In May 2021, Parker DuBose will wrap up his journey at WECHS with a high school diploma and an Associates of Science from Cape Fear Community College. Next fall he will begin a new journey at Campbell University in Buies Creek, NC after earning a $25,600 merit scholarship. Check out the interview (below the photo) to learn more about Parker's journey at WECHS and his plans for Campbell:
What is your intended major?
Chemical Engineering with a concentration in Pharmacy
How much is your scholarship?
$25,600 merit scholarship plus a book scholarship that will cover the cost of my books for the first semester. I am waiting to hear back on two endowed scholarships for Engineering students, that I applied for at Campbell as well as two other scholarships not associated with Campbell. I should hear back from those in May.
How did you decide to apply/attend Campbell?
I have a few family members that attended Campbell and talked with them. I applied to several universities but when I toured them, I felt more like a number. When I toured Campbell, I immediately felt at home. The class sizes are small, the campus and staff are very welcoming, and the graduation rate and job placement rate are high. I want to attend a university that will further prepare me for a career in Engineering and I feel like Campbell University will do just that.
How do you think CFCC prepared you?
CFCC has been instrumental in my education, allowing me to take courses that will transfer to Campbell (or most any North Carolina) university. This is a huge financial savings to my family. It also allowed me to ease into the college experience. The courses that I have taken have been challenging but with smaller class sizes, I have been able to get more one on one attention. That's not something you would get at most universities. I feel like I will be much more successful at Campbell because of my experiences at CFCC. I've learned time management and communication skills which will help me as I continue my education.
What is one memorable moment from WECHS/CFCC?
I would have to say the most memorable moment would be the transition to online classes because of COVID (last March). We went on Spring Break, expecting to be off one week and we didn't go back. At the time, I was taking Engineering classes. Ideally, those classes would not have been taught online (without some planning). It was a learning curve for everyone but I applaud the WECHS/CFCC staff for all of their help in making the transition so easy.
Who has been the most influential?
This is a tough question because there are so many people that have helped me while at WECHS and CFCC. I feel like I have had a lot of cheerleaders and I appreciate all of them. If I had to choose one person from WECHS, I would say Dr. Brown. Dr. Brown is so helpful and if you ever need anything, she is always there. You know you can count on her. If I had to pick one person from CFCC, I would say Ms. Emily Stein. I have taken CAL 271, 272, and 273 with her, all online. She always responded to my questions and emails and I have learned so much from her. She wants her students to learn/understand the material and truly cares about them.
Do you have anything else to add?
I would just like to say thank you for giving me the opportunity to attend WECHS/CFCC. I have enjoyed my experience and have received an excellent education. All of my teachers at WECHS and CFCC have been invested in my education and want me to succeed. Being able to enter a university with two years of college under my belt is huge and I appreciate the opportunity that was made available to me.