Honors Competition Offers Students $10,000

(Wilson, N.C.) Barton College’s two-day Honors Competition kicks off on February 8, 2008, offering prospective students the chance to win a $10,000 scholarship and the opportunity to join Barton’s Honors Program.

The Honors Competition, the first step into the exclusive Honors Program, awards five $10,000 Trustee Scholarships and four $1000 Travel Scholarships. In addition, participating students receive a $500 tuition credit simply for taking part in the event.

To qualify to participate, a student must have a minimum GPA of 3.25, have a SAT score of 1100 or higher, and be admitted to Barton by February 1, 2008.

The weekend competition begins with a reception for all invited students on the evening of February 8. The following day, all competing students and their families are invited for a unique opportunity to have breakfast with President and Mrs. Kneten at the Barton-Graves House.

After breakfast, students will participate in an essay-writing exercise and small group discussions to introduce the participants to Barton’s Engaged Learning concept. Faculty will use these exercises to help them choose the winners of the scholarships. The competition concludes with lunch and a brief program for all participants and their families.

During planned events, participants will get to meet current Honors students, like Kay Vines, who will share their personal experiences in the Honors Program and explain what makes Barton unique.

Vines, a 2007 Travel Scholarship recipient and a Nursing and Spanish double major, found the recognition afforded by the program to be a rewarding part of her experience. “You are called upon because of your effort,” she said.

Vines said she “enjoyed the one-on-one with the upper classmen… as well as the professors,” but she most enjoyed “the opportunity to do more.”

Her Honors English class, for example, “used the whole class to cover the Whirligig Festival.” Rather than simply studying English in the classroom, the students engaged themselves with the community, applying their English skills to document Wilson’s annual art celebration.

Students who excel in academics, enjoy challenges, and value the chance to grow beyond their expectations are perfect candidates for Barton College’s Honors Program. With the privilege of participating in the Honors Program and the opportunity to win a $10,000 scholarship, Barton’s Honors Competition is not to be missed. To learn more, contact the Office of Admissions at 1-800-345-4973 or email: enroll@barton.edu.

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Questions? Please contact Ken Dozier, web services manager, at 252-399-6596 or email: kdozier@barton.edu.