Senior Maggie Jackson has spent her whole school career at The O’Neal School, a private college preparatory school in Southern Pines dedicated to the development of academic excellence and many other fundamental traits.
Jackson, a Rockingham resident, is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Jackson of Rockingham.
Looking back, she has many great memories and achievements. Winning the Helen Pringle Holmberg Scholarship as a rising ninth grade student comes to mind. “It was my stamp of assurance that I would continue my education at O’Neal,” Jackson said. “It was a huge honor to win this scholarship and very nice of the Holmberg family to allow for this type of opportunity.”
The Holmberg Scholarship is one of three Upper School scholarships awarded each year to a rising ninth grade student. It is the only one of the three that is solely merit-based. Even though the past two years the Holmberg Scholarship has been awarded to a non-O’Neal student, this scholarship is the only one of the three for which current O’Neal students are allowed to apply.
During her Upper School years, Jackson has represented O’Neal well on the field and in the gym with her strong athleticism in basketball, soccer and volleyball. As a junior, Jackson spent a semester on a study abroad in Vigo, Spain. She had a desire to become fluent in the Spanish language and she was curious to learn more about the country.
“I became friends with exchange students at O’Neal,” said Jackson. “They liked their experience studying abroad so watching them encouraged me to want to try it,” she said.
Learning the Spanish language is one of the many unexpected interests she gained by attending O’Neal’s Upper School. “I never expected to like art the way I do,” she said, “and science has become more interesting.” Science is the study that Jackson hopes to pursue in college — sports science or physical therapy to be exact.
Presently, Jackson is looking at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, UNC Wilmington, University of South Carolina, Elon University and Campbell University for college next year.
The Helen Pringle Holmberg Scholarship is given by the Holmberg family in honor of their daughter, a member of the O’Neal Class of 1997 and The O’Neal School’s first John Motley Morehead Scholarship recipient. With eligibility requirements similar to those of the Morehead, The Helen Pringle Holmberg Scholarship is awarded to a rising ninth grader, who has at least an A- cumulative academic average for grades seven and eight and whom the Scholarship Committee deems the most outstanding candidate. The scholarship covers 75 percent of the Upper School tuition and is renewable each year through grade twelve as long as the student’s cumulative grade point average remains at 3.5 (B+) or greater.
In addition to the Holmberg Scholarship, two other Upper School Scholarships are offered: The Nuzzo Family Foundation Scholarship and the Hannah Marie Bradshaw Scholarship.
The Nuzzo Family Foundation Scholarship is given by Mr. and Mrs. Sal Nuzzo in honor of the Rev. John Nicola, a retired priest who was for many years O’Neal’s Latin instructor. The Nuzzo family recognizes the importance of a strong educational background. A full four-year O’Neal Upper School scholarship, the award is given to a rising ninth grader who is not currently an O’Neal student and whose family demonstrates financial need. The scholarship covers 100 percent of the Upper School tuition and is renewable each year through grade twelve as long as the student’s cumulative average remains at 3.5 (B+) or greater.
The Hannah Marie Bradshaw Scholarship is given in memory of Hannah Marie Bradshaw, whose enthusiasm, curiosity, and spirit of friendship enhanced the character of her O’Neal class.
Bradshaw loved The O’Neal School as a positive place that helped her reach her true potential. The Hannah Marie Bradshaw Scholarship is a $5,000 scholarship given to a rising ninth grader who is not currently an O’Neal student and whose family demonstrates financial need. The scholarship is renewable each year through grade twelve as long as the student’s cumulative grade point average remains at 3.5 (B+) or greater.
The O’Neal School also offers transportation services for a separate fee. O’Neal buses have routes serving students who reside in surrounding counties.
A member of the National Association for Independent Schools, The O’Neal School is a college preparatory school serving students from Pre-K3 through grade 12. It holds dual accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and The Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS). Financial Aid is available for students who qualify. 100 percent of The O’Neal School’s graduating seniors are accepted to colleges and universities across the nation.
There is one application to complete for consideration for any of the three scholarships. Interested students may download an application or retrieve more information by going to www.ONealSchool.org or call Alice Droppers, director of Admissions at 910-692-6920. All completed applications must be received on or before April 2, 2013.
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