A perfect combination of faith, gut instinct, talent, hard work and family support created an incredible opportunity for Rebecca Turnbull recently.  The BHS Senior just found out that she was one of only eight Yeager Scholarships offered to students throughout the state.  The scholarship provides the recipients with full tuition and fees for all four years at Marshall University, full payment of room and board, a stipend for textbooks and supplies, a laptop, coverage of enrollment deposits and graduation fees and payment for study abroad opportunities, including a summer program of study at the University of Oxford in England.

 

 

The road getting to such an honor was a challenging one to say the least, but Turnbull, who excels both academically and artistically, embraced the process with her usual grace and positive attitude.  Her search for the perfect college began with her experience at WVU, where she attended the Governor’s Honor Academy last summer.  She found that the school was simply too big and too scattered for what she had pictured her college experience looking like.  She wanted something more personal, connected and different.  At Marshall, she found her fit.  With an award-winning Journalism program and a stellar theater department, Turnbull could see herself balancing both academics and the arts, just as she has done at BHS.

 

In order to qualify for the Yeager Scholarship, Turnbull had to make a minimum of a 30 on her ACT.  With determination and hard work, she was able to accomplish that.  Throughout the process of applying, she was also a featured performer in the school play, named Student of the Month, active in Journalism and Theater events, and keeping up her grades up in her classes.  Never one who focuses on the negative, Turnbull juggled all her responsibilities beautifully and continued with the application process, which included two essays, two letters of recommendation, an online application and a phone interview.

 

As a Finalist, Turnbull traveled to Marshall University in last February to experience  a Finalist Weekend, along with 17 other students from around the state.  She stayed in the dorm, networked with current and former recipients of the scholarship, enjoyed recreational time and reconnected with old friends for the Governor’s Honor Academy.  On the first night, the Finalists were given an assignment for the following day’s mock seminar.  The next full day was dedicated to hard-core competition.  Finalists participated in four individual interviews done by a panel of professors, contributors, or members of the Yeager program.

 

The group toured campus, went to mock seminars and got to know the other Finalists well.  Throughout the process, Turnbull embraced the challenges and started realizing what an opportunity this would be for her and her family.  After leaving Marshall, she kept in touch with the other Finalists, encouraging each of them while they shared the painful experience of waiting.  On March 22, what started as an ordinary day turned out to be anything but. 

 

Turnbull’s dad was the first to see the letter.  He kept a stern face as he handed it to his wife, who upon reading it, screamed in delight.  She rushed to slide it under Rebecca’s door and they all cried and laughed and celebrated together at the news that she had indeed received the Yeager Scholarship.  The aftermath brought with it a realization of just how blessed she was, not just because of the scholarship, but because of her family.  All the support, all the encouragement, all the lessons and plays and recitals…Turn bull's gratitude toward her family is immeasurable.

 

In the fall, she will be driving to Marshall University to begin the next chapter.  She plans to major in International Affairs and Journalism, with a possible minor in Musical Theater.  She is grateful for all that Bridgeport High School and the community has enabled her to experience and truly looking forward to yelling, “Go Herd!” in August.