Top merit scholarships go to NL senior, host of others in LCPS’s Class of 2021
Jamir Jones-Gatling of North Lenoir High School, winner of North Carolina A&T University’s premiere undergraduate merit scholarship and one of 21 seniors in LCPS’s Class of 2021 to earn top merit scholarships awarded on the basis of academic achievement and personal qualities and valued together at more than $2.1 million. Submitted photo.
Don’t let his easy-going, soft-spoken style fool you. Jamir Jones-Gatling likes to push himself, to put himself out on a limb. A senior who’s loaded his schedule at North Lenoir High School with demanding AP and college-credit classes, a two-sport athlete, a teenager who holds down an after-school job, he’s an 18-year-old who, in his own words, always tries “to get the best out of myself.”
It’s a quality – that combination of determination and confidence – that must have become apparent to the people at North Carolina A&T University trying to shorten the long list of applicants for the university’s premiere undergraduate merit scholarship. When the time came to choose 20 winners from the 130 finalists for the Dowdy Scholars Program, North Carolina A&T chose Jamir Jones-Gatling.
“I got the full ride now so there’s just a lot of stress off of me,” Jamir said. “Now I just have to make sure I do what I need to do and keep (the scholarship) and don’t have to pay for college.”
That same sense of relief has come to a score of LCPS seniors – and their parents – this spring as colleges and universities made decisions about their top merit scholarships, about choosing those students they expect to be the cream of their Class of 2025. Students like Jamir, who have known little but success in high school, put themselves through an intense, competitive selection process that’s fraught with disappointment but rich with the potential for success.
And rich is the operative word.
At the district’s three traditional high schools alone, 21 seniors earned merit scholarships – those given on the basis of academic achievement and personal qualities – valued at more than $2.1 million. That total excludes scholarship offers from school students decided not to attend, scholarships under $20,000, along with grants and other financial considerations. Typically, an LCPS graduating class leaves high school with $10 million to $12 million in scholarships.
The Dowdy is worth $77,000 to Jamir and his parents, Tiffany Jones Gatling and Dion Gatling of Kinston. Students chosen for the Dowdy Scholars Program, named for N.C. A&T’s sixth president and first chancellor, Dr. Lewis C. Dowdy, and his wife Elizabeth, have earned a four-year renewable scholarship that includes tuition, related fees, room and board.
They had to work for it.
“Merit scholarships put the best and brightest students up against each other. The application and interview process can be lengthy, and stressful,” said Rachel Hewitt, the school counselor at North Lenoir High who’s teamed up with Jamir. “We try to help our students prepare by assisting them with the applications and holding mock interviews to help them feel more comfortable. Jamir did a great job with his applications and in his mock interviews, but he can be too humble about his success, both in and outside of the classroom.”
For Jamir, the process started with an application submitted in October and ended in March with a schedule of virtual Honors Weekend events and interviews. In between, there were essays to write and interview questions to answer on videotape. “Once you became a finalist they really got you involved with the A&T community. It was a whole experience,” he said.
These graduating seniors from North Lenoir, South Lenoir and Kinston have been through a similar experience and emerged as winners. Students are identified with the college they’re attending and the merit scholarships they’ve won.
Christina Aguilar (NL) – Elon University Commitment Scholarship, Elon University Presidential Scholarship and Elon University Teaching Fellow Scholarship, valued together at $146,000
Tyler Bradshaw (SL) – University of Mount Olive Merit Scholarship, $24,000
Holly Bruner (SL) – Campbell University Scott-Ellis Merit Scholarship, $88,000
Mariana Crespo (SL) -- University of Mount Olive Merit Scholarship, $24,000
Ny’Jeem Davis (NL) – High Point University Presidential Fellowship Scholarship, $56,000
Ericka Fields (KHS) – UNC-Wilmington Distinguished Merit Scholarship, 1898 Teal-Transformation Scholarship, valued together at $40,000
Kahlia Hargett (KHS), Hyatt Foundation Scholarship to UNC-Greensboro, $28,000
Ashlynn Holloman (SL) – East Carolina University Centennial Fellow Honors College Scholarship, James H. and Connie M. Mayard Scholarship, Hyatt Scholarship, valued together at $58,000
Sara Jones (NL) – University of South Carolina Honors College Scholarship, $85,000
Jamir Jones-Gatling (NL) – NC A&T University Dowdy Scholarship, $77,000
Jalen Moore (KHS) – Lenoir-Rhyne Scholar Program, $52,000
Nikeria Morgan (NL) – Wingate University Merit Scholarship, $22,000
Nya People (KHS) – Nellie M. Broom/Sally B. Hill Scholarship to UNC-Greensboro, $40,000
Gracie Reavis (SL) – East Carolina University Honors College Chancellor’s Scholarship, $30,000
Rey Salinas (SL) – Methodist University Opportunity Scholarship, $76,000
Kennedy Sullivan (NL) – Meredith College Impact Scholarship, Meredith College Honors College, valued together at $100,000
Daniel Sykes (SL) – University of Mount Olive Presidential Leadership Scholarship, $32,000
Savannah Tyndall (SL) -- Campbell University Scott-Ellis Merit Scholarship, $86,400
Dylan Ward (SL) -- Methodist University Opportunity Scholarship, $76,000
Cameron Williams (NL) – NC A&T Merit Scholarship, $28,000
Taylor Wolf (SL) – Wingate University Presidential Scholarship, $88,000
No doubt they are all thanking their lucky stars. Probably they’re also remembering to thankfully credit some people they’re lucky to have in their corner. Jamir did.
“Throughout my life, my parents have always put me in the best situation and made sure they got the best out of me no matter what it was. If I ever started to slack or not to show who I really am, they would always get on me. I really feel like the parents are why I’m where I’m at today. They still push me, even now,” he said.
“The counselors always make sure we’re aware of the opportunities. At one point this year, we were getting 10 emails a day about scholarship opportunities,” he said. “We’re getting opportunities and it’s just on us to take advantage of them at this point.”
