Central High School senior, Mackenzie Dunson, has been awarded a full academic scholarship to Amherst College in Massachusetts as part of this year’s QuestBridge program. She plans to study English and pursue a career in broadcast journalism or work for a major publishing company as a book editor.
QuestBridge is a national non-profit program based in Palo Alto, California, that connects exceptional, high-achieving high school seniors from low-income backgrounds with full four-year scholarships to the nation’s top colleges. By recruiting, developing, and motivating these students, QuestBridge aims to help talented students attend the nation’s best colleges and to support them to achieve success in their respective careers and communities.
Out of over 18,500 applicants, QuestBridge selected 6,885 finalists to be considered for the QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship. This year, QuestBridge’s 42 college partners matched with a record number of 1,464 finalists. Mackenzie has been a member of the Marching Pride band all four years in high school. She serves as the band’s 12 th grade class representative and section leader for
Saxophones. She plays the alto and baritone saxophone. Mackenzie participates in Beta Club, National Honor Society, Key Club and is a member of the Math Team. Mackenzie is the daughter of Vanessa and Stanley Dunson of Carrollton. “I am very excited for Mackenzie and proud of her for receiving this incredible scholarship,” stated Principal Jared Griffis. He continued, “She is another example of
the outstanding students we have here at Central High. I cannot wait to see the successes Mackenzie will have in her future.”
