Black Firsts, September 2008: Edwina Morris

Edwina Morris

***

Congratulations to Edwina Morris, a senior at Science Hill High School in Johnson City, Tennessee. Morris is the first African American ever to be selected for the Roan Scholars Leadership Program, an honor that includes a full four-year scholarship to East Tennessee State University.

Nicki Mayo describes Morris’s successes on tricities.com:

Morris is humble and modest about her intentions for the scholarship. The 18-year-old is taking part in a clinical internship at the James H. and Cecile C. Quillen Rehabilitation Hospital. She started her 80-hour program Wednesday and plans to take the examination to become a certified nurse assistant around graduation time.

“I’ve always thought I’d leave Johnson City after graduation,” says the high school senior. She considered attending Nashville’s Vanderbilt University and Maryville College.
“The more that it was brought to my attention what it was a bout and how a roan scholarship is defined I said ‘wow this is me,’” she adds.

This fall, Morris plans to enroll in ETSU’s pre-Medical program. She hopes to become a surgeon or obstetrician. Right now, the Science Hill senior says she plans to focus on her roles as Student Government Association school wide representative and president of the Health Occupation Students of America chapter.

Posted by Ajuan Mance