Courtesy of North Carolina A&T State University
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University has announced its second cohort of February One Scholars. These 15 academically talented first-year undergraduates are following the path of leadership and service the A&T Four began as Aggie freshmen.
Eight scholars are from North Carolina, two are from Georgia, two are from South Carolina, and the remaining three are from California, New Jersey and Ohio. They boast an average GPA of 4.1 and ranked in the top 15% of their graduating high school class.
Eligibility requirements include a minimum weighted 3.75 cumulative GPA and demonstrated exceptional characteristics of leadership and service. Students also must hold a minimum scholastic score of 1270 on the SAT or 27 on the ACT.
“February One Scholars are change agents with the talent and ambition to transform our society,” said Margaret I. Kanipes, Ph.D., N.C. A&T Honors Program director. “Here at A&T, they will become equipped with the knowledge and skills and empowered with the support they need to pursue their goals in service to our global community.”
“These students in our second cohort of February One Scholars are among the most civic-minded in our campus community,” said Interim Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Tonya Smith-Jackson, Ph.D. “They continue our university’s legacy of leadership through their academic performance and community engagement, developing into professionals who will change our world for the better.”
The scholarship program is named for the day in 1960 when A&T freshmen Ezell Blair Jr. (Jibreel Khazan), Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil and David Richmond energized a national sit-in movement by refusing to leave a segregated lunch counter in downtown Greensboro without being served. The A&T Four are celebrated annually at the university’s Feb. 1 celebration and honored in numerous ways across the university.
The scholarship is a fully funded four-year award that covers the costs of tuition, related fees, housing, meals, and participation in University Honors Program activities and enrichment annually for five freshman each from the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, the College of Education and the John R. and Kathy R. Hairston College of Health and Human Sciences. The three colleges partnered to establish the program using a portion of philanthropist MacKenzie Scott’s historic $45 million contribution to the university.
This year’s scholars are listed below in alphabetical order:
- Jasmine Bell, daughter of Sherritta Bell and Norman Bell, is from Charlotte, North Carolina, and a graduate of Cato Middle College of High School. She is studying journalism with a concentration in public relations and minoring in English and entrepreneurship. She aspires to be a cafe owner and author who positively highlights people of color.
- Ahmad Blair, son of Dawn Blair and Forshee’ Blair, is from Gastonia, North Carolina, and a graduate of Highland School of Technology. He is studying political science and journalism. He wants to become an appellate lawyer and political journalist to help defend and tell the stories of the wrongfully accused.
- Renia Butts, daughter of Rosalyn and Edwin Butts, is from Cincinnati and a graduate of Walnut Hills High School. She is studying elementary education and desires a minor in history. She wants to be an elementary teacher and provide representation for young black children in public schools.
- Charity Carrasquillo, daughter of Charlotte and Frank Carrasquillo, is from Los Angeles and a graduate of Alliance Judy Ivie Burton Technology Academy High School. She is studying political science with a double minor in criminal justice and entrepreneurship. She wants to attend law school, specifically at Columbia University, to become a civil rights attorney primarily for minorities and extend her practice in her own law firm.
- Kayla Chiles, daughter of Kendrick Chiles and Wendy Chiles, Pharm.D, is from Columbia, South Carolina, and a graduate of Blythewood High School. She is studying psychology and plans to become a clinical psychologist and advocate for mental health in the Black community.
- Brandon Faulk, son of Willie Faulk and Alison Faulk, is from Conway, South Carolina, and a graduate of Horry County Schools Early College High School. He is studying history, secondary education with a minor in English. His career goal is to become a high school history teacher, then a principal, and inspire students to go above and beyond.
- Kenya Freeman, daughter of Carmen Byrd and Eric Freeman, is from Atlanta and a graduate of Decatur High School. She is studying elementary education. Her passion for educating stems from having influential teachers in her early years of school. She believes educating someone is the most powerful gift you can give.
- Jayden Hall-Ingram, son of Tasha Hall-Powell and Lawrence Ingram, is from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and a graduate of Simon G. Atkins High School. He is studying speech on a pre-physician assistant track. His career goal is to become a physician assistant specializing in neonatology.
- Amaya Jeffers, daughter of Alvin Jeffers and Kenya Jeffers, is from Charlotte and a graduate of Harper Middle College High School. She is studying elementary education and wants to become an elementary school teacher and become a role model for children.
- Aidan Palmer, son of Paul Palmer and Stephanie Palmer, is from Charlotte and a graduate of Mallard Creek High School. He is studying liberal studies (pre-law) with a minor in political science. He wants to become an immigration, medical malpractice, corporate, or juvenile defense attorney to provide proper representation to those who need it.
- Kasadi Richardson, daughter of Felicia Richardson and James Richardson, is from Rocky Mount, North Carolina, and a graduate of Northern Nash High School. She is studying elementary education. She wants to become a teacher and provide all students with equity, access and advocacy.
- Kayden Skeete, daughter of Mark Skeete and Dr. Karen Dudley-Skeete, is from Atlanta and a graduate of Atlanta International School. She is studying kinesiology with a concentration in exercise science. Her career goal is to become a pediatric sports medicine physician to provide care to children in underprivileged communities and decrease disparities in health care.
- Christian Smith, son of Nikki Jordan and Charles Smith, is from Murfreesboro, North Carolina, and a graduate of Hertford County Early College High School and Roanoke Chowan Community College. He is studying kinesiology with a concentration in exercise science. His career goal is to become a sports medicine physician or physician assistant, or to work with athletes in the future.
- Ryan Smith, son of Kelli Pack Smith and Anthony Smith, M.D., is from Greenville, North Carolina, and a graduate of The Oakwood School. He is studying psychology with a minor in math. He plans to become either a clinical psychologist or a sports psychologist.
- Kawama Wilson, daughter of Ama Wilson and David Wilson, is from Newark, New Jersey, and a graduate of North Star Academy Washington Park High School. She is studying elementary education. Her career goal is to be an amazing teacher and, eventually, a principal.
