BEST BRIGHTEST AND THE

BY GABY EMENIKE

With college applications getting completed and decisions slowly making their way back to high school seniors, scholarships and financial aid are also on the mind of many students preparing to go to college next year. While scholarships can sometimes be difficult when it comes to the intense requirements, one in particular, the “Best and Brightest” scholarship focuses on the unique skills and qualities of Leon county students to give an opportunity to numerous teens for financial aid.

For the Maclay community, 12th grade students were encouraged to apply for the “Best and Brightest,” as the top winner will be awarded $1500, runners up with $750 and honorable mentions receiving $500. There were a total of 15 categories that the seniors could apply for, and one student was selected to represent the school for each group. The categories ranged from athletics to business to the performing arts. 30 applications were submitted to French teacher Cindy Stockstill and on Monday, Nov. 29, the 15 Maclay finalists were announced.

“I take all of [the teachers’] advice or input, and then I look at the people on the list and take students off of certain lists so that they’re in their best possible category,” Stockstill said. “Once I had the list, it ended up being a committee of five looking over the options.”

Since the scholarship is open to students all over Leon county, many steps are ahead for the selected students. First, the nominated seniors will have to fill out an application with their services hors and academic achievements. In February, there will be an interview for each nominee by a panel of experts for their specific category. Finally, there will be a ceremony in May.

“Honestly I was very shocked that I actually got picked for the ‘Best and Brightest,’” senior and music finalist McKenzie Jackson said. “But I was also really excited for being able to have the opportunity to enter.”

The 2021 “Best and Brightest” ceremony was streamed virtually to ensure the safety of the students and their families due to COVID. With 2022 being the 17th year of running the “Best and Brightest” scholarship, the ceremony will be held in the Ruby Diamond Auditorium on Florida State University’s campus. With all the students participating from Leon county, a lot of nerves can come from being involved in such an advertised event, but students can rest easy knowing that three different candidates will be awarded for each category.

“I think the best thing they can do is to look at the portfolios that will be provided to see what our former winners have prepared and presented,” Dean of Student Affairs Heather Bas said. “Also practicing interviewing since their last interviews were on skype or zoom about a year ago with the junior interview series.”