Top scholarship winners announced at Erskine
This year’s Presidential and Solomon Scholarship winners have been announced at Erskine College.
Rebecca Jane Claxton of Albemarle, N.C., has been named this year’s Presidential Scholar. The Presidential Scholarship covers tuition, required fees, and room and board, minus any state, federal, and outside scholarships or grants.
Jessica Dawn Brock of Liberty, S.C., has received the Solomon Scholarship, which covers up to 16 credit hours of tuition per semester and is renewable for a total of four years.
Claxton attends Greyfriars Classical Academy in Matthews, N.C., where her extracurricular activities have included involvement with the Latin Club, Book Nook, Yearbook, and Performing Arts Club. She attends Westminster ARP Church, where she serves as a volunteer pianist twice each month. She has welcomed opportunities for Christian service, most recently taking a mission trip to England and Ukraine with Huntersville ARP Church. She has also volunteered with Operation Christmas Child and Souper Bowl of Caring.
Erskine’s newest Presidential Scholar says she heard about the school from her uncle, Andrew David Petersen, a 1999 graduate, and her grandfather, the Rev. Douglas Petersen, an ARP minister.
“After an on-campus visit at an open house, I was hooked,” she says.
When a member of the admissions staff came to Greyfriars to present Claxton with the scholarship, “Our headmaster told us that we needed to come to chapel 10 minutes early. Nobody knew why, and he wouldn’t give any hints,” she said.
“I had already told everyone how much I wanted to go to Erskine College, and the whole school erupted in cheers when the announcement was made. The Lord blessed me with the desire of my heart.”
Claxton has not decided on a major, but says she is looking forward to “devoting my next four years to the community at Erskine,” and taking part in Erskine’s traditions. She has a keen interest in music, and has participated in the National Piano Auditions for a number of years, receiving evaluations of “Superior” or “Superior Plus.” Last year she was awarded the Paderewski Medal. At Erskine, she hopes to continue her study of piano and and sing with the Choraleers.
Brock attends Palmetto High School in Williamston, S.C., where she participates in the National Honor Society, Beta Club, Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps, the Kitty Hawk Air Society, and Robotics. She hopes to become a teacher.
“I am very thankful for the opportunities given to me and for the chance to accomplish my goals,” she says.
She is happy to receive the Solomon Scholarship and hopes to help others access such opportunities in her work as a teacher.
“I am very excited to attend Erskine in the fall and experience college life as well as make a difference in the community,” Brock says.
The two scholarship winners will join the Erskine College Class of 2023 in the fall.
