by: Nicoline Hansen
Parkland Phi Theta Kappa students Grace Shirley and Toby Fountain have been selected as recipients of the $1,000 Coca-Cola “Leaders of Promise” scholarship after having shown academic excellence and leadership potential in their communities.
Almost 900 students applied for the scholarship which is sponsored by Coca-Cola. The program has awarded a total of $207,000 to students who are Phi Theta Kappa honors students.
Phi Theta Kappa is an honors society with nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 different nations. The society has more than 3,5 million members.
The recipients of the scholarship have been selected based on leadership potential, scholastic achievement and community service; these are things the two Parkland students have shown.
Grace Shirley’s major is early childhood education while Toby Fountain is in the nursing program at Parkland College. Both students describe the great economic impact the scholarship will have on them and how it will be a steppingstone for them to reach their desired goals.
“I was motivated to apply [for the scholarship] because I had previously been awarded three scholarships for my first two semesters at Parkland College,” Fountain said. “This helped me realize how much scholarships really help. Even though it’s not an easy process applying to every scholarship possible, just having the chance to be awarded one made it worth it in my eyes.”
Shirley described that she felt very lucky and grateful when she found out she had been awarded the “Leaders of Promise” scholarship. The scholarship will help pay for her education while still doing the volunteer work she is passionate about.
Shirley has been volunteering in her church’s nursery since she was 12 years old. She also volunteers at the Early Childhood Education Center in Champaign and works with preschool kids every Tuesday and Thursday. In addition, she volunteers and helps a church club for kids called, “The Wanders Club,” which she has been a part of herself. Shirley has also had numerous opportunities to babysit children of different ages and enjoys running 5Ks for special causes.
“It’s really fun [to volunteer] and I enjoy it,” Shirley said. “It gives me hands-on experience”.
When asked what set her aside from other people who applied for the scholarship, Shirley explained that she is not entirely sure. She shared that she is not one of those people who expects to receive the scholarships she applies for. However, she thinks that it had something to do with the fact that she has always known what her goals were and that she has actively pursued those goals through her volunteer work.
Fountain also believes his volunteer work for the community was an important factor in him being selected for the scholarship.
“I am a member and active participator in my community including teaching at my local church, updating and working with the Kickapoo Mountain Bike Club, fundraising for the Kickapoo Rail Trail and have volunteered at Carle Hospital for three consecutive summers now,” Fountain said.
Fountain also explained that he was jumping up and down with joy when he first heard that he had been selected as a recipient for the scholarship.
“My second thought was that I won’t be drinking Pepsi products again,” Fountain said.
“This award will help financially but can also help in my application process as I transfer schools. It helps show my dedication and work ethic to the schools that I will be applying to”
Fountain explains that one of his short-term goals is to get his associate degree in science from Parkland College. Afterwards, he has plans to transfer to the University of Illinois and work towards a bachelor’s degree in nursing. He hopes to do all of this without acquiring any debt; the scholarship will help him reach this goal.
“This award will help financially but can also help in my application process as I transfer schools. It helps show my dedication and work ethic to the schools that I will be applying to,” Fountain said.
Shirley described how the scholarship will help her reach her goals and allow her to follow her desired path. Some of her goals are to finish her associate degree in early childhood education and then work with children for a few years as a TA before transferring to Illinois State University to get her bachelor’s in special education.
“… I want to support students with disabilities as they learn to overcome their difficulties and to become as independent as possible,” Shirley said. “This passion comes from personal experience and encourages me to make the most of every opportunity that is provided to me.”
Shirley was diagnosed with epilepsy as an infant and with learning disabilities later in elementary school. She has often been met by doctors and educators who have tried to discourage her from pursuing higher education. However, Shirley has always felt strongly about proving these people wrong, especially with the help of her mom’s support.
“I do not view these difficulties as burdens,” Shirley said. “Rather I see them as an ever–increasing resume of experiences that I can share with and use to encourage others facing difficulties with their schooling.”
Both students are very grateful for the scholarship and thank Coca-Cola for the opportunity.
