Hollister
– One local high school student will be enjoying a little extra
celebrity over the next few weeks, thanks to her participation in
the statewide
”
Save Me a Spot in College
”
contest.
Hollister – One local high school student will be enjoying a little extra celebrity over the next few weeks, thanks to her participation in the statewide “Save Me a Spot in College” contest.
“It was a really exciting opportunity, and I’m really glad I was a part of the competition,” said Amanda Macias, an incoming senior at San Benito High School.
Macias, 17, found out about the scholarship competition, sponsored by the Campaign for College Opportunity, through the high school Web site, which posts a list of scholarship opportunities for which students can apply. The contest asked students, “Why should California leaders save you and your peers a spot in college?” Applicants could respond to that question with a poster, short video or short essay.
“I think that education is really important and I wanted to express that through the written word,” Macias said.
More than 9,000 students from throughout the state responded, competing for more than $70,000 in scholarships. Macias chose to answer the question by illustrating the positive effect a college education can have on students who will one day become leaders in society.
“Knowing that college is a tool used in the transition from adolescence to adulthood, a person’s financial status shouldn’t keep them from attending and pursuing the career of their dreams,” she wrote.
Macias was selected as a finalist for her entry and attended a special ceremony in Salinas on Monday, where she read her essay aloud for representatives from Ana Caballero’s office. Ultimately, her essay was not selected as a winner, but she did receive an honorable mention award, and will read her essay aloud again for an AM 530 radio show this weekend.
“I had a great time,” she said. “The best part was meeting people my age who really care about their education and take it seriously.”
Macias, who will be entering her senior year at SBHS, is the president of the campus Speech and Debate Club and served as arts and entertainment editor in 2005-2006 for The Baler, the campus newspaper. She hopes to land the spot of editor in chief next year. Though her plans are still somewhat up in the air, she wants to attend college in southern California and pursue a career in journalism.
For more information on the Campaign for College Opportunity visit www.
collegecampaign.org
Danielle Smith covers education for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or ds****@fr***********.com.
