Columbia, SC - (WLTX) The Central Carolina Community foundation is giving back to the Midlands by distributing more than $400,000 in scholarships that are helping local students go to college.
Through partnerships with donors the organization distributes scholarship funds across the Midlands. Wilfredo Anderson a student at USC received the Harmon Scholarship, a scholarship to help students realize and believe in the American dream that would cover full tuition to a four-year school.
Wilfredo Anderson describes the moment his dream became his reality. He says, "I distinctively remember being asked are you ready to go college? I said yes sir and he says that's great because you're going on a full ride! I ran out and called my mom and she said my babies going to college for free and it was a beautiful moment."
But for Anderson it's been more than just about money. This has changed the entire direction of his college career.
Anderson says, "With having a full ride scholarship the main impact it's had is that it has freed me up to take on some many different opportunities just not having the financial burden. So just this past December I had the opportunity to study in China for 15 days and I honestly think if it wasn't able to have that scholarship and that financial support it would have only been a dream."
But Wilfredo says although the full ride has been an incredible opportunity what he really wants is to use this experience to be a blessing to somebody else.
He says, "When I was awarded the scholarship I said my biggest hope was to leave the ladder down for the people coming behind me."
Anderson goes on to say, "If I could tell my younger self something in high school I would tell him to be ready for what you don't know is coming. The best plans come out of complete uncertainty. One of the best quotes I learned is that luck is preparation meeting opportunity so as long as your ready things will always work out."
Scholarship applications for the 2019-2020 will open in January 2019. More information can be found here.