365 PROJECT: First Black Roan Scholar

***NOTE: All 365 PROJECT content was reposted after Tricities.com underwent a website renovation Spring 2008.***

Originally Published: February 1, 2008
NICKI MAYO, WJHL-TV/Tricities.com

A Johnson City student is making the grade and history at the same time.
Science Hill senior Edwina Morris has been chosen for the 2008 Roan Scholars Leadership Program, making her the first African American to earn this honor. The program has offered a free ride to four East Tennessee State University incoming freshmen annually since 2000. This year five students will join its elite ranks.
“You know when your young you say I want to be a fireman or I want to be a police officer. I always said I want to be a doctor.”
Morris is humble and modest about her intentions for the scholarship. The 18-year-old is taking part in a clinical internship at the James H. and Cecile C. Quillen Rehabilitation Hospital. She started her 80-hour program Wednesday and plans to take the examination to become a certified nurse assistant around graduation time.
“I’ve always thought I’d leave Johnson City after graduation,” says the high school senior. She considered attending Nashville’s Vanderbilt University and Maryville College.
“The more that it was brought to my attention what it was a bout and how a roan scholarship is defined I said ‘wow this is me,’” she adds.
This fall, Morris plans to enroll in ETSU’s pre-Medical program. She hopes to become a surgeon or obstetrician. Right now, the Science Hill senior says she plans to focus on her roles as Student Government Association school wide representative and president of the Health Occupation Students of America chapter.
Morris says she’s doing a lot less these days compared to her previous athletic roles with the school’s track, basketball, and volleyball teams. “It’s a lot but I choose to do it all,” says Morris.
Students do not apply for the Roan Scholarship, they are chosen.
Teachers and guidance counselors from more than 50 regional schools in the East Tennessee, South West Virginia, and West North Carolina nominate students. A panel weans down the numbers to select four to five recipients.
To date, the scholarship has handed out 1.3 million dollars to regional students. These students receive four years’ tuition, a Dell laptop and printer, and access to ETSU events and trips. The scholarship is named for the East Tennessee mountain with its designation.
Organizers say the Roan Scholars are making a name for themselves both on the campus and in society.
“We train these young people to be student and world leaders,” says roan Scholarship director Kristina Bullock.
“We would like to have students that share different things, different backgrounds. Learn from one another and with one another. So we’re very grateful and excited about Edwina joining the Roan Scholars.”

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The 2008 Roan Scholars
Source: ETSU

Sean McNeil Collins – University School—His parents are Larry and Christine Collins of Johnson City, and he is the first student from University School (on the ETSU campus) to be chosen as a Roan Scholar. His leadership positions and honors include Senior Patrol Leader of the Boy Scouts of America Troop 37, varsity captain of the basketball and soccer teams, and program leader for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He has received University School Outstanding Achievement Awards in many subjects, as well as two USAA merit awards, and was named to Who’s Who Among American High School Scholars in the 2005 sports edition. Collins plans to major in biology at ETSU with a goal of ultimately becoming a research physician. He also hopes to study in Australia, if given the opportunity. When not involved in school, Collins may lead a scout hike or spend time drawing landscapes and human figures.
Victoria (Tori) Jones – Madison High School, Marshall, N.C.—The daughter of Chipper and Donna Jones of Marshall has served as class president for three years, as well as captain and co-captain of the varsity cross country team. Her honors include many athletic awards such as 2007 Indoor Track Team MVP, Edward R. Jones Blue Chip Scholar Athlete 2005-07, as well as Western Highlands Academic All-Conference. Her school government experience includes representation at the School and Board Improvement meeting, food drives, community service, a lead role in Project Santa, fostering cooperation between the school’s clubs, as well as event fundraisers.Jones’ favorite club—BAM (“Because All Matters”) – is a unique service organization providing assistance to the community’s elderly. Regarding her career aspirations, she wrote, “It has been my dream to be a counselor.  I really want to make an impact on people’s lives in a positive, helpful way.”
Grace Owen O’Neill McCord – Dobyns-Bennett High School—Her parents are Jeff and Catherine McCord of Kingsport, and her plans include participating on ETSU’s varsity soccer team. She combines her academic and athletic gifts as a student whose honors include AIMS Scholar, SHOUT Graduate, as well as numerous athletic distinctions while proving her leadership abilities as captain of DB’s varsity soccer team, and participation in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Student Council, National Honors Society, Epsilon Sigma Alpha service club, and as a student mentor.  Recipient of the Kodak Young Leader Award, she was also student representative on the Kingsport City Library Commission. Her school guidance counselor describes her as “infinitely upbeat” and states that “she exudes a warmth and sense of self that tends to draw others to her.” When asked about her most significant activity as a student, McCord described her experience during a mission trip to John’s Island, S.C., where students helped improve the lives of rural residents through service projects.
Daniel Justin Miller – Mountain Heritage High School, Burnsville, N.C.—The son of Danny and Jane Miller of Erwin has served as yearbook editor, founder and devotion leader in Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Student Council class representative, and captain of the varsity baseball and basketball teams. He has an “intense desire” to help make the community a better place as evidenced by his volunteer experiences with Johnson City Medical Center, James H. and Cecile C. Quillen Rehabilitation Hospital, and Special Olympics. He has been involved with the D.A.R.E. program as a drug-free role model, as well as Operation Christmas Child and March of Dimes. Miller intends to enroll in ETSU’s Pre-Med program to pursue a career in family medicine. His school counselor writes, “In the tenth grade, he …was accepted into the ETSU Rural High School Students’ Medical Camp, our youngest to…be selected thus far.” He recently explained, “I am very enthusiastic about my upcoming college experience, and I am looking forward to becoming part of the Roan family.”
Edwina Michelle Morris – Science Hill High School—The daughter of Linda Morris of Johnson City has served as president of HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America), the National Technical Honor Society, and the school service project “Autism Speaks.”  She has been involved as class representative in Student Government and Future Business Leaders of America while serving in many other capacities, including a Health Ministry Team, peer tutoring, and leadership positions on the track and basketball teams. Morris, a Tennessee Scholar and graduate of the Johnson City Chamber of Commerce Youth Leadership Program, plans to pursue the Pre-Med track at ETSU with an interest in becoming a physician or chiropractor. Her school guidance counselor writes, “Edwina amazes me in her ability to make a total commitment in all that she endeavors (and) is truly one of the most outstanding young women that I have had the pleasure of working with over my seventeen years as high school counselor.”