Middle school students join Clark State Scholars

Clark State College inducted nine Clark-Shawnee middle school students into their Scholars Program on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. Clark State Scholars is a program that partners with first-generation, college bound students to prepare them for higher education. 

The Clark-Shawnee eighth grade students inducted into the program were Bradley Blazer, Kane Giles, Addalyn Glodeck, Alaunie Locher, Lilly Long, Aryana Lyburtus, Kiya Moore, Cayden Rodgers, and Isabella Wertz.

“I am so proud of each these Shawnee Middle School students. The Clark State Scholars Program provides an opportunity for these individuals to advance their education with the goal of making meaningful contributions to our community,” said Mr. Brian Kuhn, Clark-Shawnee Superintendent. “Clark State College has and continues to be an amazing partner of our school district by providing outstanding academic opportunities for our students.”

As part of the program, these nine students are eligible to receive up to three years of tuition-free education at Clark State including books and fees. The program provides academic support, mentorship through high school and college, and an invitation to participate in special events and activities at Clark State. 

“Our Scholars soar to success by participating in an immersive, pre-college experience throughout high school,” explains the Clark State website. Scholars also “work with a dedicated community mentor and build meaningful relationships.”

The academic support and mentorship sessions focus on comprehensive tutoring, test-taking, studying, aptitude tests, personal development skills, and more. 

Scholars and their parent or guardian agree to maintain a 2.0 grade point average, keep a 93 percent or greater school attendance record, participate in 75 percent of the Scholars program activities, exhibit good citizenship, take classes in high school that will prepare them for college, and stay enrolled in the district they were inducted through, according to the Clark State website. 

Interested students are required to submit an application and a letter of recommendation from teacher, counselor, or principal during the fall of their eighth-grade year. Finalists are interviewed in person and scholars are inducted into the program in the spring of their eighth grade year. 

The program was first introduced 20 years ago to students in Springfield City School District. Five years ago it expanded to include students from Clark-Shawnee, Tecumseh, Graham, and Urbana City schools.