Washington College Magazine
College Names First Hynson Scholar
Joyell Johnson, a Kent County High School senior, has been selected as the first recipient of the Kent County Vincent Hynson '87 Scholarship.
Established in memory of the Washington College alumnus and community leader, the scholarship will meet 100% of Johnson's annual educational expenses—tuition, room, board and book costs—not met by federal and state need-based grants.
Joyell Johnson is following her sister, Tamika '04, to Washington College.
College President Baird Tipson created the new minority scholarship fund for Kent County High School students last year with a personal commitment of $15,000 a year from his own salary. The College recently secured additional gifts to fund a second Hynson Scholar to enroll for the 2007-08 academic year. The intent is to have a Hynson Scholar in all four classes.
Johnson's application essay examined the life of Vincent Hynson as someone who broke down barriers for African Americans and between people of all races and creeds—a goal that she envisions for her own life. As senior class vice president, National Honor Society president, student ambassador and active community volunteer, Johnson admits that she likes to keep busy.
For the last three years she has worked as a counselor in an after-school program at Garnett Elementary School.
"I work with students from Pre-K all the way up to fourth grade and help them with homework, study habits, teamwork skills and problem solving skills," she explains. She uses the weekends "to catch up on sleep."
With a variety of interests from dance to modeling, entrepreneurship to performing arts, she admits it might be difficult to settle on a major.
"Actually, so much interests me, I'll have a hard time choosing," she says. "First, I thought I would like to study psychology. Right now I am looking at business and international studies because I like learning about different cultures."
Not surprising for someone who spent the first 10 years of life traveling the world with her family, settling in Kent County nine years ago after her father retired after 22 years with the U. S. Army. "If there is a student who emulates Vincent Hynson's example, it's Joyell," said President Baird Tipson. "She is someone who sees no barriers to what she can achieve in her life and lends a helping hand to others to make a difference in their lives. She is making positive contributions to our community, and I have no doubt that she will bring that same energy to our campus."
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