The Greek dramatist Euripides — who famously said, “Whosoever neglects learning in his youth, loses his past and is dead to the future” — probably would be impressed by Wesley Gordon.
A Columbus High School student, Gordon, 18, is one of only 700 winners, nationwide, of a National Achievement Scholarship, worth $2,500.
“I”ve been really blessed,” Gordon said of being awarded the scholarship, which he said gives him an “edge” in the college admissions process. “It opens a lot of doors. It kind of sets you apart from all the other high-achieving scholars. I wouldn”t have gotten so many offers as I did, if I hadn”t been (named an award winner).”
Gordon — who participates in sports, like cross-country running and track, played the saxophone in the school band, mentors freshmen and tutors fifth- and sixth-graders at the Boys and Girls Club of East Central Mississippi — is “95 percent” certain he”ll attend Harvard University, the campus of which he will tour at the end of the month.
“It would have been horrible for me not to go,” he said, smiling. “I”ve worked really hard for it, so I couldn”t really turn Harvard down.
“They gave me the most money of a private school; their financial aid is really good,” he added, noting he plans to major in biomedical engineering and attend medical school to be an orthopedic surgeon.
Gordon credits his parents, Wade and Geraldine Gordon, with his disciplined focus on studying.
“It”s really a habit now,” he explained. “My parents always made it seem like it was what I should do or the cool thing to do. I don”t have to think about it now; I just do it.”
Asked if he had any words of advice encouraging his fellow students to develop good study habits, Gordon responded, “In my experience, you can tell someone all you want to about the importance of not being lazy and doing your work and it may get across, but, until they actually feel the disappointment of lacking an education, (they won”t understand). Experience is ultimately the best teacher. That”s the best message or an example of someone who did like it.”
Gordon also noted support he”s received from his school counselors, CHS administration and “some teachers, here and there, who”ve had an influence.”
Of his 15-year-old sister, Skyler, he added, “I see big things for her. She”s going to have a higher rank in the class than I do.”
Gordon will graduate from Columbus High School in May.
A Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science student also was named as a winner of a $2,500 National Achievement Scholarship.
Charnele T. Dawson, of Cleveland, received the scholarship; Dawson plans to enter the field of pediatrics.
Established in 1964, the National Achievement Scholarship Program is a privately financed academic competition honoring scholastically talented black American youth.
More than 29,500 participants will receive scholarships worth more than $93 million during the 2009 program, which consists of 45 annual competitions.
Scholarship awards are financed through grants from more than 40 corporate organizations, professional associations and by the National Merit Scholarship Corp.
The program is conducted by National Merit Scholarship Corp, a non-profit organization operating without government assistance.
The National Achievement $2,500 Scholarship is a single-payment scholarship awarded on a regional representation basis.
Achievement Scholar awardees are candidates judged to have the strongest record of accomplishments and the greatest potential for academic success in college.
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