Shore Scholars Program - Shallow Ford Foundation

The Program

Where it Started

In 2019, Yadkin County Schools, in partnership with the Shallow Ford Foundation, launched the Shore Scholars program at Starmount and Forbush High Schools. The goal is to increase the number of students who aspire to opportunities through continuing education. The program provides a range of activities and services to ensure student access to success in post-secondary education. The program is underwritten by the Wayne A. Shore Endowment Fund and the active support of his daughters Karen S. Hopper and Debrah S. Blase.

Program Basics

Each year there are 10 Shore Scholars at each high school (Forbush and Starmount). Scholars selected are to enroll in the 11th or 12th grade. When a Shore Scholar graduates from high school, an opening is created in the program and a new scholar is recruited, screened, and selected to fill the opening.

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Shore Scholars...

...are selected after completing an application and an interview with a review team made up of community leaders and a current or former Shore Scholar. The review teams choose and recommend the students who can most benefit from the program.
...after selection, attend Signing Day –a formal celebration with their families and sign a commitment to full participation in the program. Parents/guardians also commit to supporting the student through the program.
...become part of a supportive peer group of other students who share a goal of continuing education.
...participate in a yearly retreat with other Shore Scholars to share experiences and identify workshops that the students feel will be most beneficial.
...are paired with a school-site mentor who is a YCS teacher or staff member. The mentor meets individually with the student each month to review goals, plans, and progress in reaching goals.
...participate with other Shore Scholars in monthly workshops focused on priority areas of learning and service.
...upon high school graduation, are paired with an advisor who will support, encourage, and assist the student through the first two years of continuing education.
...who have graduated, return to meet with high school Scholars and other peer guidance to help with student expectations and navigation.

Workshops & Activities

At the annual retreat, students select the priority topics to be addressed in the year’s monthly workshops together.

Topics have included:

understanding FAFSA(parents/guardians also attend)
finding and applying for scholarships
financial management and budgeting
interviewing skills
cooking skills and dining etiquette
managing stress and anxiety

Peer group activities also include college campus tours, participating in local service projects, an arts & culture experience, and a special dinner for graduating high school seniors.

2022 etiquette dinner

Assisting with Expenses

All Shore Scholars enroll in community college classes while in high school through the North Carolina Career and Promise (NCCP) program. This state program covers the cost of tuition while in high school. The Shore Scholars program assists with additional expenses such as registration fees, books, uniforms, and tools that may be required by the college classes.

The Shore Scholars program provides last-dollar scholarships for students in the first 2 years of college. However, these scholarships are very limited. Instead, all students are guided and learn to find other resources and scholarships for their continuing education.

STARMOUNT HIGH SCHOOL

Caden Abernethy
Emily Brewer
Hannah Hall
Tania Lorenzo
Mairely Maldonado
Dylan Montoya-Rodriguez
Jasmine Rosario
Allison Vazquez

Forbush High school

Morgan Beamer
Demi Moore
Carly Phillips
McKenzie Pruitt
Jacob St. John
Caitlyn Whitman