Arlington Collegiate High school senior Kevin Baylon must have known something was up when he walked into his school鈥檚 library and saw his parents with a bunch of his teachers.
But that was just a small surprise compared to what was coming. Representatives from the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce and the Pettinger Foundation were also in the library with a bigger surprise. They let Kevin know he had won two scholarships for a total of $15,000.
Baylon is a worthy recipient. He鈥檚 not just graduating from high school next week as the school鈥檚 salutatorian. He鈥檚 also graduating from Tarrant County College with his associate degree! Baylon will head to the University of Texas at Arlington next year to study mechanical engineering.
鈥淢ath and science just come so naturally to him. He鈥檚 so gifted,鈥 said Tonia Hastings, Baylon鈥檚 counselor at Arlington Collegiate. 鈥淗e鈥檚 even and hard-working with such high expectations for himself, so he鈥檚 very easy to mentor and guide.鈥
Though quiet, Baylon is well-known among his teachers for his kindness and internal drive.
鈥淗e鈥檚 just such a great kid. He always gives his best,鈥 said Jennifer Fuller, Baylon鈥檚 English teacher. 鈥淗e doesn鈥檛 realize how exceptional he is.鈥
Hopefully he started to realize it when he was handed an oversized check for $10,000 for winning the Chamber of Commerce鈥檚 Innovation Scholarship.
Sponsored by the Pettinger Foundation, the Innovation Scholarship is a STEM-based program run by the Arlington Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with 91制片厂 and UTA. It awards scholarships to qualified 91制片厂 high school seniors with financial need seeking a four-year college degree in engineering, science or technology from UTA.聽
Wesley and Hedwig Pettinger were there for the happy presentation.
鈥淭he mechanical engineering department at UTA will be getting a great student!鈥 they said. 鈥淲e all need to thank the Chamber for doing such a great job this year!鈥
Following the check presentation, Alicia Collins-Butler from the Chamber of Commerce had another surprise. She announced Baylon had also won the Chamber鈥檚 American Dream Scholarship for an additional $5,000.
Learn more about the Chamber of Commerce scholarships , and visit the 91制片厂鈥檚 scholarship page to see a long list of scholarship opportunities for students.