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JEFFERSONVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Dedication. Determination. Unstoppable Drive. Those are just a few of the words used to describe Twiggs County High School senior Tamera Washington.
Washington has earned $5.2 million in scholarships and received acceptance letters from 110 colleges, with 86 of those schools offering her scholarship money.
“It feels surreal, like it’s not possible for someone from Twiggs County to receive that much, but I really am taking it all in slowly, because I can’t believe it,” she said.
Washington says education is essential in an ever-changing world.
“You can’t just be in the world knowing nothing,” she said. “You have to really expand your mind with the knowledge of all subjects in school—even the electives. You have to prepare yourself for what’s to come.”
This fall, Washington will attend Mercer University, where she plans to major in nursing.
“These days there are so many illnesses going around,” she said. “During COVID-19, so many people were getting sick and there was a shortage of nurses. So, I want to be a part in building the nursing program and helping others.”
Twiggs County Schools Superintendent Dr. Mack Bullard says Washington has set the bar high and proved that even students from small school systems can shine on a national stage.
“She has over 100 college acceptances, and as I talked to her earlier, it was all because of her grades,” he said. “When she got her admissions there, they looked at her performance and that says if you work hard, if you do well in classes, it will pay off for you. So, put the time in, invest your time, and rewards will come.”
Bullard also said as a young African American student, Washington is a powerful role model.
“It says that’s someone that looks like me, and if she can achieve it, I can achieve it,” he said. “If she got dedicated and committed and got great grades, I can be dedicated and committed to getting great grades. And that same result can come to me.”
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