Kirksville's Emma Bushnell Wins Eagle Select Scholarship
Scott Queen
14 November 2018
The Eagle Select Program at Central Methodist University pits some of the most outstanding high school seniors against the challenges of high grade point averages, ACT scores, interviews, and testing.
The winner comes away with more than bragging rights. He or she takes the prize of four years of tuition-free attendance at Central, valued at more than $97,000.
Emma Bushnell, a senior at Kirksville High School, won the prestigious and competitive scholarship this year. The competition was held two weeks ago, and Emma shined among many other outstanding students from across the United States who participated in the competition.
Dr. Joe Parisi, vice president for enrollment management, along with admissions counselor DaSean Stokes, surprised Emma and her family Wednesday by visiting Kirksville and presenting the award. Many of her classmates were on hand and gave her a standing ovation.
“I was impressed with Emma and her parents,” Parisi said. “I am very confident she will thrive at Central.”
To compete, Emma and the others were required to have at least a 3.5 grade point average and a minimum ACT score of 26. Contestants came to CMU the day of competition to undergo a series of interviews and tests involving math, verbal, and written skills.
Emma wowed a number of CMU faculty, staff, and administrators with her knowledge and poise, Parisi said.
Emma will compete in cross country at Central in the fall of 2019. At Kirksville, she was involved in the band program for three years. She works at the Adair County Public Library, and is very actively involved with the Worthington Baptist Church, where her grandfather is pastor.
The Eagle Select Program at Central Methodist University pits some of the most outstanding high school seniors against the challenges of high grade point averages, ACT scores, interviews, and testing.