PEA RIDGE — One of the first things Karen Shelton had to consider as she considered her future was affordability.
“I decided back in ninth grade what I wanted to be. I switched, and then switched back again,” she said, speaking to the members of Pea Ridge Optimist Club.
Shelton, a senior at Pea Ridge High School, admits to coming from “generational poverty.”
“I knew I could do better,” she said, sharing that she lives in a home where five people are supported on a retirement income and qualify for food stamps.
“I qualify for free and reduced lunch. I was not expected to make more of my life than to get a local job at minimum wage.”
“I want to be an architect ... build a community center in town for starters, build a simple school in another country. I want to change the world,” Shelton said. “I want to be the difference for another person.”
A college degree is essential for her to reach her goal, but Shelton did not see a way to afford college. However, thanks to the efforts of LaDonna Penner,scholarship coordinator at Pea Ridge High School, she now has scholarships covering much of the expected costs.
“I want to be better than what people set for me. Generational poverty is hard to break out of. It takes three things - will power, education and a dream. If I can do it, someone else can,” she said.
Shelton applied to the University of Arkansas in August and was accepted in September. Attending will cost her $20,000 a year.
“She brought scholarships thatfit my need,” Shelton said, explaining that Penner gave her applications for scholarships that required her to write essays, something Shelton does well. As she filled out each application, she asked Penner for more.
“She’s been a real big help.”
Shelton currently has about $18,000 of the $23,000 that she’ll need and most are in renewable fouryear scholarships.
Penner said the academics at Pea Ridge are excellent with 74 percent of the students having a 2.5 grade point average or better.
“That speaks well for your school. Your academics are excellent,” she said.
“We’re trying to raise funding locally.”
Kim Brown has done an excellent job of building relationships, Penner said speaking of Kim Brown of Arvest Bank who has spearheaded the Pea Ridge Scholarship Foundation for 14 years.
“Local scholarships will fit students who don’t fit into other categories,” she said. Of this year’s senior class, five have already committed to the military, with 12 to 16 considering the University of Arkansas and 40 committing to NorthWest Arkansas Community College.
“College is not for everyone,” she said, adding that she is trying to help some students get jobs. “Education does open doors.”
News, Pages 1 on 04/18/2012