Blaisdell Aplin, recent graduate of Dutch Fork High School and daughter of Susan and Ben Aplin, is the recipient of PAGE Five’s annual $1,000 merit scholarship.
She will be attending the South Carolina Honors College at the University of South Carolina where she will major in business. She also plans to pursue a master’s degree in business and hopes to one day own her own business or work in the marketing or data analytics department of a large company.
Aplin began gifted programs in elementary school and continued throughout her time in District Five schools.
“At eight years old, I was introduced to the concept of being academically gifted in my AGP class, but I did not understand at the time how valuable the program was for nurturing my academic potential,” she reflected. “AGP was the catalyst for my future success in the classroom. It was where I learned to challenge myself, problem solve, and ask questions.”
In addition to taking courses for gifted students, Aplin also participated in extracurricular activities in high school, including the Building Bridges Leadership Institute, Junior Civitans, National Honor Society, and the Columbia Rowing Club. In addition, she served as an American Red Cross blood donor and a guest services representative at Nothing Bundt Cakes.
To be eligible for the PAGE Five merit scholarship, applicants must be high school seniors in good standing at a District Five high school and participants in International Baccalaureate (IB), Advanced Placement (AP), and/or Honors courses. They must also be on course to graduate from high school in the spring and enroll in college for the fall term of the same year. Additionally, they are required to submit an application and essay. Each candidate is then rated on academic achievement and quality of essay.
PAGE Five is a volunteer, non-profit support network for parents, educators, policy-makers, and residents of School District Five of Lexington and Richland counties who are interested in enhancing and advocating education for gifted and talented students in School District Five. Members of the organization promote education for gifted and talented students, disseminate information on and build awareness about gifted education, provide enrichment opportunities, and assist families with scholarships and tuition aid for gifted students.
