Two seniors students recently received full ride scholarship offers from high level universities. Seniors Alex Lopez and Nia Murat, have received prestigious offers from their top choices to further pursue their learning.

Alex Lopez received the Avid 12 Act Six scholarship from George Fox University. Act Six is a leadership and scholarship program that connects local faith- based community affiliates with faith- and social justice-based colleges to equip emerging urban and community leaders. The program began because NLF or Northwest Leadership Foundation was frustrated that many talented students were not able to finish their college degrees. The name, Act Six, was inspired by Acts 6:1-7, a chapter in the Bible that speaks of how early churches dealt with the unequal food distribution. The scholarship granted Lopez with $200,000 to use towards tuition at George Fox. Lopez has always wanted to attend George Fox University, but wasn’t sure if he was going to be able to afford it. “It was really expensive, so I thought about all of the other local public four year universities. But my number one choice was always George Fox, ” Lopez said. Ms. Hodgson in AVID 10 was the one who brought the scholarship to Lopez’s attention. “In one class, we had a presentation done by the director of the foundation who provides the scholarship,” Lopez said. “I immediately knew I was going to apply for it.” Lopez plans on using this scholarship to the fullest extent. “Right now I am planning on majoring in computer science, with possibly a music minor,” Lopez commented. Both of these subjects have been passions of his throughout high school and are passions he wants to continue throughout college.

Another student that has been awarded with a full-ride scholarship is Nia Murat. Murat was the Queens University Presidential Scholarship which is a full tuition scholarship award. Queens University of Charlotte is located in North Carolina. The scholarship is highly prestigious, and to even apply you have to have SAT scores above 1200 and be at the top 5 percent of your class. “I got wind of the scholarship when I applied for financial aid,” Murat said. “When you submit a scholarship application for Queens, you can submit an essay and a resume to be considered for the Presidential Scholarship.” There is a video of Murat receiving a phone call from to university, being granted the award. In the video, Murat breaks down in tears of joy. “When I got the call, I was really confused for a second. Then I felt so excited and grateful. It was like a weight was lifted from my shoulders, and I felt physically lighter” Murat said, “I was so happy it drove me to tears, something the video will never let me forget).” The only thing running through Murats mind at the moment was that, “my mom doesn’t need to worry anymore. God has us.” Murat plans on majoring in creative writing and take full advantage of the opportunities at Queen’s and in Charlotte to grow herself and her desire to help the world. “As of this moment, I want to become a writer or an editor after college, but I’m not sure where I’ll be in four years,” Murat said.