Story by Courtney Williams / August 4, 2021
Brian Hicks | Post and Courier
Kaiasia Williams is an impressive young woman by any standard.
She will graduate from Burke High this week with a resume that includes a long list of awards for academic achievement and leadership skills, multiple wins in engineering competitions and four years with the Student Government Association.
That’s all the more amazing because Williams is the first person in her family to graduate from high school — and she’s done it while tutoring, babysitting and taking other jobs to help her mother pay the bills.
Even with such stellar credentials, Williams had no guarantee of fulfilling her dream to study engineering at Clemson … until Ben and Kelly Navarro’s Meeting Street Scholarship Fund came along.
The Charleston entrepreneurs/philanthropists in December announced plans to pay $10,000 a year toward the cost of higher education for any Charleston County high school graduate who qualifies for a state lottery scholarship and a federal Pell Grant — and attends a college that graduates at least half its students within six years.
This generous program puts a degree within reach for students who have strong academic records but probably otherwise couldn’t afford to go to college without taking on a mind-numbing amount of student debt.
The price of tuition at most universities has far outpaced incomes in the past two decades. Which means Pell Grants, which are based on family income, and lottery scholarships, which are awarded on academic merit, don’t cover a full ride at a good college these days. But an extra $10,000 a year fills that gap nicely.
So it’s not an overstatement to say the Meeting Street Scholarship Fund is a life-changer.
“Throughout my high school career, one of my biggest worries was how would I be able to afford college,” Williams says. “To me, this is the only way to break the cycle. My mother has always supported my efforts, but unfortunately, she cannot afford my college fees.”
The qualifying period for the first batch of scholarships runs through August, and some students are awaiting their final grades to ensure they meet the requirements. But more than 300 have started a Meeting Street Scholarship Fund application to check their eligibility. Early estimates are that at least 75 new graduates are assured of making the final cut.
That includes Allen Gomez, who will graduate West Ashley High this week with a 4.543 GPA and two-dozen college credits he’s already earned. Gomez is a first-generation American who had to move to Ecuador with his family in 2010 because of the recession.
After spending most of his elementary years in Ecuadorian schools, where he had to learn Spanish, he returned to the United States as a sixth-grader with some catching up to do — particularly in English and social studies.
Gomez earned excellent grades throughout school while also playing championship soccer for West Ashley … and working construction full time during the summers. He plans to one day become a surgeon.
“I expect the Meeting Street scholarship to change my life because it will allow me to pursue my secondary education without taking out student loans, which is a huge help for my family,” Gomez says. “It has given me hope.”
And that’s what this scholarship fund is supposed to do. The Navarros’ Meeting Street Academy schools have proven that with the right mix of curriculum, staff and parental involvement, any child can overcome the opportunity gap. The test scores bear that out.
Now, the Navarros have ensured that some of those same students can continue their education at South Carolina universities.
“We are inspired by the impressive group of students who will receive the inaugural Meeting Street Scholarship, and are thankful for the families and the educators who have supported them along the way,” Ben Navarro says. “Their hard work and perseverance have gotten them to this point, and we’re proud to be part of their journey going forward as they reach their full potential by achieving their college dream.”
That includes Kyla Hutchinson, who will graduate from Burke High this week with 18 credits from Trident Technical College under her belt, a feat she managed while also working at a local Chick-fil-A. The Meeting Street scholarship will allow her to attend Winthrop, where she plans to study mass communication and one day become a writer.
“I felt like I had been released from an overwhelming burden,” Hutchinson says. “My family and I won’t have to worry about how I will pay for college.”
That’s not just good for Kyla; it’s good for the entire Charleston community. And frankly, we were due some good news.
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Start Your Career!Meeting Street Schools (MSS) is an innovative non-profit where schools, families, and the community collaborate to create environments where all children can achieve their full potential. With a network of schools across South Carolina, including MSA-Charleston (Charleston, SC), MSA-Spartanburg (Spartanburg, SC), MS-Brentwood (North Charleston, SC), MS-Burns (North Charleston, SC), and MS-Jasper & Beaufort (Jasper, SC), we are committed to providing students with the rigorous education they deserve.
Founded on the principle that every child deserves an excellent education regardless of their socio-economic background, Meeting Street Schools has been a beacon of hope and a testament to what's possible in education. Our schools are driven by a strong focus on student achievement, evidence-based instruction, and relentless support of our students and their families.
While united by our shared mission, each MSS campus, is unique in its character, tapping into the local spirit of the communities they serve. Explore each of our schools and discover how they're creating a brighter future for students in South Carolina.
Nestled in the heart of Charleston, South Carolina, MSA Charleston is more than just a school—it’s a hub for innovative learning and community engagement. As part of the Meeting Street Schools network, MSA Charleston embodies a commitment to excellence through its rigorous academic programs, inclusive culture, and focus on developing the whole child. With a curriculum that emphasizes both academic and personal growth, MSA Charleston prepares students to be curious learners and active citizens of their community.
MSA Spartanburg stands as a pillar of educational innovation in the Spartanburg community. The school’s dedicated educators and supportive learning environment ensure that each child receives a high-quality, personalized education with exceptional faculty and teachers. MSA Spartanburg is distinguished by its emphasis on community partnership, fostering relationships that extend beyond the classroom to build a strong foundation for lifelong learning and success.
MS Brentwood is a place where education meets opportunity. Serving the Brentwood area, this school is a testament to the transformative power of education. With a student-centered approach that celebrates diversity and encourages excellence, MS Brentwood is dedicated to equipping students with the skills they need to thrive in the 21st century. MS Brentwood also serves as a hub for the Brentwood community to access educational and wellness services. The school’s commitment to innovation, coupled with a warm, welcoming environment, makes it a standout in the MSS network.
Located in a community rich with history and culture, MS Burns is renowned for its dynamic educational approach that intertwines traditional learning with modern teaching techniques. The school’s focus on experiential learning ensures that students at MS Burns are not only recipients of knowledge but also active participants in their educational journey. MS Burns exists to spark an educational revolution for the students and families in the Dorchester-Waylyn Neighborhood in North Charleston. With a commitment to creating a supportive and challenging academic environment, MS Burns is forging a new path in public education.
MS Jasper represents the Meeting Street Schools’ dedication to community-based education with a global perspective. The school provides a nurturing environment where students are encouraged to explore their potential and cultivate a love for learning. With its diverse programs such as Eureka Math, and Wit and Wisdom, MS Jasper puts a major emphasis on character development, specialized learning and equips students to become thoughtful, engaged members of society, reflecting the MSS ethos of empowerment through education.
“MSA is a family. Once you’re in, you’re in. They said they would follow our kids from K-3 to college and they actually lived up to what they said they would do. Not only did MSA challenge my daughter academically but it also exposed her to new things that she probably wouldn’t have been exposed to at our previous neighborhood school. Our journey at MSA was exciting and rewarding. They actually walk the walk.”
“We come into work everyday truly believing that our students are capable of achieving anything that is put in front of them. Here at MSS, students are provided the opportunity to achieve success through the facilitation of well-educated teachers, resources, and a responsive classroom school environment.”
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