Brooke Reed's shoulders are feeling a little lighter these days as she shops for colleges without worrying about a possible deal-breaker: the price tag.
The Red Bank High School junior recently won the Leonore Annenberg College Scholarship, a four-year, all-expenses-paid scholarship that just a handful of students nationwide receive. The award will cover tuition and fees, room and board, a laptop and a stipend to the college or university of her choice beginning in the fall of 2011.
"It is the greatest honor that I could ever receive," said Miss Reed, 17, who is involved in academic, athletic and philanthropic activities.
The scholarship, established in 2007 by Leonore Annenberg, is part of a 10-year initiative to offer grants and scholarships to young people who have been successful in school despite significant challenges.
Miss Reed's 21-year-old brother and 19-year-old sister are both in college. To send her, too, would have been a financial hardship for her family, she said.
"Before this, I actually had a plan of going to (the University of Tennessee at Knoxville), majoring in chemistry and becoming a teacher," she said. "So much has changed. What I want to do with my life has changed."
Though Miss Reed still plans to become a chemistry teacher, she's now setting her sights on colleges she couldn't have afforded such as Vanderbilt University and Maryville College, among others.
ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP* Established in 2007 by Leonore Annenberg.* Mrs. Annenberg, who died last year, was married to Walter H. Annenberg, a publisher, philanthropist and art collector who served as U.S. ambassador to Britain from 1969 to 1974.* Part of a 10-year initiative to offer grants and scholarships to youths who have been successful in school despite significant challenges.* Covers tuition and fees, room and board, a laptop and a stipend to the college or university of the recipient's choice.Source: Public Education Foundation
"I feel like God gave me this opportunity for a reason, and I have every intention of taking advantage of it," she said. "I will go to the greatest place I can go to."
Brenda McEntyre is Miss Reed's college adviser and cheerleading coach and has known the teen for several years. She said Miss Reed stood out as the clear choice for this award because "she is so driven and such a good student."
"She is always there to lend a helping hand," Ms. McEntyre said. "I think she stood out over everyone else because of the type of person she is. She is a very well-rounded individual."
Each high school in Hamilton County nominated a student for the scholarship, and a team from the Public Education Foundation narrowed the listn to four to send to the Annenberg board, said PEF President Dan Challener.
"Part of it is that these students be leaders and role models," Mr. Challener said, "and Brooke fits that perfectly."