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ECC Celebrates New Students on Signing Day

North East Carolina Preparatory School seniors Jonathan Turner (left) and Marcus Wilford are excited about attending �鶹��Ƶ���߹ۿ� this fall. They participated in ECC Signing Day held May 15 at NECP.

More than a hundred Edgecombe County high school seniors declared their intention to attend �鶹��Ƶ���߹ۿ� this fall at ECC Signing Day held at high schools earlier this month.

Signing Day is a national initiative to celebrate students for making a commitment to higher education.

ECC President Dr. Greg McLeod meets parents of students at SouthWest Edgecombe High School who declared their intent to join the student body of �鶹��Ƶ���߹ۿ� at ECC Signing Day.

Students, parents, and College and high school officials attended ECC Signing Day events on May 14 and May 15 at North Edgecombe, SouthWest Edgecombe, and Tarboro high schools, and North East Carolina Preparatory School.

A total of 106 seniors, or nearly one-fourth of the high school seniors in Edgecombe County, declared their intent to join the student body of �鶹��Ƶ���߹ۿ�. Edgecombe County Public Schools seniors number 438 and will graduate over the next week.

ECC Signing Day at North East Carolina Preparatory School

“Thank you for choosing �鶹��Ƶ���߹ۿ�, your county, and your community,” ECC President Dr. Greg McLeod told the students. “Whether you plan to enter the workforce or transfer to a four-year school, we believe that ECC is the best place to start and prepare for a bright future ahead.

“We care about our students, and we are committed to them. We want you to start strong and stay strong throughout your time with us, and we will be with you every step of the way,” he said.

ECC Signing Day at North Edgecombe High School

Among the 106 seniors were 40 recipients. Through the , students with a 2.8 GPA in high school and who meet other criteria receive full funding at the level of in-state tuition – after all other sources of funding are exhausted.

Jaqueline Fuentes, a senior at North Edgecombe, plans to pursue a degree in . “My mom wanted me to go to college, and I chose ECC because it’s close to home,” she said.

ECC Signing Day at SouthWest Edgecombe High School

North Edgecombe senior Tremayne Pittman also is interested in ECC’s program. “I like to help people,” he explained. “My grandmother had back surgery, and I took care of her. Also, I would be too homesick if I went away to college.”

North East Carolina Prep seniors Jonathan Turner and Marcus Wilford agreed that family and friends were important factors in their decision to enroll at ECC. “My brother did the same thing and studied ,” Turner explained. “I’ve heard from many that it’s a great place to start college.”

ECC Signing Day at Tarboro High School

Wilford added that he has numerous family members and friends who chose Edgecombe and were pleased with their experience.

Caroline Hampton, a senior at SouthWest Edgecombe, plans to study at ECC then transfer to UNC Wilmington to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing. “I’ll save money by staying close to home, and I’m not ready to move away yet,” she said. “I will be, but not yet. Starting at ECC just made sense.”

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