C5 Georgia Teen to Attend Brandeis University on Full-Tuition Scholarship

C5 Georgia teen Ajai Scott accepted a full scholarship from the Posse Foundation to Brandeis University worth more than $200,000 Thursday evening in the Georgia-Pacific Auditorium.

Both C5 Georgia and the Posse Foundation’s missions are to support high-potential students from risk-filled environments. Posse focuses on supporting college students from urban areas while C5 Georgia is a year-round leadership program focused on high school students whose families earn less than $10,000 a year per member.

After Thursday evening’s awards ceremony, Scott reflected on her transformation from a shy middle-school student to a character-driven, community-focused, challenge-ready, college-bound and committed-to-a-better-future student. Smiling she said, “It was the whole C5 Georgia family that really inspired my transformation. Because of their love, support and care, I’ve blossomed. The first day [of the C5 Georgia program] I thought ‘OK, I’m about to start a new chapter in my life. I’m about to step out of my comfort zone.”

As Scott continued to speak of her plans to earn her Bachelor’s degrees in business from Brandeis, it quickly became clear that she was not just interested in the money and notoriety such an education could bring to her. She spoke at length about her desire to spread success to the other people in her community by providing resources and encouragement. Scott was adamant that she planned to open local rescue missions and tutoring programs targeted at those in need.

Scott said “It’s unbelievable. I see myself as a successful, young African-American woman who has in many ways blossomed throughout the C5 Georgia program and will continue to blossom in college with the Posse Foundation’s help.”

C5 Georgia students Vy Tran, Donald Brown, Colin Neubauer, Naja Mix, Julia Ngai, Earl Puckett and Clifford Banks have also received early notification of their acceptance in university programs.

Tran has been admitted to Stanford University through Questbridge. Questbridge is a scholarship program, like the Posse Foundation, that matches high-potential students from low-income households with selective colleges and provides full scholarships to those selected.

Brown, Neubauer, Mix, Ngai, Puckett and Banks have been accepted to New York University, the University of Georgia, Louisiana State University, Georgia State University, Kennesaw State University and Auburn University respectively.