CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte nonprofit is seeking solutions and getting kids to higher education who might not otherwise go to college, helping them get ahead before they finish high school.
Jazzie Lee is the first in her family to go to college. She started the process as a sophomore at West Charlotte High School. She was chosen by Queen City Scholars, a nonprofit that takes a unique approach to getting students ready for higher learning.
"It was phenomenal," Lee said. "I came back every year. It was pretty great, I feel like it really prepared me for college."
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Students at four Charlotte high schools are handpicked to spend the summer at Delaware State University. They live on campus, take classes and are mentored, giving them the full college experience immediately.
"They'll get to replicate what it's like to be a college student for the summer," Queen City Scholars founder Tony Alleyne said. "It helps prepare them for the next level. They get to experience what it's like to be a college student away from home, so they have to wake up, deal with roommate issues, dining, college curriculum, balance."
Johana Cruz, a rising junior at West Charlotte, is about to begin her second summer in the program.
"It was really amazing," Cruz said. "At first I was hesitant. I was afraid of being somewhere new but it turned out to be really good."
Lee says Queen City Scholars was exactly what she and her family needed to get ready for college.
"It definitely helped ease the transition," Lee said. "I'm a first-generation student so my mom and family didn't really know what the college transition process was like, so going to Delaware State introduced me to that."
Queen City Scholars has chosen 21 West Charlotte students since its launch in 2020. The school's assistant principal says it's turning more students onto the idea of college.
"It's been really great because scholars will come back from that experience and share with other students about it, and there's this organic college-going culture it's created," Kevin Poirier said.
Lee is about to begin her junior year at Queens University. She credits Queen City Scholars with helping her acclimate quickly so she can thrive in college.
The program recently expanded to include four Charlotte high schools and Alleyne hopes to add more soon.
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