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.
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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 a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.
Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.
If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:
Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.
If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:
Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.