In The News - Forsyth Family - Crosby Scholars: A Pathway to Success
Forsyth Family - Crosby Scholars: A Pathway to Success
Saturday, December 18, 2010
By Maria Glazener
As I watch my daughter go through her elementary years, I know it will be just a blink of an eye and she will be heading off to college. My head and my heart ache, thinking about how fast time flies. There are so many choices and decisions that go into following a college path. I was thankful to get the chance to meet Mona Lovett,
Executive Director of Crosby Scholars. Mona joined the Crosby Scholars in 1996.
The Crosby Scholars was established in 1992 to serve two high schools with the lowest SAT scores in Forsyth County. The Crosby Scholars Program has now grown to include every public middle and high school in the county. The program is exclusive to Forsyth County and offers assistance to middle and high school students by preparing them for successful college enrollment.
Anyone attending school in Forsyth County can enroll in this free program. Enrollment starts in 6th grade, with 10th grade being the last year a student can join the Scholars program. There are no applications for juniors or seniors.
There is an online application form that is available in September. The deadline is October 1st each year. The students fill out a partnership agreement, which states they will demonstrate good citizenship in their school and community and will not do anything that would place them in an out-of-school suspension situation. They must attend one Crosby Scholar Academy each year and perform at least 2 hours of documented community service.
Crosby Scholar Academy helps students learn the essential college preparatory skills. These skills include note taking, communication skills, conflict resolution, study skills and test-taking skills. The academy also helps students learn how to make key curriculum decisions, based on college requirements. A commitment to higher learning is the foundation of the program.
The Crosby Scholars Program has awarded over $3 million in “last dollars” grants since 1992 to help meet unmet financial needs. The Program has also leveraged $31 million in financial aid and scholarships since 1992, by connecting students to outside funding.
The Crosby Scholars Program goal is to empower all students to see college as a realistic possibility, regardless of their financial situation. The program boasts special enrichment Programs, which include: College Bus Trips–these allow rising eighth graders and high school seniors to tour and visit our North Carolina colleges and universities. Career Day–a day where rising 8th graders get the chance to learn about a variety of careers.
College Night–a fun night, held at the Benton Convention Center and sponsored by the W-S/Forsyth County Schools, which gives students the chance to meet representatives from over 150 colleges across the country
face-to-face.
Senior and Grade Advisors–Adult volunteers who help guide students through the college admission and financial aid process. Although the Crosby golf tournament has long since ended, Katherine Crosby and her daughter continue to honor the tradition with a Crosby Scholars Invitational Golf Tournament. This 7th annual fundraiser will be held in the spring of 2011, on Tuesday, May 24th.
There are so many more programs, workshops and opportunities to list. If you would like more information, please visit the Crosby Scholars website at www.crosbyscholars.org. Before you know it, those sweet toothless
smiles will be walking out the door for college, and being a Crosby Scholar is one program that can lead them in the right direction for college and for life!