The SC Commission on Higher Education (CHE) and The College Board awarded Dutch Fork High School (DFHS) for outstanding effort to help students access college. The College Access Champion School award recognizes DFHS’s remarkable performance in College Board’s Opportunity Scholarships (CBOS) program, which walks students through the steps of the college access process such as: creating a college list, completing college applications, exploring college scholarships, taking the SAT, completing a FAFSA, and selecting a college. Dutch Fork is one of five South Carolina high schools this year to receive the award.
The Opportunity Scholarships program first started in South Carolina in 2018 and has grown substantially since. Over the last two years, high schools’ participation in the CBOS program has resulted in $133,000 in additional scholarships to South Carolina students. Dutch Fork has consistently ranked in the top 10 South Carolina schools for student participation in the program: 8th for most participating students in the class of 2020, 9th in the class of 2021.
Richard Green, Senior Director for the College Board Opportunity Scholarships commented:
“We offer College Board Opportunity Scholarships as a guide to planning and paying for college… We are especially proud of the caring educators in Dutch Fork for tremendous efforts in a challenging year to expand college access and connect these scholarships with South Carolina students who need them most.”
CHE president and executive director, Rusty Monhollon, and Devron Edwards, Commission board member from the local area, presented school and district officials the award. Dr. Monhollon commented, “The CHE is happy to collaborate with College Board to recognize our state’s schools doing good work to help students access college, with both application guidance and financial aid. We commend Dutch Fork, especially guidance staff, for their service.”
“Krystal Brown and all of the counselors in Lexington-Richland School District Five are passionate about their work,” said Dutch Fork High School’s Director of School Counseling Teresa Farell. “Ms. Brown represents the best in our profession. Her dedication and ability to give valuable assistance to students does not go unnoticed. Ms. Brown makes a difference in her student’s academic achievement, as well as their social and emotional needs.”
Mahrukh Iftikhar, a student at Dutch Fork, remarked, “Ms. Brown has been a huge help throughout the high school application process- Not only now, but since freshman year! [She] has always been there to guide me through everything, from getting my GPA up to personal struggles. I am so thankful.”
| Photo- Dr. Rusty Monhollon with Lexington-Richland School District 5 leadership and Dutch Fork High administration and guidance staff. |
