Chianti Stansell, a Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) student, was named as a Bettye Reed Scholarship recipient for 2012. The $2,000 Bettye Reed Destined for Success Scholarship was awarded to Stansell for the 2012-2013 academic year.
According to the Foundation’s website, the Bettye Reed Scholarship Foundation, Inc. was established by the late Bettye Arnold Reed for the purpose of assisting capable, deserving, and hardworking students attending Floyd County institutions of higher learning who need financial assistance in completing their college education. Foundation scholarships are granted to qualified students for the purpose of attending an accredited college or university full time in the Floyd County area.
Applicants are evaluated based on their work ethic, academic history, and financial need, with the greatest weight being placed on work ethic.
Ms. Stansell was nominated for the scholarship by Gina Stephens, program director for Medical Business Administrative Technology. “I had the privilege of having Ms. Stansell in class for the past two semesters,” said Ms. Stephens. “I was consistently amazed at the professionalism and competence shown by Chianti. She demonstrated excellent work ethics and problem solving skills throughout the semester.”
Ms. Stansell says she is honored to have been selected to receive the scholarship. “The news elated me and reminded me that hard work and commitment can pay off,” she said. “This scholarship means that I will be able to pursue additional opportunities. It also means the quest for my degree continues, in part, thanks to the Bettye Reed Scholarship Foundation. I am excited to see what the future holds.”
On track to finish her program and graduate in 2013, Ms. Stansell hopes to use the education she earns at GNTC to possibly start her own consulting agency in medical billing and coding and maybe one day return to the college to teach alongside her former instructors.
Ms. Stansell credits her instructor for giving her the added push she needed to continue to achieve her educational goals. “Without my instructor Gina Stephens’ support and encouragement, it is likely I would have given up because of personal hardships. Instead, I’m accepting a scholarship awarded to me based on academic merit,” she said.
Ms. Stephens is very proud that Ms. Stansell has received this scholarship and goes on to say, “Chianti has overcome many challenges in her life. She is working to improve her life and the lives of her children. Additionally, she mentors other classmates, demonstrates exceptional work ethics, shows initiative, and strives for academic excellence. She doesn’t make excuses for any past choices, and is striving daily to improve the quality of her life and society as a whole. I am proud of Chianti for receiving the Bettye Reed Scholarship and I know that she will utilize her knowledge to make a difference in her surroundings.” Ms. Stephens’ closing words about Ms. Stansell, “She is an inspiration.”