HIGH ACHIEVEMENT

By
Maryann Miller

Madison Tallant, a freshman at Winnsboro High School, is among the finalists for a full scholarship to Culver Academy in Culver, Indiana. The school is comprised of Culver Military Academy and Culver Girls Academy. Henry Harrison Culver founded Culver Military Academy in 1894 and the girl's school was founded in 1971. The Culver Academies are independent college preparatory boarding schools that have achieved national and international prominence. They offer extensive academic, athletic, and extracurricular activities to prepare young people for college and beyond.

"This is really an amazing school," Madison said. "And I am really lucky to be a finalist for the scholarship, as well as being accepted into the school."

Madison explained that this is one of the most competitive acceptance processes that has an acceptance rate of only 3%. That is more competitive than Yale or Harvard. Acceptance is based on academics as well as character, citizenship, and service. "Academic performance is important," Madison said. "But the other areas are just as important. They look at the whole student and their focus is on mind, body, and spirit."

This all started for Madison over a year ago when she took the ACT test in seventh grade and scored 19. She was contacted by a number of schools that were interested in recruiting her, and Culver was one of them. She applied last year and was accepted at the school, but was not one of the finalists for the scholarship. "She really needs the scholarship," her mother, Mia, explained. "The school is very expensive and as much as we would like to send her there, we simply do not have the financial resources."

Because of her disappointment last year, Madison thought long and hard about applying again, then decided to go for it. She had to retake the Secondary Schools Admission Test (SSAT) and was pleased to score much higher this year, especially in math. "I think that was because I have had a really good year in math class here in Winnsboro," Madison said. "Mrs. Poe has been great and she has really helped me get excited about math."

Madison made it clear that her desire to go to Culver was not because she is unhappy at Winnsboro High School. "It's a good school and the teachers are great," she said. "But at Culver there are so many other opportunities than can be offered here."

Among those opportunities are expanded athletic programs that includes fencing, crew, golf, and equestrian. Madison plans to take fencing and crew, but is not sure about the others. She also plans to be involved in the theatre program at the school, and her local theatre experience has probably factored into her acceptance into the school. In addition to school drama classes and performances, Madison has had starring roles in plays at community theatres, including the Trails Country Centre for the Arts in Winnsboro and the Lake Country Playhouse in Mineola.

Madison will go to Indiana this coming weekend to tour the school and find out if she is one of the scholarship winners. The original list of 118 applicants has been narrowed to 18 finalists who are competing for the 6-8 scholarships awarded annually. The final decision is made after each candidate is interviewed by a panel of faculty and alumni. "I'm a little nervous about that," Madison said. "But I was told it is like a conversation, so I will try to stay relaxed and just follow their lead."

The Batten scholarship includes tuition, room and board, uniforms, and books. In addition, the scholarship covers the cost of participation in one of Culver's spring break work projects during the sophomore year, and an off-site summer study program at a college or university in the United States or overseas after the junior year.

UPDATE - March 12 - Madison just received word that she was awarded a full scholarship. Many congratulations to her.