Brenau Scholar: Cynthia Ayala-Mata
Cynthia Ayala-Mata of Lawrenceville, Georgia, has made a huge mark on her family history: She is the first in her family to complete high school and go to college. Admittedly, she initially wasn’t sure what she visualized for herself when attending university. “I grew up in Marietta, in a very small area, and I couldn’t […]
Brenau Scholar: Ashton Stockdale
Ashton Stockdale from Tucker, Georgia, had a personal experience at an early age that led to her decision to apply for Brenau’s pre-nursing program. “When I was in fourth grade, my grandfather, who we call ‘Pop,’ was diagnosed with congestive heart failure,” Stockdale says. “He was told that his chances were slim for any type […]
Brenau Scholar: Anna Rose
Anna Rose has plunged headlong into her freshman year at Brenau. A biology major from Mobile, Alabama, she’s already had an impressive start to both her swimming and academic careers at Brenau. At the Converse Invitational in Spartanburg, South Carolina, in October, Rose’s 400-yard medley relay team took first place. Rose also took first in […]
Brenau Scholar: Alyssa Eblen
Alyssa Eblen from Dacula, Georgia, is pursuing degrees in theater and organizational leadership in the hope of running her own theater company someday. That dream was ignited by her first introduction to Brenau’s world of theater. “I came to Brenau to see Guys and Dolls while I was in high school, and I was blown […]
Brenau Scholar: Abby Cape
Originally planning to study middle grades education, Abby Cape of Gainesville, Georgia, quickly decided that she would much rather “do” than “teach,” so she switched to a business major with plans of running her own business after graduation. “My mom and dad both own businesses, so they really persuaded me to go into business for […]
Introducing Sen. Fuller
At 19, Brenau Scholar Katherine Fuller has mapped out a 30-year course to the U.S. Senate. At Harris County High School, the Ellerslie, Georgia, native was state governor in Key Club International. She worked in campaigns for State Sen. Josh McCoon and U.S. Sen. David Perdue. The political science and legal studies major is Student Government Association freshman class […]
‘Nothing can take me down’
Brenau Scholar Jihae Stanfield from Lawrenceville, Georgia, attended Berkmar High – a school that posted a 58 percent graduation rate in 2014. “I am one of those kids who were on free and reduced lunch,” the 18-year-old says reflectively, without self-pity. “I wouldn’t say I grew up in poverty, but I certainly wasn’t as privileged as some.” That experience motivated […]
Taking it to the next stage
Eighteen-year-old Brenau Scholar Hannah Skelton from Cleveland, Georgia, applied a simple strategy for deciding where she would go to college: attend as many college plays and musicals as she could and pick the school that put on the most impressive stage production. Brenau beat all contenders. “They were amazing,” the musical theater major said. “I wanted to be a part […]
A different kind of therapist
Brenau Scholar Allie McConnell, 18, a Forsyth Central High grad from Cumming, Georgia, already has racked up considerable experience working with mentally and developmentally disabled children. She has helped special education children in school, and she spent two high school years helping students with severe disabilities. She volunteered at a hometown gym to teach special needs kids. She frequently cared for […]
Muscling past intimidation
Brenau Scholar Chayla Park from Peachtree City, Georgia, played four years of varsity soccer at 2014-15 Class AAAAA state championship Starr’s Mill High School team. Although there probably was no question as to what the 18-year-old Park would choose as an extracurricular activity, she knew Brenau had launched a physical therapy program, and that profession is where she wants to […]
