Local seventh-grader receives $20,000 scholarship for college
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on November 19, 2008 1:46 PM
Dolce Munoz
A seventh-grader at Brogden Middle School was one of 10 middle school students in the state to receive a college scholarship worth up to $20,000.
Dulce Munoz, described by a teacher as a hard-working, dedicated student, was named Monday as a recipient of the College Foundation Inc. Victor E. Bell Jr. Scholarship.
This is the second year for the scholarship award, developed to encourage high-potential North Carolina seventh grade students to aspire to a college education.
Students are nominated by invitation-only to middle school counselors and principals. The College Foundation held a random drawing to choose six recipients from each of the state's six regions. Four other recipients were drawn from college readiness groups and the remaining nominees.
Foundation officials reported that individual awards are $2,000 a year, from middle school through four years of college, up to $20,000 per recipient as long as the student meets annual renewal criteria. Awards are contributed to an account with the student named as beneficiary.
Wayne County Public Schools' officials expressed pride in having a student named to the list.
"Our schools begin preparing students for college and career starting with their first day of school," said Dr. Steven Taylor, schools superintendent. "This scholarship not only helps make it possible for Ms. Munoz to pursue higher education, but it also encourages other middle school students to want to work hard academically so they can one day earn college scholarships of their own."
Kimica Davis, one of Dulce's teachers at Brogden, explained why her student was a good choice for the honor.
"Dulce is a great example of a star student," she said. "She is hard-working, helpful, positive and always ready to do her best. She brought 110 percent to the classroom every single day and reminded me of the reason why I wanted to become a teacher. It is exciting to watch a student continue to grow and be excited about learning."