Making the grade
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on December 17, 2014 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/MELISSA KEY
Quiyonna Artis smiles with pride as she receives a certificate for her $20,000 scholarship to Appalachian State University at Grantham School on Friday afternoon. The minority fourth-grade student with the highest math scores on end of grade tests receives this scholarship every year.
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News-Argus/MELISSA KEY
Sherry and Jesse Artis express pride in their daughter, Quiyonna Artis, during ceremonies at the school Friday afternoon.
Sherry Artis was so proud of her fourth-grade daughter receiving a $20,000 scholarship to Appalachian State University that she wrote an acceptance speech.
Quiyonna Artis, a student at Grantham School, was named this year's recipient of the annual award, given to the county's minority student with the highest score on the third-grade end-of-grade math test.
When the ceremony was held in the school's media center, her parents, Jesse and Sherry Artis, wearing coordinating yellow shirts, were bursting with pride.
"This is a shock to me," her father said, recalling the day they got the call about their "smart daughter."
Knowing that children can be embarrassed by their parents coming into the classroom, he said he had recently teased Quiyonna and her twin sister, Keetonia, posing a rhetorical question -- "What would you do if I got on my knees, gave you $100 then told you, 'I love you?'"
The girls did not take the bait, he said. Keetonia promptly told him she'd take the money and ask him to leave. Quiyonna was more diplomatic.
"She said, 'Dad, I would take the money and nicely tell you to get up and go on,'" he said.
It was only a few minutes after that scenario played out that Artis got a call from his wife with the news about the scholarship.
"Wow!" he said. "The same thing I was just talking about just happened. I didn't get on my knees but I said (to Quiyonna), 'You got your $100."
Mrs. Artis, prepared speech in hand, gushed about her child.
"Who would have thought my baby would receive a scholarship at the age of 10?" she said.
The mother of six children said she never understood the concept of "old soul" until Quiyonna came along. The "little mama" is a role model for her siblings, Mrs. Artis said, as well as a good student.
"Your getting this scholarship is possibly one of the best things that has ever happened to you. We want you to know it's OK to be a little girl. You're just 10 years old," she told her daughter, adding, "Together, we can accomplish anything. God did His thing when He chose me and your dad to be your parents.
"Our prayer is for you to be happy and to be all you can be. No matter what, we're very proud of you and your accomplishments.
Grantham Principal Lisa Denning-Tart praised the parents.
"These are two of the best parents you will ever come upon in this business. And all of their children are wonderful," she said. "They support us and we support them, and that's when you get results, when people work together."
The winner of the scholarship is selected based on scoring of the achievement test at the end of third grade. Recipients must meet ASU's admissions requirements and major in either math or science. The award is renewable if the student maintains at least a 2.5 grade point average.
The scholarship has been presented since 1993-94, when an anonymous donor established the annual award to help facilitate cultural diversity at the college while benefiting students in Wayne and Craven counties. Quiyonna became the 22nd student in the district to receive the award, the eighth girl and the second recipient from Grantham School.
"Quiyonna, this is your day. It's a big day because what you have coming is almost a free ride. The opportunities that are before you are just tremendous," said Dr. Anthony Calamai, dean of the College of Arts and Science at ASU. "Stick to the grinding wheel. Keep your math up. Keep your science up and the world is yours." In addition to a plaque acknowledging the award, ASU officials presented Quiyonna with other ASU memorabilia, including notebooks, pencils and tote bags.