By: Destini Clark and Jaleel Taylor Crusaders' Chronicle
The scholarships awarded to King’s Class of 2015 has been the buzz around school. Twenty-nine million dollars were given to seniors last school year, plus an improved graduation rate. The increase is thanks in part to senior counselor Denise Barnes and other staff members.
King’s staff gave 100% in assisting with the scholarship process and increasing the graduation rate. Ninety-seven percent of seniors graduated. The highest it has been in quite some time.
“We made history,” said Barnes. “We go over and beyond here.”
Paris Dimick, a 2015 graduate, was rewarded the Gates Millennium Scholarship. Dimick worked hard her entire high school career and is now a pre-medicine student at Spelman College in Atlanta.
“Paris is really excelling,” said Barnes. “She’s put herself out there helping students with their essays, and she’s a really good role model.”
Barnes’ goal is no different for the class of 2016: Be college and career ready. Barnes said seniors should not waste time and should take this final year of high school seriously. They should have a goal of at least seven college applications. Barnes said completing college and scholarship applications should be a part-time job.
“Start early planning and apply for every scholarship possible,” Barnes said. “I treat my students how I would treat my birth kids. If I wouldn’t want it for my birth kids, I wouldn’t want it for my students.”
Colleges and branches of the military have scheduled visits at King to inform seniors about their program. The class of 2015 had the highest number of students going into the armed forces compared to previous years.
Barnes has the drive and determination to help seniors in any capacity, which is the opposite of her experience with her counselor when she was in high school.
“My counselor didn’t really have time for me,” she said. “I am the complete opposite.”
