Two Memphis students get over $18 million in scholarship offers
A tradition of academic achievement at Whitehaven High School continues this year, with graduating seniors receiving millions of dollars' worth of scholarship offers from hundreds of colleges and universities.
Since Principal Vincent J. Hunter launched Academic Signing Day several years ago to highlight classroom achievement, the school's seniors have raked in big bucks in scholarships from schools nationwide courting them. This year is no exception.
Over $8 million in scholarships, acceptance into at least 1 school in each state
More than half a dozen high achievers talked last week about their success stories at the school, which the data website Niche has said ranks highly in SAT/ACT scores, state testing and enrollment in Advanced Placement classes, among other factors.
"I have to say I owe it all to the guidance counselors," said Sarolyn Fox, 18, who will attend the University of Tennessee at Martin. "If it weren't for them, I probably would never have applied to as many schools as I did."
Fox received $8.9 million in scholarship offers from about 200 schools — at least one school in each state.
Over $10 million in scholarship offers
Then there's Meaghen Jones, who leads the way with $10.7 million in offers from 213 schools.
"I'll just piggyback on what Sarolyn said," Jones added. "The counselors made sure we were part of the school's optional program, which boosted our GPAs and prepared us for the ACT and SAT."
Headed to Tennessee State University in the fall
Jones will attend Tennessee State University in Nashville, where she will be joined by another of Whitehaven's top achievers, Jayla Woods. Woods got $8.9 million in offers from about 160 schools.
"I have always wanted to attend an HBCU (historically black colleges and universities)," said Woods, who wants to be a sports dietitian. "I want to do a double major in nutrition and athletic training, and TSU will let me do that."
It's no accident that TSU came looking for Jones and Woods. The school has targeted high achievers like them as a way to improve the university's retention and graduation rates.
'Experience TSU' initiative
TSU President Glenda Glover also announced sweeping changes in 2016 to raise admission standards aimed at attracting the best and brightest students. And TSU's "Experience TSU" initiative sought out the top students from four specific markets — Memphis; Nashville; Birmingham, Alabama; and Atlanta.
At Whitehaven, Alexis Nesbitt, Kassi Wallace, Jada Palmer and Ramesha James join Fox, Woods and Jones as top achievers.
All the students spoke of the family atmosphere, with generations of friends and family attending there, as part of the conducive learning environment that allowed them to achieve.
"It's really personal to us," Hunter, the principal, told ABC News last year as the school's academic success gained national attention.
An alumnus of the school himself, Hunter noted that 32 staff members graduated from Whitehaven.
Woods, an only child, said her parents were an important factor in her success as well as the family environment at school.
Woods' parents, Vearnon and Jacquelyn Woods, are college graduates.
"They are the biggest influence in my life," Woods said. "They push me every step of the way to be successful in everything I undertake. So, I guess I am trying to follow in their footsteps to be the best person I can be."