Crosby Scholars of Iredell County ramping up recruitment efforts

Posted on by Mike Fuhrman
Crosby Scholars attended “Try It Tuesday” career exploration sessions this summer. Students pictured attended the June 18 session on careers in Social Work/Psychology.

Special to IFN

With the 2024-2025 school year now underway, Crosby Scholars of Iredell County is stepping up its recruitment efforts.

Since 2015, Crosby Scholars has been helping middle and high school students navigate the journey to higher education and rewarding careers.

“A new school year represents a fresh start for most students. It’s our best time to increase program participation,” Executive Director Suzanne Wegmiller said.

Crosby Scholars was well represented by staff and student ambassadors at school open house events this month. Staff also works with guidance departments and school principals year-round to promote participation.

Students can join during school events or online at www.crosbyscholarsiredell.org.

Students and parents can also attend the Crosby Scholars Open House drop-in event on September 17  at the Goodwill Workforce Development Center, located at 124 Fourth Crescent Street, Statesville. The event is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Attendees can learn about the program and speak with Crosby staff members. Representatives from community partner organizations will be available. Active participants and new enrollees will receive a T-shirt.

New student registration for the 2024-2025 school year ends December 1.

Crosby Scholars currently serves more than 1,400 Iredell County students. Participants can take advantage of career exploration opportunities. Academy sessions help to improve academic skills. College tours allow students to experience campus life and envision their future. One-on-one advice for financial aid and scholarships can help make that future possible.

Sixth- through tenth-graders are eligible to join. Program benefits, however, continue through graduation and beyond.

To remain active in Crosby Scholars, students must attend one academy session each year. They must maintain their GPA and complete at least two hours of community service.

“Volunteer requirements benefit both our partner community organizations and our students,” Wegmiller explained. “It involves and invests them in their own community. Students can also discover new skills and interests that could lead to a future career.”

SUMMER HIGHLIGHTS

Crosby Scholars recently concluded a busy summer season, with student programs that included:

• Seven “Try It Tuesday” career exploration sessions, including site visits and classroom sessions;
• Four “Workshop Wednesday” sessions focused on applying for college. The focus was test prep, essay writing, and using the CommonApp to apply for college;
• A high school college campus tour to UNC Asheville and Western Carolina University;
• A middle school college campus tour to Lenoir Rhyne University and the N.C. School of Math and Science in Morganton; and
• Leadership courses for middle schoolers, high schoolers and rising sixth- and ninth-graders

DONATIONS

Those wishing to support Crosby Scholars of Iredell County can donate online at www.crosbyscholarsiredell.org/how-to-invest/donate/.