The educational foundation children receive when they are young can help shape who they become. That is the case for Ci鈥橝nee Campbell, who took pre-K classes at Community Hills Early Learning Center (CHELC) and will be attending Princeton University this fall on a full scholarship.
Campbell, who is now 18 years old, was in Carolyn Lowe鈥檚 pre-K class at CHELC when she was 3 years old. Campbell fondly remembers Lowe, who still teaches in the same classroom.
鈥淲hen I was younger, I was not as expressive. And so being in Ms. Carolyn鈥檚 class, she was basically the only person I would speak to,鈥� Campbell explained. 鈥淪he was a very key part into the person I am today. Because she was always there to comfort you and make you feel comfortable.鈥�
Lowe remembers Campbell as a little girl with a lovable and happy spirit who was a quick learner and very inquisitive and creative. While she wasn鈥檛 outgoing, Lowe said Campbell would speak up when she needed to and was observant and cared for her classmates, trying to console them if they got upset.
After graduating from CHELC, Campbell attended New Horizons Community Charter School and North Star Academy High School. In high school, Campbell focused on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). She is specifically interested in chemical engineering.
To further her education, Campbell applied to Princeton University through QuestBridge National College Match, which is a college and scholarship application process that helps low-income high school seniors gain admission and full four-year scholarships to the nation鈥檚 most selective colleges. The scholarships cover tuition and room and board for accepted students.
QuestBridge applicants rank their preferences of colleges, but must apply to each institution individually. They commit to attending the highest ranked preference they are accepted to.
鈥淧rinceton was my number one choice. I knew I wanted to go there so I didn鈥檛 apply to other schools,鈥� Campbell said. 鈥淧rinceton University is one of the universities that allocates the most to undergraduate research. I wanted to go to a university that would prioritize me as an undergraduate because I鈥檓 not sure if I鈥檓 going to go to grad school.鈥�
Lowe isn鈥檛 surprised that Campbell received a full scholarship to attend Princeton and that she鈥檚 pursuing science.
鈥淪he was articulate as a 3-year-old. We could talk and we would talk all day,鈥� Lowe said. 鈥淪he was really sharp at 3 years old. And I would tell her mom that she was very observant. I鈥檇 just watch her sometimes, how she鈥檇 build in the block area. I thought this little girl is going to be a scientist one day.鈥�
While Lowe had an impact on Campbell, Lowe said Campbell and her mother also affected her.
鈥淭he mom was very concerned about Ci鈥橝nee. And it was really then I knew the importance of relating to the family at school,鈥� Lowe said.
She explained that Campbell鈥檚 mother Towanna would ask about her daughter鈥檚 day, often waiting for Lowe to finish speaking with other parents or working with other children.
鈥淲e鈥檙e not only rendering services to the children, but it鈥檚 the whole family,鈥� Lowe said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 when I really got the big picture.鈥�
Campbell has remained very involved in activities throughout her educational career. She was captain of her school鈥檚 STEM program where she competed against other high schools in scholastic competitions. She served as manager of her school鈥檚 basketball team. She was instrumental in bringing the AP Capstone program to her high school, which offers more challenging courses for students. She also works part-time.
Campbell is looking forward to continuing her education at Princeton in the fall and is excited for the future. Her preschool teacher is very proud of her former student and said it鈥檚 stories like Campbell鈥檚 that make her job worthwhile.
鈥淐i鈥橝nee Campbell is certainly a testament to the example we as educators hope to witness,鈥� Lowe said. 鈥淚 am proud to know that I was able to share in the development of this young lady and the many other success stories that began in March 2001 right here at 85 Irvine Turner Boulevard, Newark, N.J.鈥�
