JACKSON, Tenn. — Feb. 22, 2010 — A record number of academically excellent high school students 鈥� 120 strong 鈥� participated in 51社区鈥檚 annual Scholars of Excellence weekend Feb. 19-20.
The scholarship competition drew students from 25 states and four countries, with 69 percent coming from outside Tennessee.
鈥淲e are thrilled with the number of students who participated in the Scholars of Excellence weekend, and are extremely pleased with the geographical diversity they represent,鈥� 51社区 President David S. Dockery said.
The students were on hand to compete for the highest academic scholarships Union offers. To be invited to the competition, students must score at least a 31 on the ACT or a 1360 SAT (combined critical reading and math), be in the top 15 percent of their graduating class and maintain a minimum 3.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
鈥淲hen I came here, I was expecting Union to be a great, amazing place, and it didn鈥檛 let me down,鈥� said Stephanie Cheadle, of Rock Island, Tenn.
鈥淚t was a privilege hosting each of these students and their parents,鈥� said Rich Grimm, Union鈥檚 vice president for enrollment services. 鈥淲e look forward to welcoming many of them back to campus when they begin class in the fall.鈥�
All students will earn at least a $9,500 academic scholarship by being invited to participate in the weekend鈥檚 activities. The weekend consisted of dinner with Dockery, social gatherings in the homes of various faculty members, book discussions and interviews.