JCSU Announcement

JCSU Student Wins National Essay Contest, Meets Dr. Angelou

Isis Tarrats

April 8, 2008 - Student Support Services (SSS) participant Isis Tarrats is a recipient of the Alltel Words of Wisdom Essay Scholarship. A freshman from Charleston, S.C., she was selected as one of 10 winners from all essays submitted to the contest, which asked contestants, In remembering the past, what will you do to contribute to a brighter future? Tarrats was honored at an awards luncheon March 31, 2008, in Little Rock, Ark.

When asked about the scholarship, Tarrats said, "This scholarship is honestly the fruit of hard and long labor. Writing this essay meant spending numerous hours in the writing lab. However, with the help of wonderful JCSU students and professors, I was able to write a successful essay. This scholarship is both an honor and a financial blessing to me and my mother."

Words of Wisdom spokesperson and esteemed poet and author, Dr. Maya Angelou, personally presented Tarrats with the $5,000 scholarship. Additionally, American Idol Ruben Studdard performed an exclusive concert for the winners. While in Little Rock, Tarrats was interviewed by a local television station.