Photo: A group of 2023 Selby Scholarship Selection Committee Members. From left: Megan Wenger, Kiarra Womack (Selby Foundation’s Scholarships and Special Projects Manager), Susan Gorin, Lem Andrews
It’s my first season closely observing the Selby Scholarship selection process. The finely tuned steps make it work so well, and the results will determine those who will receive generous college scholarships for four years. These students will continue in their leadership and education journeys as contributors to communities around the country.
Reading the academic goals, career aspirations, and life circumstances of students gives me renewed hope about what is possible in our world. It also awakens me to what young people are facing in their lives.
Scholarships and Special Projects Manager Kiarra Womack starts the selection process by choosing diverse volunteers for the Selection Committee. Members have unique lived experiences, knowledge about student success, and understanding of our education system.
Examples of their varied backgrounds include: a recent scholarship recipient, a retired school district Superintendent of 28 years, a program director in a local youth-serving nonprofit, a former student mental health professional. Some members have served on the Selection Committee for several years, with established familiarity in the process; others are new members, offering fresh perspectives.
Each Selection Committee member individually reviews impressive applications from graduating seniors in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties. They devote hours to this process.
In their first sets of in-person meetings earlier this month, four groups of Committee members gathered to discuss the merits of scholarship applicants based on the five factors:
- Academic preparedness
- Academic rigor
- Commitment
- Resourcefulness
- Resilience
Each group then chose 15 semi-finalists who will advance to in-person interviews at our office.
The Selby Foundation values of humanity, humility, social responsibility, innovation and stewardship are engrained in every conversation. Selection Committee members know this scholarship opportunity will change the life of each selected student.
Excitement is building as we move closer to the student interviews. I can feel the butterflies in my own stomach as I think about the door opening to our warm and welcoming office for the 60 finalists who will join us later this month.
I can’t wait to learn what students will be chosen, knowing that tough deliberations will be part of the process through the end. Stay tuned to be introduced to this year’s Selby Scholars in May!
-Susie Bowie
President/CEO