Beltran, of Franklinville, said she knew she belonged at App State the first time she toured the university’s campus. She also said App State’s Diversity Scholarship Program will help her in her goal of “promoting diversity in communities that need to come together and that need to learn that everyone is unique in their own way.”

She plans to pursue App State’s criminal justice degree program because she wants to help people and make a difference in their lives. “I want to help anyone and everyone, no matter the background differences, because everyone deserves a chance,” she said.

During her senior year at Eastern Randolph High School in Ramseur, Beltran served as president of the school’s Beta Club and as vice president of its Junior Civitan Club. She was also a drum major in the school’s marching band and captain of the girls varsity soccer team.

Brown, of Charlotte, said she is excited to become a Mountaineer. She intends to major in elementary education and said she chose App State because the university will help her learn to become a teacher who not only teaches but inspires her students to dream.

Brown has a broad academic interest in international relations and wants to volunteer for the Peace Corps. She said she looks forward to the new doors App State’s Diversity Scholars Program will open for her, allowing her to learn more about people, develop her leadership skills and build networks.

She graduated in the top 10 of her class at Zebulon B. Vance High School in Charlotte and also made the A/B Honor Roll during her senior year. She was a member of her school’s Future Business Leaders of America chapter and Writing Club.

Carlisle, of Kernersville, said she chose to enroll at App State because of the university’s mountain location and the welcoming atmosphere she experienced while interacting with both students and staff during her campus tour. She was also attracted to App State’s “strong commitment to education, promoting diversity and developing sustainability,” she said.

She plans to major in biology and aspires for a career in the medical field, possibly as a veterinarian. “I am also very determined to spend my next few years of college exploring human connection and what it means to develop a supportive community with a goal of peace, love and equality. I know that being a part of the Diversity Scholars will allow me to educate myself and others about diversity and what it means to be an open, loving community,” she said.

During her senior year at Early College of Forsyth in Winston-Salem, Carlisle served as set director for the school’s drama club and was a member of the school’s National Honor Society chapter. She was also a barista at her local Starbucks and volunteered each week at Forsyth Humane Society.

Crowder, of Mint Hill, said she decided to attend App State because of the research opportunities available to students in the university’s biology program. Her decision was also cemented by her campus tour experience: “The campus feels like one big family with everyone wanting to help others,” she said.

Crowder already has her sights set on attending medical school, and she said App State’s Diversity Scholarship Program will help her prepare for her goal.

As a senior at Independence High School in Charlotte, Crowder worked at her local Food Lion grocer and served as an ambassador in training for her community’s Young Black Leadership Alliance (YBLA).

“Appalachian was easily my first choice because of its strong commitment to inclusivity, sustainability and education,” said Henes, who is from Cary. “I feel that Appalachian is the best place to get my postsecondary education and become a well-rounded global citizen.”

Henes, who plans to major in history, social studies education, said, as a future educator, they will work to ensure their students are presented with fair, equal and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education.

During their senior year at Green Hope High School in Cary, Henes founded the school’s chapter of the Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society, was a member of its Scholastic Open Class varsity winter guard and advocated for environmental justice with the student government as a class representative.

Jordan, a Wilmington native and graduate of Neuse Charter School in Smithfield, said she decided to attend App State and become a Mountaineer because of the university’s “friendly atmosphere” and its commitment to both sustainability and diversity.

Jordan, who plans to major in psychology, said her Diversity Scholarship will enable her to pursue her interests in psychology, public works and Black history by “offering a diverse network of academic resources and financial support.”

As a high school senior, Jordan participated in the town of Clayton’s Youth Council and worked alongside her community members in Smithfield’s Fifth Street Community Garden.

Mejia-Hernandez, of Hickory, said she chose App State for its strong sense of community, along with its campus activities and clubs that allow students to get involved.

She plans to major in nursing at App State and said the Diversity Scholarship Program will help her decide what other academic interests to consider when choosing a minor.

At Fred T. Foard High School in Newton, Mejia-Hernandez was a member of the school’s Beta Club and its National Technical Honors Society and National Society of High School Scholars chapters. As a senior, she participated in the High School Scholars Academy at Lenoir-Rhyne University, which provides high school students a more advanced and collegiate academic experience during their senior year.

Ramirez, an intended graphic design major from Fayetteville, said she chose to attend App State because she wants to “become part of a community that is driven to create younger leaders in society who are fighting for change worldwide.”

Ramirez said her goals at App State include personal growth and learning how to build thriving communities within America through the arts. “Being a part of the Diversity Scholarship Program will give me access to different people and backgrounds that will allow me to gain insight on different views and cultures,” she said.

As a senior at Overhills High School in Harnett County, Ramirez was a member of the school’s National Technical Honors Society chapter. She has worked with Fayetteville’s Mexican American Association and helped Fayetteville Elite Running organize a Run for the Pink 5K road race to raise funds for a local cancer hospital.

Rios, of Eagle Springs, plans to major in exercise science–pre-professional. She said she knew App State was the right choice for her when she and her mom toured the university’s campus with Spanish-speaking guides — no other school she had toured had offered tours in Spanish.

Rios, who intends to minor in Japanese, said, “The privilege to study abroad provided by the Diversity Scholars Program ignited a passion for me to learn more about Japanese culture. Through the program, I will be able to meet and connect with many different people across the world to learn more about their cultures, values and lifestyles.”

While a student at Pinecrest High School in Southern Pines, Rios was a member of her school’s National Honor Society chapter, a three-year member of its varsity cross-country team and a four-year member of its varsity track and field team. She also volunteered with the Sandhills Moore Coalition for Human Care, a nonprofit that works to alleviate food insecurity and financial hardships among households in Moore County.

Slade, who is from Charlotte and intends to major in communication, journalism, said she was attracted to the university because of its welcoming ambiance and supportive atmosphere. “Appalachian is the only school I’ve interacted with that genuinely cared about its prospective students,” she said.

Through her Diversity Scholarship funding, Slade plans to study abroad and immerse herself in the cultures of others in order to gain new perspectives. “My world will no longer be limited to one perspective and I can effectively communicate what I have learned to a broader audience,” she said.

While a senior at Charlotte’s Zebulon B. Vance High School, Slade served as president of the school’s DECA Club (formerly known as Distributive Education Clubs of America) and as secretary of the Future Business Leaders of America chapter.