A Legacy of Achievers

My mom is the most outstanding teacher I have ever learned from. From demonstrating essential life skills to supporting my personal and professional development, my mom instilled in us that every generation should get better, but the most valuable lesson she instilled: no one can take away your education.

I am one of five children, and we are all products of Title 1 schools. Don’t get me wrong, we didn’t go hungry or anything of that nature. We have a determined father that worked hard to get us everything we wanted. But it was the basics. We went to the local public schools and received free lunch for many years. My siblings and I never really understood how our financial situation impacted our education, but we soaked up knowledge because it was the one thing that truly belonged to and was expected of us.
We each followed a different path once we turned 18. I enlisted in the U.S. Army and served our country before earning my bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina. My brothers and sister pursued their own careers, but I’m blessed to say that we all attended a four-year program and have either earned or are on the way to a master’s degree. To be honest, I’m lucky to say that. Not everyone had advocates pushing them to learn and grow. We did and took advantage of it.

I’m launching Palmetto Achievers so South Carolina’s Title 1 students can have meaningful opportunities to reach their goals and create their dream lives. The state’s lower-income schools suffer educational setbacks, but this organization is here to provide the resources students need to succeed in their post-graduate academic careers.

Palmetto Achievers set a goal to award nine scholarships annually throughout South Carolina. In our inaugural year, we are providing three scholarships for a fifth, eighth and twelfth-grade student in the Upstate. By summer 2025, we intend to include three students from both the Midlands and Lowcountry.
Award money for younger students will be put in an interest-earning account in their name and can only be withdrawn upon graduation for direct payment to the in-state college, university or trade school of their choice. The senior scholarship will be paid directly to the institution.

John Dewey, the founder of pragmatism and a pioneer of education, said it best – “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” Palmetto Achievers will help educate and sustain today’s youth for future generations through scholarships and resources. By enabling high-poverty students the chance to change their lives through learning, I know we can build a new legacy in South Carolina’s educational system.