Would you like to be part of a county-wide effort to guarantee selected students the mentoring and financial assistance they need so they can attend Isothermal Community College (ICC)and be successful there?
The Polk County ICC Foundation invites you to support its New Century Scholarship Fund.  Contributions may be made to the Polk County Campus ICC Foundation Inc. and mailed to 155 Mills Street, Columbus, N.C., 28722.

New Century Scholars (NCS)_ is a program that selects three seventh graders annually a

nd pledges to mentor them through high school graduation.
If a scholar has maintained good school attendance, grades, and citizenship, remained drug and alcohol-free and performed volunteer service hours, the program guarantees him or her a tuition-free, two-year education at Isothermal Community College.
Following are interviews with two students who are juniors at Polk County High School and who both participate in the New Century Scholars Program:  Angela Bradley and Caleb Byars.

Bradley:
Q.  Angela, tell us about your hobbies and how you spend your time.
A.  I like to read and listen to music; I also like to write poems. I enjoy hanging out with friends and the TV shows “Walking Dead” and “Criminal Minds”.
Q.  What does it mean to you to be a New Century Scholar?
A.  It means a lot. It’s a great opportunity to work hard and know you get something in return.
Q.  What are your plans for the future?
A.   I plan to attend Isothermal Community College for two years and then transfer to a 4-year college. I will study to be a forensic scientist and hope to work in the Behavior Analysis Unit of the FBI.

Q.  Have you always wanted to attend college?  If so, why?
A.  Yes.  It’s a great opportunity for me to achieve my goals and have the career that I want.
Q.  What are some of the volunteer activities in which you participate?
A.  I volunteer at band fundraisers.  I also am willing to volunteer wherever I’m needed; for example, at a hospital  or animal shelter.

Byars:
Q.  Caleb, tell us about your hobbies and how you spend your time.
A.  I like to listen to music, read and watch TV.
Q.  What does it mean to you t

o be a New Century Scholar?
A.  To be a New Century Scholar to me means to be an active member of society and to be drug and alcohol-free.
Q.  What are your plans for the future?
A.  I plan to attend college to become a high school teacher or to be a travel and tourism guide.
Q.  Have you always wanted to attend college?  If yes, why?
A.  Yes, I have always wanted to attend college.  I know I can’t get a decent job without going to college.
Q.  What are some of the volunteer activities in which you participate?
A. I volunteer at Green Creek Community Center.

The New Century Scholar Coordinator at Polk County High School is school counselor Katy Montgomery.
As the liaison between the NCS students and their mentors, Montgomery makes sure the students are completing their hours and honoring the terms of the NCS program.
She also coordinates meeting times between the students and mentors, and she updates mentors on their mentees’ progress.

-article submitted
by Judy Lair