By Larry Sutton

Special to The Independent

President Lee Byam of the Sampson County branch of the NAACP presents a scholarship to Mikeala Roberson, who is a recent graduate of Hobbton High School.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_NAACP-scholar2.jpgPresident Lee Byam of the Sampson County branch of the NAACP presents a scholarship to Mikeala Roberson, who is a recent graduate of Hobbton High School.

As the Sampson County branch of the NAACP continues to pursue its resolve to make 2015 a year of activism and justice, the general membership was introduced to the 2015 Sampson County NAACP scholarship recipient at their July 27 meeting.

At some point in their high school journey, many high school students will probably ask themselves, “Why is it important to go to college?” Most experts seem to agree that there will be greater opportunities for those who attend college, including the chance to improve their earning potential in our 21st century economy and to have a broader pathway to greater possibilities.

Speaking about the benefits of going to college, Paul Taylor of the Pew Research Center’s special projects explained, “In a modern, knowledge-based economy, the only thing more expensive than going to college is not going to college.”

Many experts do agree, too, that college-educated young adults make more — generally $17,500 more per year — than those without a college degree.

These facts were not lost on the 13 county seniors who submitted applications last spring for the Sampson County branch of the NAACP Scholarship. Introduced at the July membership meeting, the recipient of the 2015 NAACP scholarship was Mikeala Roberson, who is a June graduate of Hobbton High School. Mikeala will be enrolling the fall semester at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she plans to major in biology.

In responding to the application essay question, “How Will Receiving This Scholarship Affect My Future?,” Mikeala remarked, “By receiving this scholarship, some of the stress that will occur during my transition to such a large university … will be alleviated, which will be a blessing to not only me, but also my mother.”

Referring to the high cost of tuition and medical school, she further stated, “Although this is a constant worry of mine, I will not let it deter my dreams to be successful in life.”

So, it seems as if Mikeala has prepared herself for a successful transition to college where she will have a wonderful opportunity for growth.

In the words of Dr. Seuss, the Sampson County Branch of the NAACP had these encouraging words for its first scholarship recipient. “Step with care and great tact and remember that Life’s a Great Balancing Act; You’re off to Great Places, Today is your day!; Your mountain is waiting, So, get on your way!”

The Sampson County NAACP meets the fourth Monday of each month at First Baptist Church, 900 College St. in Clinton, beginning at 6:30 p.m. For more information, contact the local branch president Lee Byam at 910-990-0873.

Larry Sutton is a former Clinton High School history teacher.