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Appalachian awards 10 students Diversity Scholarships for 2017-18

By Cameron Thomasson
Posted June 26, 2017 at 1:19 p.m.

BOONE, N.C.—Ten first-year students at Appalachian State University have been awarded Diversity Scholarships for the 2017-18 academic year.

The Diversity Scholarship is given to students who have demonstrated leadership potential, academic achievement, a willingness to create positive change and a commitment to the principles of diversity. The scholarship covers full in-state tuition and fees for eight semesters, plus special service, leadership and travel opportunities. All first-year students are eligible for the scholarship. Those interested should apply for admissions and complete the scholarship application by Nov. 15.

The 2017-18 scholarship recipients are Megan Busse of Troutman; Zhen Graham of Charlotte; Vanessa Guerra of Winston-Salem; Emme Hooks of Raleigh; Zoe Hurwitz of Chapel Hill; Sydney Mesquiti of Kernersville; Raina Meyer of Concord; Eun Perry of Statesville; Maria Romero of Apex; and Gracyn Travitz of Cary.

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Appalachian State University Diversity Scholar Megan Busse of Troutman, who plans to major in industrial design. Photo by Riley Hutchinson

Megan Busse

Troutman, North Carolina

Busse is a graduate of South Iredell High School, where she was part of the International Baccalaureate program. She plans to major in industrial design with a concentration in product design.

“I decided to attend Appalachian State University because I fell in love with campus as soon as I stepped foot on it,” Busse said. “I am most excited about getting involved in different clubs around campus.”

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Appalachian State University Diversity Scholar Zhen Graham of Charlotte, who plans to major in psychology. Photo by Riley Hutchinson

Zhen Graham

Charlotte, North Carolina

Graham is a graduate of Mountain Island Charter School and plans to major in psychology.

“I look forward to networking with others, making new friends and gaining new experiences that will help further me as a productive member of society,” he said. “As a Diversity Scholar, I plan on bringing ideas, cultures and encounters from all around to help gain insight on just what the future has to offer.”

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Appalachian State University Diversity Scholar Vanessa Guerra of Winston-Salem, who plans to major in international and comparative politics. Photo by Riley Hutchinson

Vanessa Guerra

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Guerra is a graduate of Parkland High School, where she was part of the International Baccalaureate program. She plans to major in international and comparative politics.

“What I hope to gain by being part of the Diversity Scholars program is a better understanding of the world,” Guerra said. “This includes learning about other countries, as well as the people who come from them.”

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Appalachian State University Diversity Scholar Emme Hooks of Raleigh, who plans to major in music therapy. Photo by Riley Hutchinson

Emme Hooks

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hooks is a graduate of Sanderson High School who plans to major in music therapy.

“I chose Appalachian because I feel that the school supports what I love most,” she said. “I am looking forward to learning and making music with people who love music as I do, while diving into a field where music and human connections meet to help others.”

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Appalachian State University Diversity Scholar Zoe Hurwitz of Chapel Hill, who plans to major in elementary education. Photo by Riley Hutchinson

Zoe Hurwitz

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Hurwitz is a graduate of Carrboro High School who plans to major in elementary education.

“Along with being a Diversity Scholar, I will also be part of the ACES (Appalachian Community of Education Scholars) residential learning community [for future teachers,]” she said. “I hope to join the club volleyball team, join a sorority and partake in all of the outdoor activities that Boone has to offer.”

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Appalachian State University Diversity Scholar Sydney Mesquiti, who plans to major in psychology. Photo by Riley Hutchinson

Sydney Mesquiti

Kernersville, North Carolina

Mesquiti is a graduate of Reynolds High School and plans to major in psychology.

“As soon as I toured the campus, I instantly knew that I wanted to be part of the Appalachian Community,” she said. “I am thrilled that I will have the opportunity to meet others who are different from myself and to participate in their interests, because if there was no diversity and inclusion, the world would lose its cultural beauty.”

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Appalachian State University Diversity Scholar Raina Meyer of Concord, major to be decided. Photo by Riley Hutchinson

Raina Meyer

Concord, North Carolina

Meyer is a graduate of Concord High School who is undecided about her major.

“I am most looking forward to bringing my academic life and social life together,” she said, “by experiencing what Appalachian and Boone have to offer.”

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Appalachian State University Diversity Scholar Eun Perry of Statesville, who plans to major in cell and molecular biology. Photo by Riley Hutchinson

Eun Perry

Statesville, North Carolina

Perry is a graduate of South Iredell High School, where she was part of the International Baccalaureate program. She plans to major in cell and molecular biology with a chemistry minor.

“I fell in love with Appalachian very quickly,” Perry said. “I hope by being a Diversity Scholar, I will learn new ways to spread diversity in the Appalachian Community.”

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Appalachian State University Diversity Scholar Maria Romero of Apex, who plans to major in political science. Photo by Riley Hutchinson

Maria Romero

Apex, North Carolina

Romero is a graduate of Cardinal Gibbons High School and plans to major in political science.

“One of my passions is social justice, not only in fighting for the rights of all, but also spreading knowledge about different forms of inequality,” she said. “I look most forward to the opportunities at App – not only academic opportunities, but also the chance to connect with the community.”

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Appalachian State University Diversity Scholar Gracyn Travitz of Cary, major to be decided. Photo by Riley Hutchinson

Gracyn Travitz

Cary, North Carolina

Gracyn Travitz is a graduate of Panther Creek High School and is undecided about her major.

“I chose Appalachian because of its commitment to academic excellence, building a diverse student population, personalized teaching and mentoring and incredible research opportunities for undergraduate students,” she said.

About Appalachian State University

As the premier public undergraduate institution in the state of North Carolina, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and to embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls more than 20,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.

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Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

The migration of materials from other sites is still incomplete, so if you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • University media releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015
  • Additional feature stories may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Photo galleries and videos published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian

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Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

The migration of materials from other sites is still incomplete, so if you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • University media releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015
  • Additional feature stories may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Photo galleries and videos published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian
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