Students earn scholarships named for Paul Fuller
Tyler Zonin is a true testament
to how the Gaston County Schools
mentoring program can change lives. Brooks will attend Gaston College
to study Broadcasting and Audio
Production Technology.
A New Jersey native, Zonin had
difficulty adjusting to life after the
move to North Carolina. He became
involved in the mentoring program
as a sixth-grade student at Holbrook
Middle School. Zonin graduated in
June from North Gaston High School
and is looking toward the future with a
mentoring scholarship in hand. Another Hunter Huss graduate,
Angelica Huffstetler, also received the
trades and technical scholarship.
Zonin was chosen to receive the
Paul F. Fuller Scholarship, which is
given each year to an outstanding
student who has been involved in the
school district’s mentoring program.
The $1,000 scholarship is renewable
for up to four years.
Zonin plans to use the scholarship to attend Western Carolina University
where he will study in the four-year paramedic program and pursue a degree
in emergency medical care. He has already participated in the GEMS (Gaston
Emergency Medical Services) Explorers program and completed Emergency
Medical Training (EMT) basic certification at Gaston College.
Looking back on his journey with the mentoring program, Zonin said
going into middle school, he was nervous about finding new friends and
meeting new teachers. He spent a lot of time dealing with anxiety during
his first few months of school. Then, he met Mr. Campbell, the husband of
Zonin’s art teacher, who would sometimes substitute when she was out of
class.
“He helped me when times were rough, and I couldn’t handle the change
in scenery by myself,” Zonin said of Campbell.
Their favorite topic? Yankees baseball. “I love baseball and I love the
Yankees,” Zonin said. “Whenever I talked about baseball, it would change my
mood. I would go from sad and angry to happy.”
While Zonin talked about baseball with Mr. Campbell, a former ball player
himself, he dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player. But when in
the ninth grade, Zonin found his passion for emergency care.
Zonin is excited to see where the future takes him at Western, one of the
only schools in the state that offers a degree in emergency medical care. And
looking back on his journey through middle and high school, he knows he
wouldn’t be where he is today without the help of Mr. Campbell.
n Three students get trades and technical training scholarships
For the first time this year, three additional graduating seniors were
recognized with the Paul F. Fuller Scholarship for Trades and Technical
Training. The trades and technical training scholarships were created through
a partnership with the Noon Optimist Club of Gastonia.
The Paul F. Fuller Scholarship for Trades and Technical Training is worth
$500 and renewable for an additional $500.
Rodney Brooks, who graduated from Hunter Huss High School, said it
took him a while to get used to having a mentor. But once he did, he couldn’t
imagine his life without one.
“My mentor always told me I was a better person,” he said. “He made
me say it to myself, and I believed it.”
6 • September/October 2018 • Parent Teacher Magazine
Through the mentorship program,
Huffstetler developed a love for
working with children. She plans to
attend Gaston College and get her
associate degree in early childhood
education. She wants to pass on the
help she got from the mentor program
to someone else who was in her
position in school.
“I would love to help kids any
chance I get because I got that
chance when I was younger,” she said.
“Returning the favor would mean so much to me.”
East Gaston’s Evan Summerlin is the third recipient of the trades and
technical scholarship. Summerlin worked as a state-approved apprenticeship
with Tindol Ford Subaru ROUSH in Gastonia.
In the fall, Summerlin will attend Guilford Technical Community College
to receive his Ford factory certification and automotive associate degree
while continuing to be employed at Tindol Ford Subaru ROUSH. Summerlin
says without his mentor, he wouldn’t have been able to achieve any of these
future plans.
“Without the input and influence of my mentor, I would be unsure of my
plans after graduation,” he said. “Thanks to Mr. Hawkins, I have a job and a
state-approved internship, which I could never have obtained without him.”
n Become a Mentor
Gaston County Schools is seeking caring adults to serve as mentors
for the 2018-2019 school year. If you would like to learn more about the
mentoring program, call Valerie Yatko, director of business and community
partnerships, (704) 866-6329.
Mentoring is a supportive relationship between a school-aged child and a
caring adult volunteer. The mentor provides support, guidance and assistance
as a role model and friend. As a result of this relationship, the student gains
valuable life skills, an increased sense of accomplishment and new tools to
help set and achieve goals.
The purpose of the mentoring program is to improve self-esteem,
attitudes and attendance and to offer motivation to stay in school and plan
for the future. Mentoring ultimately has a powerful impact on academic
performance. Gaston County Schools Office of Business and Education
Partnerships facilitate the