GAFFNEY

Scholars Academy graduates move past perfection to embrace high expectationsFree Access





Karson Womack receives a custom Scholars Academy graduation stole May 23 during a celebration dinner. All eight Scholars Academy graduates were presented with stoles to wear during their high school graduations to symbolize their academic achievement. (Ledger photo by SCOTT POWELL)

Karson Womack receives a custom Scholars Academy graduation stole May 23 during a celebration dinner. All eight Scholars Academy graduates were presented with stoles to wear during their high school graduations to symbolize their academic achievement. (Ledger photo by SCOTT POWELL)

A perfectionist at heart, Emma Womack still remembers the rude awakening about college expectations when her class received their first chemistry test results.

She was among the first students to attend the Scholars Academy at Limestone University in 2020. The school invited its best and brightest to take advanced placement, college and high school honors courses.

“I’ve always been a perfectionist in school and always wanted perfect grades” Emma Womack recalled May 23 at a Scholars Academy celebration. “I still remember when our class got the results back from our first chemistry test, and I didn’t do so hot. I learned we can’t let our failures define us as people.”

Emma Womack was the salutatorian for the 2023 Scholars Academy graduation class and received more than $30,000 in scholarship offers for her first year at Anderson University this fall.

Scholars Academy valedictorian Caitlin Hines was offered more than $130,000 in scholarships over a 4-year period. This figure includes a $27,000 annual Benjamin Wofford Scholarship at Wofford College and a $20,000 Trustee Scholarship at Gardner-Webb University where she will enroll this fall.

Overall, this year’s eight Scholars Academy graduates earned scholarships worth more than $560,000 over a 4-year period. The inaugural class includes Alanah McCluney, Kolby Turner, Hines, Kaylee Blanton, Karson Womack, Emma Womack, Hines and Andrew Mathis.

Hines received the top Scholars Academy academic awards in math, science and English. Karson Womack received the history award.

Each graduate wore a special Scholars Academy stole Thursday during their graduation ceremonies to symbolize their academic achievements.

Along with their high school diplomas, the Scholars Academy graduates could earn a maximum of 85 college credits once advanced placement courses are factored in. This will allow the students to transfer their eligible college credits towards their new colleges and universities to complete their bachelor’s degrees in as little as two years.

“I wanted to be part of it because of the college costs. It will make it so much easier on my parents’ debt,” said McCluney, who will major in business at Limestone this fall. “This will make it so much easier for me to get where I want to be in life.”

The Scholars Academy is one of the signature academic programs superintendent Dr. Dana Fall has added to increase student achievement and provide a higher quality education for Cherokee County residents. Fall said the program seeks to help high-achieving students by offering challenging courses designed to ensure they are prepared for academic success in college.

Scholars Academy has steadily grown and will have 68 students in grades 9-12 this fall. This figure includes 26 new students for the 2023-2024 school year.

Students who accept invitations to Scholars Academy must maintain A’s and B’s in all courses and continue in the college program until high school graduation. While classes end at 2 p.m., Scholars Academy students are able to stay an extra hour to receive academic help from their instructors each day.

Scholars Academy students are able to play sports and participate in extracurricular activities at Blacksburg High and Gaffney High.

At the May 23 celebration dinner, Turner played electric guitar on several jazz and blues numbers with the Scholars Academy band. McCluney and Turner performed the national anthem Thursday during the Gaffney High graduation ceremony.

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