07-05-2025
12 kids awarded full tuition to Wright State
FAIRBORN, Ohio (WDTN) — A dozen students who aren't even in high school yet are all set for college. They've been awarded full rides to Wright State University.
Eight of the 12 scholarship winners competed in a basketball competition. The other four were drawn at random. To be eligible, everyone had to participate in 80% of events during the Big Hoopla STEM Challenge at Wright State.
'STEM is such a critical piece to the entire world because science, tech, engineering and math is what drives essentially everything that we do,' says Mister C, who performs science experiments and is a 2001 Wright State graduate.
In a world where STEM is the future, 12 kids already have their future set.
'It's a very, very big deal, thanks to God above, of course. But this makes us really, really excited for his future,' says Demetrius Taylor, whose eight-year-old son won a scholarship.
A dozen grade school students were awarded full rides to Wright State University.
'That's just amazing. I'm so excited that Wright State has donated the scholarships, and it just means a lot to our family,' says Amy Boley, whose nine-year-old son won a scholarship. 'I am over the moon. He deserves it so much.'
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For a shot at a full ride, students took part in a basketball competition and the Big Hoopla STEM Challenge.
'So we're bringing together kids, basketball, STEM, all sorts of cool things, lots of exhibitors. And Hoopla STEM is just designed to inspire kids to want to do STEM and be participating in STEM events, not just a one day thing, but make it part of your life and essentially become a lifelong learner,' describes Mister C.
About 1,500 kids explored hands-on exhibits on a floor full of demonstrations.
'As far the STEM program, I think that's great for students to learn, especially at this age,' says Shaquora Shelley, whose son won a scholarship. 'He has a long time since he's only in first grade. It means a lot. It's one thing, one less thing I have to worry about really financially.'
The money will help ease the financial burden of higher-education as students work to advance their knowledge in a field that's growing just as fast as they are.
This was the second year Wright State sponsored the Big Hoopla STEM Challenge but the first time the university hosted the event on campus.
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