Woodlands Academy grads earn nearly $1.5 million in scholarships

The 22 members of Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart's Class of 2018 received their diplomas June 7 during the 159th Commencement Ceremony at the all-girls college-preparatory day-and-boarding high school in Lake Forest.

They're heading off to college this fall having earned a total of 62 scholarships worth more than $1.3 million.

"I am so proud of these very motivated, talented, young women who worked so hard on their college and scholarship application processes," Woodlands Academy college counselor Mike Ford said.

"This demonstrated dedication to their futures is a true testament to their families, as well as the education and preparation they received here at Woodlands."

During her graduation ceremony address, valedictorian Mikayla Swanson, who will be attending Georgetown University in the fall, thanked all at Woodlands Academy for helping the Class of 2018 evolve from young girls into confident women.

"Not only will 100 percent of us be attending college, the 22 of us have collectively been accepted to 133 colleges and have been awarded over $1.3 million in scholarships," she said." Colleges want more Sacred Heart girls, and the world needs more."

This year's achievements include a prestigious Posse Scholar award to Ryan Hayes-Owens, who will be attending Agnes Scott College, a liberal arts school for women in Georgia, this fall. The Posse Foundation identifies, recruits and trains students with extraordinary leadership potential.

Less than 7 percent of the students nominated nationwide are chosen as recipients of the four-year, full tuition scholarships from Posse's partner colleges. Selection follows a rigorous application and interview process, as well as a six-month seminar.

Woodlands Academy's comprehensive College Counseling program is an important reason why, year after year, 100 percent of its graduates are accepted into college, including some of the most prestigious schools in the country, as well as the impressive scholarship successes this year's total represents.

The program features Woodlands' unique College Skills class, in which the instructor guides students through the college process both junior and senior years in a classroom setting. It's a prime example of how Woodlands Academy provides all the support students and their parents need in the competitive college-selection process.

For more information about Woodlands Academy, visit www.woodlandsacademy.org.

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