Hundreds of ecstatic sixth-graders filled the auditorium at M.C. Williams Middle School. Their chants grew louder as they received details of the new partnership with Texas Southern University that would grant them scholarships upon graduation. 

“I’ve always wanted to go to college, but I thought I would have to work in the evenings and go to school in the day in order to afford tuition,” said sixth-grader Kimberly Guzman, who aspires to study architecture. “I’m very excited that we have this opportunity to study at Texas Southern University for free.”

As part of this new initiative with M.C. Williams Middle School, Texas Southern University agrees to award students who achieve academic excellence with scholarships upon completion of high school.

 “The sixth-graders at this school have an insatiable thirst for learning. To have the support from the district’s board, administration, community leaders and a major university like Texas Southern University shows how our children and education are important to us,” said Eva Pickens, spokesperson and associate vice president of Communication and Community Affairs for Texas Southern University. “This partnership is about assuring our students have the resources necessary to be successful.”

During the presentation of this partnership, each sixth-grader walked across the stage in a mock graduation ceremony and received a TSU T-shirt to represent their commitment to stay in school and graduate.

“As Texas Southern University presented us the flag to represent our partnership and commitment to one another, I viewed the proud faces of my sixth grade staff and students,” Principal Corey Seymour said.  “Texas Southern University has tapped into the interior spring of the M.C. Williams students, and together we will encourage the flow of energy and life into the community.”

In order to receive the scholarship upon graduation, the students need to attend M.C. Williams, graduate with passing grades or higher in all classes, attend school at least 94 percent of the time, pass state requirements, participate in at least one extracurricular activity, and their parents have to be involved in a parent organization. When the students promote to high school, grade point average and SAT/ACT scores will be factored in.

TSU will also award scholarships to M.C. Williams sixth-graders during the 2013-2014 academic school year.