Student receives $1.8M in scholarships, including full rides to six top universities

MARIETTA — The Foundation for Ensuring Access and Equity announced that on Sunday, Turner Chapel AME Church in Marietta will host its 10th annual High School Graduation Celebration Worship Service. For Paulding County High School's Kimberly Hadaway, the blessings are overflowing with full scholarships to six of the country's top colleges: Princeton, Duke, Vanderbilt, Washington and Lee, Amherst and Williams.

For the past 10 years, the church's Education Ministry Leaders, Mychal and Nina Wynn, a college planning couple who operate the Foundation for Ensuring Access and Equity's nationally recognized "College Planning Cohort™ Program," began inspiring elementary school students through the church's biannual academic celebrations to aspire toward big college-bound dreams.

The Wynns have been guiding Kimberly's college trajectory since she was a third grader. First, through test prep for Georgia's CRCT testing as an elementary and middle school student. Then, by developing a 7-year middle-through-high school course schedule, heavy in advanced math, science, and Advanced Placement classes. Then, by encouraging Kimberly to make a commitment to leadership and community service. Finally, putting Kimberly on the radar of selective institutions with need-based, "no loans," financial aid policies by applying to their 'Diversity Weekend' programs.

Kimberly and her mother worked together as a team to follow the plan. Kimberly took each class that Mr. Wynn outlined, earned an "A" in each class, earned a final grade of 100+ over 50 times, earned a passing score on 17 AP exams, and achieved an ACT Score in the 99th percentile nationally ("33") by Mr. Wynn's deadline — June of her junior year of high school.

Kimberly is 1 of 183 high school seniors from throughout the State of Georgia to be selected as 2017 Georgia Scholars, will serve on the National Elks Scholar Advisory Board, and was offered admission to the prestigious Meyerhoff Scholars Program at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County.

Kimberly was also offered admission and scholarships to Swarthmore, Xavier University of Louisiana, Spelman College, and Howard University.

Mr. Wynn reflects on Kimberly's remarkable achievement, "The advice that we offered Kimberly, as a third grader, is the same as we offer every student — a student's coursework, grades, and test scores represent the most direct pathway to being offered a full college scholarship. As a result of accepting our guidance, putting forth the effort to become a top student, and applying to the 'right' colleges, Kimberly is deserving of her $1.8 million in scholarship offers."

Kimberly's mother, Yvette Ifill, still overwhelmed by the enormity of it all, said, "I am a native of Guyana who knew nothing about the U.S. public education system. Without the Wynns guidance, the Turner Chapel AME Church's College Planning Cohort, and our small group coach, Mrs.

Kim Sackey, this would not have been possible. My daughter has always been a good student, but being a good student is not enough. The Wynns exposed Kimberly to Diversity Weekend opportunities, reviewed all of her college essays, assisted her in preparing for interviews, and interacted with college admissions and financial aid officers on our behalf. They have held our hand, step-by-step since Kimberly was in elementary school."

Rev. Don Ezell, Youth Pastor of the Turner Chapel AME Church, notes, "For the past 10 years, as Education Ministry Leaders, Mychal and Nina Wynn, have been guiding students in our church into top colleges and millions of dollars in scholarships. Many of our students have attended the best undergraduate programs on full scholarships, with many of whom now attending and graduating from the best graduate schools, law schools, and medical school programs. As a parent, I cannot think of anyone better qualified to assist students with their college planning, particularly students from lower-income families. This year, we also have students who have received full scholarship offers to Amherst College, Clark Atlanta, Tennessee State, Indiana University Purdue University-Indianapolis, Brenau, and Dillard University."

For more information, visit www.accessandequity.org.

Source: Student receives $1.8M in scholarships, including full rides to six top universities