The $2,000 scholarship will help McKellar with her freshman year finances at Spelman College, but the Palmer Township resident said money wasn't the primary reason she applied for the scholarship.
"I wanted people to know that there are a lot of young black people that are great," McKellar said. "I worked very hard during school, and I want people to know that."
The scholarship, sponsored by The Express-Times, memorializes Bright, an Easton civil rights leader who died in 2002.
The scholarship is awarded each year to a minority student graduating from high school or a current college student. The applicant must live in Northampton or Warren counties and "demonstrate a financial need and an understanding of improving life through learning," according to the applications.
McKellar will be awarded her scholarship tonight at the NAACP Easton branch's annual Freedom Fund banquet at Lafayette College.
"The reason we do it at the NAACP banquet is because of the love my father had for the work of the NAACP," said Waltar Bright, son of Brother Thomas W. Bright. "(My) father stood for equal rights for all. He was also a stickler for education. He wanted the children to get as much education as they could."
This marks the fifth year The Express-Times has awarded the scholarship in memory of Bright.
"I just think he had such a profound impact on the community and minority youth," said Martin K. Till, the newspaper's president and publisher.
More applications were received this year than in any of the previous years of the scholarship's history, Till said.
"We really had some extraordinary candidates this year," Till said of the 29 applications. He said it's encouraging to read the applications and see all the students' accomplishments.
The scholarship committee doesn't only look at a student's academic record. A student's involvement in the community and community service also play a part in awarding the scholarship, Till said. And McKellar's application met all the qualifications.
"She's just an engaged young lady," Till said of McKellar.
McKellar was involved in volleyball, student council, Key Club and Spanish club while in high school. She plans to study psychology at Spelman and hopes to own her own practice.Labels: education online, financial aid, free college, free education, high school, scholarship, student loans |
