CHAMPS scholarship recipient to attend "dream college"

May 15, 2009

“When I first found out that I had won the CHAMPS scholarship,” Clinton (SC) High School senior Stephanie Barksdale said, “I was immediately ecstatic and weak in the knees at the same time. It just hit me that I would have a full scholarship to the college of my dreams.”

Barksdale was chosen for the award from among 21 other graduating seniors who participate in CHAMPS, a program in which students are mentored beginning in sixth grade with the goal being for them to attend an institute of higher education. CHAMPS stands for Communities, Helping, Assisting, Motivating, Promising Students.

While she has always been a promising student, Barksdale says she was a “shy, insecure girl” when she began the program when at Martha Dendy. Even back then, she remembers hoping that she would one day receive the scholarship so that she could attend PC.

“I would always day dream what it would be like to attend PC,” she said.

The Mountville, SC native attended concerts and athletic events on campus. Since ninth grade, she also has spent a couple of weeks on campus during the summer as required of all CHAMPS students, taking classes taught by CHAMPS instructors and getting a feel for life on a college campus.

“During the four summer programs she lived on the PC campus,” CHAMPS director Dr. Jerman Disasa said, “she exemplified what it takes to be a student leader. She helped new students to overcome the challenges of homesickness; she volunteered to speak on behalf of the students; she remained consistent with her love of learning; and she completed tasks promptly.

“Her decency, cheerfulness, spirituality, confidence, and plain happiness add a significant meaning to her academic focus and thereby embolden her stubbornness to succeed.”

At Clinton High School Barksdale became interested in teaching while participating in Teacher Cadets, a program that introduces high school students to the teaching profession. She plans to major in English and minor in middle school education at PC. She wants to teach middle school when she graduates. She also plans to become as involved as possible in service-related activities and organizations on campus, including serving as a CHAMPS mentor.

“The program has taught me so much from community service, to remaining focused on my schoolwork, to building a stronger relationship with the Lord,” Barksdale said. “I want to show (CHAMPS students) my thanks and appreciation and just give back to them and try to make a difference in (their) lives.”

All 22 CHAMPS students who are seniors in high school will graduate and attend college. In addition to Barksdale, two others will attend PC. Three CHAMPS students currently attend PC, and two recently graduated.  

posted by Stacy Dyer '96
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