QuestBridge Scholar Mia Kwarteng

Mimi-Ama Kwarteng

One accomplished member of the Tallulah Falls School Class of 2021 will continue her education at Washington & Lee University, thanks to a full, four-year scholarship from QuestBridge.

Mimi-Ama “Mia” Kwarteng of Snellville is thrilled to join an elite group of high-achieving seniors as a QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship recipient.

“It has boosted my self-confidence,” Kwarteng said. “When the pandemic hit, I lowered my expectations. I didn’t think I could do what was possible.”

After going through the extensive application process, she realized a dream. The child of immigrant parents, Kwarteng’s journey has not been smooth; she and her mom were struggling financially for a time after her parents divorced.

The QuestBridge scholarship was among 60 applications Kwarteng completed; she knew if she wanted to continue her education, it would be up to her to earn money to attend.

After making it through the first round, she had to see if she would be a match for any of the 12 schools she selected as part of the application.

“That’s when it really hit me,” she said. “I wanted to get to the second stage.”

It was nerve-wracking, she said, because, during the application process, the storms last fall caused issues with wi-fi, further complicating an already stressful process.

On the day the matches were announced, she was too nervous to open the online portal, she said.

Her friend Kally Momoh read the good news to her.

“I was crying and screaming,” Kwarteng said.

She plans to study biomedical engineering at Washington & Lee and then apply to Rice University for a master’s degree. Eventually, she wants to work on manufacturing prosthetics for individuals with disabilities.

Her mother and older sister helped her throughout the process.

“She [mother Matilda Arhin] really supported me. She was even more optimistic than I was. I didn’t have much confidence,” she said. “’You should try,’ she told me.”

She’s also grateful for the support of her faculty and staff members, especially Academic Dean Kim Popham, College Counselor Dr. Brandy Corbett, School Counselor Michelle Barron, Registrar Katie Keister and teachers Dallas Barron and Dr. Lynda Jenkins.

“Mia is an exceptional emerging scholar,” Jenkins said. “Mia is a young woman who continually pushes herself to excel in everything she pursues. She is a delight to work with. She brings humor and positivity to class every day. I truly cannot wait to see what the future holds for this remarkable young woman.”

Another QuestBridge scholar, TFS Class of 2019 member Nyah Williams added her support to this year’s honoree. Williams is studying at the University of Pennsylvania.

“As a recipient of the QuestBridge National College Match, I’ve had firsthand experience on how this scholarship opportunity is such a weight lifted off the shoulders of college students,” Williams said. “It allows high-achieving students to focus on their schoolwork and delve into every aspect of the college experience without a financial burden, and I could not think of anyone more deserving than Mia. She will have complete freedom to follow any career path she wishes at an excellent university while being fully supported by QuestBridge. I cannot imagine college without this program, and I am so excited for Mia also to have this opportunity.

Welcome to the family, and good luck!”

QuestBridge, a national nonprofit based in Palo Alto, California, connects the nation’s most exceptional, low-income youth with leading institutions of higher education and further life opportunities. By recruiting, developing, and motivating these students — beginning in high school through college to their early career — QuestBridge aims to help talented low-income students attend the nation’s best colleges and to support them to achieve success in their respective careers and communities.

TFS ALUM MAKES HIS MARK

One Tallulah Falls School alumnus is on a career fast track to working on a high-profile real estate project near Athens.

Trey Wilcox, TFS class of 2017, graduated from the University of Georgia in December 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Wilcox is currently an associate with Gibbs Capital, the real estate investment and development company leading the Wire Park project, a multiuse redevelopment of the former Southwire Industrial Park.

According to its website, “Wire Park builds on the rich history of a longtime economic anchor for the community of Watkinsville, Georgia – the Southwire manufacturing plant. It will be a place for people to gather and enjoy a multitude of amenities. Wire Park’s footprint spans more than 60 acres, encompassing a revitalized industrial site complete with curated shops, restaurants, a public park, creative workspaces, residential homes and condos, and pristine woodlands.”

In his role with Gibbs Capital, Wilcox serves as the promotion team coordinator for Wire Park.

“I am responsible for ensuring all promotion of the project is run smoothly and our marketing team is equipped with the tools needed to successfully engage with potential customers and residents,” Wilcox said. “I also play a role in business development where I interact with potential tenants and businesses by giving them useful information and connecting them with listing agents.”

He has some advice for TFS students considering college and career options, emphasizing the importance of work ethic, something he knows first-hand. Wilcox has owned his own lawn care business since 2014. Additionally, his volunteer resume is impressive – he helped to establish a long-running tennis tournament that benefits a local domestic violence prevention nonprofit, he leads music at his church and has led youth tennis clinics.

“Take risks now if it’s something you enjoy and learn to grow from failure. You will fail but that is good,” he said. “Learn from it and keep moving forward. Don’t let society convince you that showing up is all it takes to get what you want. It takes hard work. If you work twice as hard as the people around you, you’ll be successful.”

He’s also inspired by those who are further along the career ladder, including Mark Switch, who helped developed his interest in real estate and his current boss Duke Gibbs. “I learn from Duke every day,” he said.

Trey Wilcox

Why choose Tallulah Falls School?

Trey Wilcox made the move to TFS late in his high school career; both his parents were TFS employees at the time. Mom Lisa Wilcox is the school nurse at the middle school and dad Mark Wilcox retired last year as head baseball coach.

“Coming to TFS was a family decision,” Trey Wilcox said, to better prepare him for college.

He made quick and close connections with friends, he said of his time at TFS.

His favorite memories involve playing sports – baseball, basketball and tennis – including the exciting win against Washington-Wilkes to end his senior season, with his father Mark Wilcox as head coach.

“Playing with those guys and for my dad will be a memory that always stays with me,” he said.

He also has fond memories of Dr. Robert Barron, his sense of humor and his commitment to teaching as well as Coach Jim Van Hooser for pushing him and his teammates on the basketball court.