Scholarship winners plan to join Class of 2030

Four high-achieving students who participated in the Fall 2025 Presidential Scholarship Competition last month have been selected for top scholarships at Erskine College.

The agenda for the competition, which was hosted on the Erskine campus Nov. 7-8, included individual and group interviews with faculty and staff, a team-building activity, and debate, as well as a catered lunch, dinner with student hosts, an overnight stay in residence halls, and breakfast with the Admissions team.

The Presidential Scholarship is the highest scholarship award offered at Erskine, and covers tuition, room and board, and required fees, minus any state, federal, or outside scholarships and grants. The two students selected to receive the scholarship during the fall competition are Cooper Phillips, a student at Belton-Honea Path High School, Honea Path, S.C., and Mayci Smith, who attends New Covenant School, Anderson S.C.

Currently ranked sixth in a class of 229, Cooper plans to major in Music Education at Erskine and hopes to participate in several musical ensembles. He is a member of the National Beta Club and the National Honor Society and engages in community service through both organizations.

Cooper is a sound technician for his high school; is president of the Belton-Honea Path High School (BHP) Chamber Singers; has played with his high school ensembles; serves as an accompanist for several churches; and is the pianist for a church in his hometown.

“Cooper Phillips is an amazing young man,” says BHP Director of Choral Activities Melissa Henderson. “He has a servant’s heart and is always ready to help. Cooper is a leader and strives to always make others feel welcomed and appreciated.”

At his church, Cooper is a member of the praise team. In the community, he is a year-round volunteer with Operation Christmas Child and has organized a monthly Bible study for teenagers.

Describing himself as “in shock” after receiving the scholarship, Cooper says, “I know that this accomplishment is so much bigger than myself, so I thank God and all of those who have provided me with this opportunity—family, friends, and the Erskine staff.”

Mayci expressed a similar reaction to the award. “Receiving the Presidential Scholarship was a complete surprise. I am overwhelmed with gratitude and thankfulness,” she says, adding that her parents and family have not only supported her academically but “have shaped me into the person I am today.” She sees the scholarship as “a testament of God’s goodness” in her life.

As vice president of the American Christian Honor Society (ACHS) chapter at her school, Mayci has partnered with churches and nonprofits for service projects. She has also participated in “the Lot project, Joy Comes, Widows Watchman, and AIM for the last six years” through her school, she says. Named a student life captain, she has lettered in art, drama, and music at her school and served as a delegate to ALA Palmetto Girls State.

Mayci senses a strong calling to work with children and plans to major in Elementary Education. She has been accepted into the Honors Institute; is interested in student leadership programs and Baptist Campus Ministries; and plans to join the Choraleers.

Active in her church, Mayci says her former youth pastor, Jared Saleeby, and his wife Ruth “have influenced the person I am today.” She cites “countless hours of Christian counseling from Ruth Saleeby, who taught her “what it looks like to mature in faith and…to hand over the things we can’t control to God even when it’s difficult.”

The Luke and Amelia Solomon Scholarship covers up to 16 credit hours of tuition per semester and is renewable for a total of four years. Winners of the Solomon Scholarship chosen at the fall competition are Alexa Harrison, a student at Greer Middle College, a public charter school in Simpsonville, S.C., and Leah Hendrix, who attends Camden High School, Camden, S.C.

At her school, Alexa has served as captain of her varsity soccer team (All-Region); head photographer on the Media Team; National Honor Society president; and social media manager for the Pep Team. In addition to varsity soccer, she has played varsity basketball and is a recipient of the Blazer Award, given to a student athlete. At her church, she runs the social media page, started a Bible study for high schoolers, and teaches preschool Sunday school. In her community, she has accumulated 250 hours of service. She is a National Merit Scholarship Commended Scholar.

Calling Alexa “incredibly intelligent and reflective” as well as “hardworking and committed,” her homeroom teacher, Brendon LaPoe, says, “She never gives up, and instead of competing at the expense of others, she lifts up everyone around her.”

Alexa hopes to major in Health Sciences with a minor in Bible and Religion. She would like to become a physical therapist. Committed to play on the Women’s Soccer Team, she intends to participate in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

“I am grateful and honored to receive the Solomon award, and left in awe of the way God provides,” she says. “I intend to use this blessing not only to pursue my intended major, but also to take every opportunity available to me to grow in faith and pursue a deeper relationship with the Lord.”

Leah, ranked second in a class of more than 200, is a four-year varsity volleyball player (All-Region in 2025) as well as a four-year member of the track and field team (All-Region in 2024 and 2025) and is a leader in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at her school. She serves as vice president of Beta Club, a Student Council representative, a member of the National Honor Society, and a junior marshal.

At her church, she is a member of SALT (Set Apart Leadership Team), works with toddlers in KidZone, and has taken several mission trips. She has completed 25 hours of community service, with more activity planned, and has volunteered with AmeriCorps, where she assists in a 4K classroom and works in a food pantry.

Leah credits two mentors with the greatest influence on her school experience—Joey Hendrix, who is her father, her AP Biology teacher, and her track and field coach, and Tristany Radford, who was her “favorite fourth grade teacher and later my high school volleyball coach.”

At Erskine, Leah plans to major in Health Sciences, participate in the Honors Institute, and play Women’s Volleyball. She also hopes to serve in student leadership and in Erskine’s FCA.

Grateful to her parents for her upbringing, Leah says, “It means so much to me to receive the Solomon award.” She is thankful that the full-tuition scholarship will mean financial savings for her family.

At top, Cooper Phillips, center, with Erskine staff members, from left, Shelby Rentz, Jamie Wolff, Robin Broome, Juan Williams, Paul Bell, Adam Alberson, and Noah Hill