Solon High School junior Isabelle McClung, center, reacts with excitement as she is presented with a $40,000 scholarship from the College Board’s BigFuture program during her Music in Motion show choir class Nov. 25. Speaking at far right is Joel Gulko, the College Board’s senior director of state and district partnerships. Isabelle’s family members, from left, are her parents, Braxton and Emma McClung, and her brother, Ethan, a sixth-grader at Orchard Middle School.(Photo Courtesy of Solon City Schools)
SOLON, Ohio – Solon High School junior Isabelle McClung received the surprise of a lifetime recently when she was presented with a $40,000 scholarship from the College Board’s BigFuture program.
When Isabelle went to school Nov. 25, she thought the best surprise of the day was going to be that an anticipated math quiz didn’t materialize, according to a news release from the Solon City School District.
But that was before she learned that she was awarded the scholarship during her Music in Motion show choir class later that day.
The presentation was made by Joel Gulko, the College Board’s senior director of state and district partnerships, along with Solon High School Principal Erin Short and Superintendent Fred Bolden.
Isabelle’s family and classmates also witnessed the exciting moment.
“It’s like a dream come true,” Isabelle said in the news release.
“I had just gone on a college visit to an out-of-state university that I really loved, but I also saw the reality of how expensive college is – especially if it is out of state.
“Now, with this scholarship, I am thinking maybe I have a chance. I can look at many different opportunities.”
Isabelle added she was “humbled and overwhelmed.”
“This scholarship is going to help me follow my dreams,” she said.
Isabelle, who is active in music and show choir at the high school, won the scholarship by completing key college and career planning steps through the College Board’s BigFuture platform, according to the news release.
She also has a passion for environmental science and sustainability.
Her winning chance was earned by taking a simple but important step: creating her college list and adding colleges to it using BigFuture, which helps students personalize their plans for the future.
“This scholarship will make a significant impact on Isabelle’s educational journey,” Short said in the news release. “Her involvement in both performing arts and environmental studies exemplifies the well-rounded and balanced education and rigor we strive for at Solon High School.
“This is also an important reminder to all our students to read their informational emails and follow the suggestions of our counseling team about recommended college and career readiness steps they can take to help them each step of the way on their journey toward life after high school.”
Bolden said $40,000 is “a life-changing amount of money” for a student who’s preparing to go to college.
“This is a huge success for her,” he told the Solon Board of Education Monday (Dec. 9). “I know she’s looking at (a few) different schools, including some that are out of state.
“It just goes to show you, when the guidance counselors tell you to use these tools, it’s not just to help you get into school. It can really help.
“And just because we had somebody from Solon win this time does not mean we can’t have another person win from Solon. I’m sure we’re all going to be a little more motivated to get on the BigFuture platform from the College Board.”
The BigFuture platform provides comprehensive resources for students to explore careers, plan for college and navigate financial aid options, the news release stated.
Students can earn chances to win by completing six key steps:
Start your career list: Students explore careers that match their interests.
Build your college list: Students find two- or four-year colleges that interest them.
Start your scholarship list: Students find other scholarships to help them pay for college.
Strengthen your college list: Students make sure their college list has a mix of reach, match and safety schools.
Complete the FAFSA (free application for federal student aid): Students fill out the free government form to apply for financial aid.
Apply to colleges: Students apply to the schools they want to attend.
“I had read about the scholarships on the College Board website, but I didn’t really understand how easy it was to qualify,” Isabelle said.
As for her advice to her SHS peers and other high school students embarking on their college search, she said: “Use the resources and listen to the advice of your guidance counselors.”
Isabelle’s parents, Braxton and Emma McClung, echoed the advice of utilizing the tools recommended by the school counselors.
“The process is more complicated today than it was when we went to college,” Emma McClung said in the news release.
“The school and the counselors provide tremendous resources. All of this support helps so much.”
Completing even one planning step earns students a chance at the monthly scholarship awards like the one Isabelle won, according to the College Board.
Current sophomores and juniors are eligible to win scholarships awarded every month by the College Board for use at two- or four-year institutions.
The more steps students take toward exploring and planning – and the earlier they begin – the more chances they earn for the monthly drawings for both $500 and $40,000 scholarships.
Current high school students can begin earning scholarship chances by visiting BigFuture.org and signing in.
Senior to play soccer at Seattle University
In other student news, Solon High School senior Sonia Lamarre signed a National Letter of Intent Nov. 13, the first NCAA signing day, to play soccer at Seattle University.
Sonia, who will compete in the Western Athletic Conference, plans to major in history at the Division I institution, according to a news release.
“This is a significant achievement for any student-athlete,” Solon Athletic Director Jim McQuaide said in the release.
“Division I athletic scholarships have become increasingly rare for high school students in today’s NIL (name, image and likeness) era, making this accomplishment even more noteworthy.”
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