by Brandi Miller for the FCT

Jamal Anderson is going to have a busy summer.  He will be busy working at his part-time job, he will be busy participating in Tiger football training, and he will be busy being a student at the University of Alabama from May 24-June 26.

Anderson, a junior at Red Bay High School, has been awarded a scholarship to attend the Rural Health Scholars Program.  This program is conducted by the College of Community Health Sciences and allows 25 rising high school seniors from rural Alabama to live on the University of Alabama campus during a five-week summer program.

“The Rural health scholarship program gives students from smaller communities’ opportunities to participate in a pre-med environment on the collegiate level” said RBHS assistant principal Jeff Madden.  “We are very proud of Jamal for receiving this honor.”

To be chosen for this honor the participants applying have to be a rising high school senior, be a resident of rural Alabama for a least six years, have a B average or a 3.0 GPA, taken the ACT and made a minimum score of 21, have an interest in health care with a desire to return to rural Alabama, submit two letters of recommendation from the guidance counselor and a teacher, and submit a statement of interest.   Anderson, having met all these requirements, was chosen from an extensive pool of applicants.

“I was recommended by Dr. Kay Hargett, “said Anderson.  “And I was one out of twenty-five chosen out of all that applied.”

“Jamal not only strives for academic excellence, but demonstrates compassion and professionalism as well,” said Hargett.  “Jamal cares about others and demonstrates this on a daily basis.  It is Jamal’s goal to become a pharmacist to help those who are in need.”

Anderson will enroll in special sections of two University of Alabama academic courses.  He will be enrolling in Creative Writing (EN 200) and Introductory to Chemistry with laboratory (CH 104).  Anderson will take these two courses at no risk, and if he earns an A, B, or C he will receive college credit.  If he doesn’t earn an A, B, or C, he will not be penalized.  Any grade lower than a C will not be recorded on the student’s academic record.

“I’m hoping to get a view into what it will be like in college,” said Anderson.

Besides taking the classes, Anderson will have the opportunity to participate in lectures related to rural health careers and take field trips to rural health care facilities and a medical school.

“I plan to major in pharmacy and chemistry,” said Anderson.  “I believe I can help people with the degrees and I enjoy them.”

Anderson will live in a University residence hall and eat in University dining halls while attending.   He states that is looking forward to taking the college classes to prepare him for college the most.

While Anderson is away at Tuscaloosa preparing for his future, he can be sure everyone back home in Red Bay will be cheering him on and wishing him nothing but success.  He has made his hometown proud.