成人视频

Will Brooks, of Shelby, N.C., is the 2025 recipient of 成人视频鈥檚 highest honor for incoming undergraduate students, the Tucker Heart, Soul, Mind and Strength Scholarship. He is the sixth student in the history of the scholarship to be recognized with this honor. He also has the distinction of being the first male to win the award, and he is the first person from Cleveland County, N.C., to receive the Tucker Scholarship.

Brooks was surprised with the announcement on Wednesday, Dec. 18, at Pinnacle Classical Academy in Shelby. Upon entering the Student Center filled with family, friends, and Pinnacle staff, Brooks was greeted by members of 成人视频鈥檚 admissions staff and the University鈥檚 Mascot, Mac. Director of Admissions Molly Allison informed an astonished Brooks of the good news.

鈥淭his is definitely a surprise,鈥� Brooks declared. Then, he thanked Carolyn and Robert Tucker, who established the scholarship in 2019. 鈥淚 will not let them down,鈥� he added. 鈥淚鈥檓 going to work hard.鈥�

Will is the son of Derrick and Angela Brooks. His mom is the dean of secondary education at Pinnacle. She invited everyone at school to the scholarship announcement, which she kept a secret from almost everyone in the room. 鈥淕etting the Tucker Scholarship is a blessing,鈥� she acknowledged. 鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 be more excited, and proud.鈥�

Brooks was one of 227 high school seniors who applied for the scholarship and among 56 finalists invited to campus for interviews. Applicants represented 16 states鈥攆rom as far west as Nevada to as far north as Wisconsin.

The award includes full-tuition, room and board for eight semesters. The Tuckers created the scholarship to annually recognize a high school senior who exemplifies the principles and values representative of the 成人视频 community. The qualifications are based on the Tucker family鈥檚 life verse, Mark 12:29-31. In this passage, Jesus gives the two most important commandments: 鈥淟ove the Lord Your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength; and love your neighbor as yourself.鈥�

鈥淲e met a truly outstanding group of finalists over two days in early December,鈥� shared GWU President Dr. William Downs. 鈥淔or Will to emerge atop that list of high-character, high-ability students really says something special about who he is, about how well suited he is for the 成人视频 experience, and about how confident we are that he will faithfully represent the values of our institution in all that he does. I congratulate Will and look forward to getting to know him better鈥�and I truly hope we also succeed in recruiting the other 55 finalists to join Will as Runnin鈥� Bulldogs in Fall 2025!鈥�

The Tuckers are the founders of Shoe Show Inc. in Concord, N.C. In 2010, they gave the University $5.5 million to help build the Tucker Student Center. Their daughter, Lisa, is a 1989 alumna and former volleyball player for 成人视频. She has remained actively engaged with the University for over three decades and currently serves on the Board of Trustees and the Tucker Scholarship Selection Committee. She also serves as president of the family鈥檚 business.

A senior at Pinnacle Classical Academy, Brooks is one of the top 10 students in his class. He plans to major in finance/economics at 成人视频. Brooks is also a talented musician who sings and plays piano, guitar and bass. Brooks also plays basketball, baseball, and runs cross country, all while maintaining his high academic standards.

Those who recommended him for the Tucker Scholarship noted Brooks鈥� perseverance, commitment to improvement, and leadership whether on the court, classroom or stage. 鈥淲hether contributing to a team effort or setting personal goals, Will has always been an example of determination and sportsmanship, earning the respect of both teammates and coaches,鈥� noted Pinnacle鈥檚 Associate Dean of Secondary Education Cindi Welch, who is also his math teacher. 鈥淎bove all, Will Brooks is a person of impeccable character. His integrity, kindness, and humility are qualities that consistently set him apart. He is a role model for his peers, demonstrating maturity, respect for others, and a positive attitude.鈥�

Welch also noted that Brooks is an active member of the National Honor Society and has participated in numerous community service projects, from an annual Relay for Life fundraiser to ringing the bell in the freezing cold for the local crisis assistance ministry at Christmas. 鈥淗is passion for helping others is evident through his volunteer work, where he has made a difference in our community and beyond,鈥� Welch stated in her letter. 鈥淲ill has a strong sense of responsibility and compassion, and he is always looking for ways to give back.鈥�

Brooks was also recommended by James Laughlin, his English teacher at Pinnacle for two years. Laughlin stated that Brooks stands out because even though he is the son of the high school dean, he works hard to make a name for himself. 鈥淲ill wants to make our school the best in our county,鈥� Laughlin wrote. 鈥淎nd, he shows that in the various events that he volunteers at throughout the year, the committees that he serves on, and the way that he carries himself both in and out of the classroom.鈥�

The first step in the application process is to be nominated for the Tucker Scholarship by a minister, teacher, guidance counselor or community leader who is unrelated to the student. Caswell Martin, the guidance counselor at Pinnacle, nominated him, and additional letters of recommendation were submitted by Melody M. Bradley, the music director and wife of pastor Russ Bradley at New Hope Baptist Church, and Niki Bliss-Carroll, department chair of English, Communications, and Academic Study Skills at Cleveland Community College.

Lily Streeton, of High Point, N.C., is the fifth recipient of 成人视频鈥檚 highest honor for incoming undergraduate students, the Tucker Heart, Soul, Mind and Strength Scholarship. Streeton was one of 227 high school seniors who applied for the scholarship and among 49 finalists invited to campus for interviews. Applicants represented 19 states鈥攆rom the Carolinas to California and as far away as Hawaii.

Streeton is an honor student at Wesleyan Christian Academy in High Point and volunteers with multiple community organizations that serve young people. She is the assistant worship leader at her church, Hope River in Gibsonville, N.C. She plays clarinet with the school orchestra and taught herself how to play tenor saxophone for the school鈥檚 production of 鈥淎nnie.鈥� She also has four part-time jobs.

She decided to check out 成人视频, because her band director鈥檚 daughter had gone to college at GWU. Streeton applied and received her acceptance letter. Then, the Office of Admissions sent her an email explaining the application process for the Tucker Scholarship. Streeton gathered her information and started praying.

鈥淚 prayed that if this wasn鈥檛 the school for me that God would shut it down immediately, and he鈥檚 given me the Tucker Scholarship,鈥� she affirmed. 鈥淭his is an amazing opportunity for me. It鈥檚 a huge honor. I am so beyond blessed and thankful for this.鈥�

When she came for the scholarship interview, she was impressed with the campus. 鈥淚 can see how everyone cares about each other, and they put God first as well,鈥� Streeton asserted. 鈥淚鈥檓 looking forward to meeting new people, having new experiences, seeing other communities that I can get involved in, and finding some additional family.鈥�

She plans to major in business management to follow in her mother Olivia鈥檚 footsteps. 鈥淢y mom is an entrepreneur,鈥� Streeton explained. 鈥淪he has two businesses鈥擵anity Resource, a furniture company, and Arcadia Home Delivery鈥攚hich she started because she needed someone to carry the vanities to people鈥檚 homes. She does such good work there. I see the people that she impacts, too. She calls it her missions鈥� field. The people that she hires have difficult pasts鈥攍ike alcoholism, drug abuse or they鈥檝e been convicted felons鈥攁nd I see that she gives them a second chance. She has a ton of people that she pours into and mentors. I would love to be able to do something like that.鈥�

In her scholarship essay, Streeton explained what Mark 12:29-31 meant to her. 鈥淚 strive to live each and every day of my life for my God,鈥� she asserted. 鈥淚n compassion, in selfless service, and in empathy, I live to love like Him. I will make an excellent addition to the life and ministry of 成人视频

because I am confident鈥攏ot in my own ability to live out Mark 12:30鈥攂ut by my choice each and every day to give up my life as a living sacrifice to Him so that He may work through me for His glory and His honor.鈥�

Streeton鈥檚 high school science teacher, Kevin Peele, was one of the people who recommended her for the Tucker Scholarship. Peele wrote, 鈥淚 remember her willingness to assist other students with their studies. I was especially impressed with the manner in which she was able to provide instruction to such students鈥攈er accurate explanations, given in a clear and soft-spoken manner were well received.鈥�

Winning Tucker Scholarship Made Attending 成人视频 a Reality for Recipient

By Sierra Talbert, 鈥�24, Intern for University Communications

鈥淛ust go where God leads鈥� was a repetitive phrase in a sermon that reminded Rachel Gaura that God would lead her to the right college. The answer to her prayer came in the form of the prestigious Tucker Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength Scholarship at 成人视频. Gaura is the fourth student to receive the award.

At the age of 10, Gaura, a Columbia, S.C., native, declared that she wanted to follow in her cousin鈥檚 footsteps and attend 成人视频. However, when it came time to begin her college search, she forgot about her childhood decision.

Gaura started touring colleges, looking for a place where she could feel at home and receive a quality education, but none of them felt right. As she began to grow discouraged in her search, her parents reminded her what she had said about 成人视频 when she was a child.

The welcome and warm reception she and her family received from 成人视频鈥檚 admissions team immediately set GWU apart鈥攖he experience was different from anything she had experienced on other campus visits. By the time the tour was over, Gaura knew 成人视频 was where she needed to be.

There was one hindrance鈥攚ith 成人视频 being an out-of-state university, she feared losing all of her in-state scholarships. 鈥湷扇耸悠� is where I felt like God wanted me to be, but I didn鈥檛 know how to get there,鈥� Gaura remembered thinking. 鈥淢y parents and I continued to pray about it saying, 鈥楲ord, provide. Do what you can.鈥欌��

Applying for the Tucker Scholarship was a last-minute decision for Gaura, but it turned out to be one of her biggest blessings and opportunities. 鈥淚 could not be at 成人视频 without the scholarship,鈥� she shared. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just that the Tucker family pays the bill every semester. They pour into their scholars.鈥�

Gaura truly values the connections she has made with the Tucker family. They demonstrate care and concern to each scholarship recipient. She truly appreciates the support they give to her and to the University.

Coming from a family of teachers, Gaura wanted to create a slightly different path of her own. She chose to major in psychology with plans to become a guidance counselor for elementary-age children. Gaura has a special love for kids and helping them in any way that she can. She has a passion for building personal connections and creating a space where children can feel loved and valued. She is minoring in discipleship, because she would also like to be a small group leader.

On campus, Gaura participates in the University Honors Program, works in the Advancement office and is involved in various aspects of Campus Ministries.

鈥淚 really value the caring nature of the faculty and staff. GWU professors, campus ministries, food services, etc. are the kindest people I鈥檝e ever met,鈥� Gaura asserted. 鈥淚 love how excited they are to see their students and build relationships with everyone on campus.鈥�

Writer Sierra Talbert is a communications major with a concentration in public relations graduating in May 2024. 聽

Third Tucker Scholar Thrives in Fast-Paced Campus Environment

By Sierra Talbert, 鈥�24, Intern for University Communications

Growing up in a household with a fixed budget, Tucker Scholar recipient, Kylee Morris, didn鈥檛 know how her family would pay for college. Rather than give up, she worked hard to excel in school, hoping to achieve her dream of going to college.

Morris is the third student to receive the Tucker Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength Scholarship. She was looking for very specific things when she began her college search. She wanted a school that had a small student-to-faculty ratio, a good biology program, and she wanted to be able to participate in music ensembles without being required to be a music major or minor. Morris explained, 鈥淚 searched forever and ever and ever, and the only thing that seemed promising was 成人视频.鈥�

Visiting the campus was difficult for Morris since her hometown, Morehead City, N.C., is six hours away. When she and her mother finally got an opportunity to make the trip, Morris was impressed. 鈥淓veryone was just so happy and so excited to see me, and everyone was so helpful and vibrant,鈥� she described. 鈥淪ome of the people that I met then I still know now.鈥�

She hadn鈥檛 planned on applying for the Tucker Scholarship, because she didn鈥檛 think she qualified. With encouragement from those who knew her, she submitted her application. The news that she had won came as a surprise and a huge blessing to Morris and her family. 鈥淐oming from a low-income household and being told that I wouldn’t even make it to college鈥擨 mean literally God opened the door,鈥� stated Morris. 鈥淚 knew from that moment that 成人视频 was going to be my forever home.鈥�

Morris is grateful for the opportunity to attend 成人视频 and to represent the Tucker family by serving others before herself. Morris also appreciates 成人视频鈥檚 Christian community, something she lacked going to a public school and being the only believer in her family. 鈥淚 think the top thing I value about 成人视频 is that the people I have met here remind me that I鈥檓 not alone in my walk with Christ,鈥� she affirmed.

She is a biology major with a concentration in biomedical sciences and double minor in psychology and chemistry. When she entered college, Morris鈥� goal was to pursue a career in vascular surgery. However, she has developed a passion for working in the GWU science labs and is considering other careers in the medical field relating to laboratory work, such as cytotechnology, the microscopic study of body cells to detect cancer, viral and bacterial.

Morris loves to read and work on her small business she started after the Art Club鈥檚 sale last year. 鈥淜ylee Creates鈥� is her rubber band crochet business. Morris originally began the hobby to pass time and decompress. Having a busy academic and extracurricular schedule has prevented her from getting a job, so starting 鈥淜ylee Creates鈥� allowed her to have a source of income for herself while also doing something she enjoys.

She is also involved in Marching Band, Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble, the Art Club and the Honors Student Association. From her childhood, Morris has maintained a full schedule and said she thrives in the fast-paced lifestyle. She takes time every morning to plan out every hour of her day鈥攎aking sure she takes time to relax and destress.

鈥淚 love every single activity that I participate in, and so I can never give them up,鈥� she related. 鈥淚 enjoy having a set schedule and routine to my life, and the community of people that surround me is worth the time and effort.鈥�

Writer Sierra Talbert is a communications major with a concentration in public relations.聽聽

Senior Tucker Scholar Strives to Serve Others

By Sierra Talbert, 鈥�24, Intern for University Communications

成人视频鈥檚 motto, Pro Deo et Humanitate (For God and Humanity) guides the way senior Tucker Scholar, Kyndal Jackson, approaches life. She describes herself as a servant of the Lord who strives to show His love to His people every day. Through the motto and the knowledge provided by GWU鈥檚 faculty, she feels equipped academically and spiritually to achieve her career goals as she serves God鈥檚 people.

Jackson, of Gaffney, S.C., is the second recipient of the prestigious Tucker Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength Scholarship at 成人视频. She is a biology major with a biomedical concentration and a double minor in chemistry and Spanish. Her career goal is to use her love for science and serving others to become a physician assistant for either pediatrics or women鈥檚 health.

In searching for a university, Jackson looked for a Christian school with small class sizes so that she could have a personal relationship with her professors. When visiting 成人视频, she fell in love with the Department of Natural Sciences and the close-knit, faith-based community she experienced. Jackson explained, 鈥淚t felt like an instinct school. Everything just kind of fell into place for me to go here.鈥�

Being awarded the Tucker Scholarship is a privilege that Jackson does not take lightly. It means a lot to her to obtain her degree without the financial burdens of college tuition while honoring the Tucker family. Having the opportunity to meet the late Robert B. Tucker before his passing and the rest of his family is a special memory for her.

Jackson observed, 鈥淭hey have done so much for our school. Just being able to get an award from them is such a high honor, because they鈥檙e great people.鈥� She looks forward to all the Tucker Scholar events, where she has the opportunity to connect with the Tuckers鈥� daughter, Lisa.

She has always held herself to high academic standards, which has aided her in maintaining the required GPA for the Tucker Scholarship. In addition to academics, she believes the scholarship helps her on a more personal level. Understanding that she is not perfect, Jackson desires to uphold a good reputation that glorifies God and honors the Tucker family.

Jackson is involved in many campus activities and enjoys being around people and fellowshipping with them. She is the historian for the Pre-Health Society, secretary for Sigma Zeta, a member of Alpha Chi and Sigma Delta Pi, a peer leader for STEM students, a laboratory associate, and a Bible study leader/outreach coordinator for Delight Women鈥檚 Bible Study. Away from campus, Jackson likes to try different coffee shops, play tennis, hang out with friends, and spend time with her mom and grandmother.

She values the relationships she鈥檚 developed at 成人视频 and the support she鈥檚 gained from her classmates and the professors in the Department of Natural Sciences. Jackson noted that through her classes, she has grown in her knowledge and respect for God鈥檚 beautiful and complex creation.

Because of her genuine love for learning about other languages and cultures, Jackson chose to build on her high school foundation in Spanish and minor in the language at 成人视频. She hopes her knowledge in Spanish will allow her to communicate with a wide range of people while giving her the opportunity to spread God鈥檚 Word and His love to a broader group of individuals.

鈥淚 think the education I鈥檓 receiving is very helpful and applicable to my life,鈥� Jackson shared. 鈥淚 love what 成人视频 promotes, like excellence and 鈥楩or God and humanity.鈥欌��

Writer Sierra Talbert is a communications major with a concentration in public relations.聽聽

Leah Carpenter鈥檚 smile is so genuine, people are compelled to return in kind and offer a greeting. 鈥淗er light and love radiate,鈥� affirmed her youth pastor, Taylor Campbell, when he nominated her for the Tucker Scholarship.

At the scholarship presentation in 2020, members of the selection committee described her as a 鈥渞ay of sunshine鈥濃�攐ne of the many reasons why she was named 成人视频鈥檚 first Tucker Scholar.

At the event, the Tuckers鈥� daughter, Lisa, a 1989 alumna, told Carpenter, 鈥淚 was so impressed with you from the moment we met. Everything you stand for; it beams from you immediately.鈥�

Carpenter applied for the eight-semester full-tuition, room and board scholarship but never thought she would win. 鈥淚 remember clear as day when I got the call,鈥� she related. 鈥淚t was during school and I鈥檓 crying and sobbing and calling my mom and we were jumping for joy. I never thought I was going to get it, but I鈥檓 humbled that I did.鈥�

She continued, 鈥淚鈥檓 extremely grateful for the opportunity to be here in the first place. The Tucker family has been caring and generous to me. They taught me to be generous to other people, to lead by example and show the love of God anywhere you go.鈥�

Carpenter said the weight of being the first person to represent the Tucker name can be overwhelming, but she finds encouragement in that foundational scripture. 鈥淚 remember when I got the award, and Carolyn Tucker gave me this plaque,鈥� she reflected. 鈥淚t had Mark 12:29-31 on there. She said the last thing is the most important part鈥攖o love your neighbor as yourself鈥攁nd so I鈥檝e really tried to instill that in my life at 成人视频. I think the best way to represent the Tucker family is to be love and show the love on campus.鈥�

One of the ways Carpenter shines on campus is by helping to lead a Bible study through the Delight Women鈥檚 Ministry. She also attends the student-led worship service, The Gathering. She鈥檚 a member of Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), and Student Nurses Association (SNA). During the summer, she鈥檚 involved in Carolina Cross Connection, a ministry that uses volunteers to provide home repairs for people in need. She also helps with the homeless ministry at her church.

With her attitude and personality, it鈥檚 easy to see why Carpenter chose nursing as her major. 鈥淚 wanted to be at the bedside every single day and make sure people were advocated for, and I could serve people well,鈥� she explained. 鈥淵ou truly get that one-on-one time with your patients when you are a nurse.鈥�

Now a GWU senior, Carpenter started clinical rotations when she was a sophomore. She鈥檚 observed intensive care and worked in obstetrics, medical-surgical, operating room, and behavioral health. One of her clinical instructors, adjunct Dominique Belgrave, applauded her development. 鈥淏oth nurses and patients she encountered complimented Leah on her teamwork, broad knowledge, impressive implementation and interpersonal skills,鈥� Belgrave asserted. 鈥淭hroughout the semester her confidence grew, and she learned how to use her clinical judgment when caring for her patients.鈥�

After years of pursuing the goal of being a nurse, Carpenter described the first time she cared for patients as surreal. Filled with excitement, she also experienced wonder, doubt and joy. Getting over those initial fears requires a proper balance of caution and confidence.

Carpenter concluded, 鈥淚鈥檓 excited but also have to remind myself of the responsibility I now have when it comes to caring for someone else. I love that I am learning so much in the hospital and going to clinicals has shown me just how tiring but rewarding nursing can be.鈥�