WS Chronicle

In the fall of 1992, seniors at Carver and Glenn High Schools embarked on a journey that no student before had traveled when they made the decision to join Crosby Scholars, a partnership designed to prepare students for college admission.

From modest beginnings at only two high schools, today Crosby Scholars has grown to impact every high school in the local district and others in the area, graduated nearly 9,000 students, and helped more than 33,000 students prepare for college. While celebrating the success of the more than 1,000 students who represent the Crosby Class of 2018, during the annual Seniors Honors Gala held at the Benton Convention Center on April 30, Crosby supporters and sponsors also celebrated the 25th anniversary of the first graduating class, the Class of 1993.

“To the special Class of 1993 we celebrate you’re willingness to join this unknown program 25 years ago,” said Anc Newman, chairman of the Crosby Scholars Board of Directors.

“You paved the way for others including those who are standing here tonight and we thank you.”

During the keynote address Dr. Karrie Gibson Dixon, vice president of Academic and Student Affairs for the UNC System, and a member of the first graduating class said, Crosby Scholars brought a sense of energy to Carver that wasn’t there before. She said it brought energy that let them know that college can be an option.

Gibson- Dixon who currently serves as the interim chancellor at Elizabeth City State University said Crosby helped her understand the importance of planning for the future.

“I have a lot of great memories of my high school days, most of them spent with me and my friends preparing for pep rallies and basketball games and deciding what clubs we wanted to participate in and making sure everything was in order for prom,” she continued. “No matter what was going on though as a Crosby Scholar I knew I had to perform well in the classroom and plan for my future.”

While addressing the Class of 2018, Dr. Gibson-Dixon told students to always be prepared to grow and never give up on working towards their goals and dreams. She said, “…Everyone in this room at some point has felt like giving up. But I’m telling you if you feel that way keep pushing. That’s what it’s going to take.

“Keep pushing. Re-evaluate. Set additional goals and you will get there,” she continued. “…there’s a great journey ahead of you. There’s a legacy to carry on, it’s okay to take a break from time-to-time but you will have to continue on towards your greatness.”

Following the keynote address students from high schools across the county received their honorary Crosby Scholars’ pins. Scholarship recipients were also recognized during the gala.

For future Crosby Scholars, the Crosby Scholars Community Partnership has been awarded $45,000 over two years from the National College Access Network (NCAN) to fund a Near Peer Advisor at Forsyth Technical Community College.

NCAN offered the re-grant opportunity, funded by the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, “to help college access organizations establish or significantly expand success programing, and ultimately increase the rate at which low-income and first-generation students graduate.” Crosby Scholars was one of 12 organizations from across the country to be awarded the re-grant funding.

The funding will support expansion of Crosby Scholars’ Near Peer Adviser program to Crosby Scholars who enroll at Forsyth Technical Community College (Forsyth Tech) to guide them through their first year in college.

In 2017, 103 Crosby Scholars enrolled at Forsyth Tech – the largest number of the program’s graduating seniors. The Near Peer advisor at Forsyth Tech will ensure Crosby Scholars at Forsyth Tech know how to connect to on-campus resources their first year on campus. In addition, the Near Peer advisor will connect students to alumni at Forsyth Tech, so that they will have peer support and opportunities for study groups, and extra-curricular activities on campus.