PEARCY -- Henderson State University and Lake Hamilton High School announced a special scholarship Monday designated specifically for honor graduates from the school.
The new Wolf Reddie Scholarship is available to cover any gaps between financial aid and scholarship awards of Lake Hamilton honor graduates and their tuition and fees to Henderson. No minimum ACT score is required for the scholarship, but students will be required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
"What better way to celebrate two fine educational institutions than a partnership between Henderson State and Lake Hamilton," Lake Hamilton School District Superintendent Steve Anderson said.
Current Lake Hamilton seniors exceeding or nearly meeting the requirements for honors distinctions were invited to Lake Hamilton Wolf Arena Monday morning for the announcement. Representatives from Henderson were on hand to provide additional information about the scholarship to students.
"I want to let you know how proud Henderson is to recognize your abilities and your commitment to learning," Steve Adkison, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Henderson, said. "It has been said great abilities confer great responsibility. I think that is important for you all to remember right now.
"Each of you has the choice to either passively stick to the comfort of what you know or you can broaden your outlook and engage the wider world around you."
The class of 2017 at Lake Hamilton included five students who graduated with highest honors, 23 with high honors and 20 with honors.
"This morning I would like to remind you that if you do not use your education to make the world a better place for yourselves and those around you, then your futures will always be limited by your past," Adkison said. "That is no way to live your life.
"Henderson State University is committed to helping you engage in your future and that is why we are offering the Wolf Reddie Scholarship. We want to make it possible for each one of you, regardless of your family's financial resources, to be able to attend college."
Graduates with highest honors maintained all As in grades 9-12 and completed a minimum of five Advanced Placement courses. High honors requires a grade point average of at least 3.75 and a minimum of three AP courses. Students must maintain a GPA of at least 3.5 and complete two AP courses to graduate with honors.
Adkison said the scholarship program is designed to focus on students who have the determination to complete a rigorous academic program. He said Henderson does not believe ACT scores are the sole indicator of college readiness.
"The students who receive the scholarship are the very students we want to see at Henderson State," Adkison said. "We don't have any doubt that they are ready to succeed."
Lake Hamilton administrators stressed the value of the scholarship for Lake Hamilton graduates and their families.
"It means a lot and you are going to find that your educational level has a lot to do with the opportunities presented to you," Lake Hamilton High School Principal Frank Stapleton said.
"As you leave high school, you will quickly learn that going into higher education is not cheap," Anderson said. "It is expensive. Any time you have an opportunity to earn a scholarship and take advantage of scholarship opportunities is going to be a plus for you and for your parents."
The Wolf Reddie Scholarship is the second high school partnership established by Henderson. The Badger College and Career Reddie Scholarship program was announced in January 2016 for Arkadelphia High School students who graduate with advanced diplomas.
Henderson previously placed Lindsay Weston at Lake Hamilton High School as a college and career readiness coach.
"In Lindsay's work at Lake Hamilton, she has brought in speakers and activities that allow students to begin to prepare for their futures, whether that be in the classroom or in the workplace," Brandie Benton, associate provost for enrollment services and admissions, said.
Recipients of the Wolf Reddie Scholarship must enroll and complete 15 college hours per semester. Students can renew the scholarship for eight consecutive semesters as long as they complete 30 credit hours and maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA for each academic year.
Local on 10/24/2017