Kaela Jordan gave up running after her junior year of high school. Kameron Mann has never been a runner, opting for football and basketball in his youth. However, the two Bethel High School graduates were on hand for the awards ceremony at the Hampton City Schools Run for the Stage 5K at Sandy Bottom Nature Park on Saturday, May 9.
They were among eight recipients of $1,000 college scholarships raised by the event, and both will be attending Virginia Peninsula Community College in the fall. Jordan was surprised when she received an email saying she was a winner. Mann thought his notification was fake.
“It was really exciting to be recognized for all my hard work,” Jordan said about winning the scholarship.
Jordan was born in Chesapeake but has lived her whole life in Hampton. She was active in school, being a Lead Ambassador, participating in Student Council Association, African Student Association, National Honor Society, and running track and cross country during her freshman and junior years.
She chose VPCC because she knew it would provide a good foundation and set her on the right path. She is interested in business and entrepreneurship.
“I have a lot of company ideas,” she said.
She’s familiar with the College, having been a dual-enrolled student at VPCC for two years. She likes what dual enrollment offers beyond the classroom.
“It allowed me to get a head start on my college career goals,” she said. “It taught me what being a college student meant. It prepared me for what I’m about to do in the fall.”
There were practical reasons, too, behind her college choice.
“I could get my prerequisites done and stay close to home while building up my finances and maybe even starting a small business.”
After VPCC, she plans to attend Virginia Tech to study “anything in business.”
“My whole mission there is to gain as much knowledge as I can about finance, entrepreneurship and business so I can ultimately own businesses and properties to help my community,” she said.
One of her interests is starting a luxury clothing brand. Concerned about the environment, she wants to create a sustainable brand.
“We have landfills filled with clothes because people are buying clothes and throwing them out. I want to build something that can last,” she said.
But she wants it to be so much more.
“I want to start something that I can say I’m proud of and actually helps people physically and mentally, as well,” she said.
Mann was born and raised in Hampton. He also is interested in business, hoping to one day open a barber shop. He’s also into fashion and shoes so he has considered a clothing brand, too.
He knows a solid education will provide him with a strong foundation. He also liked VPCC’s affordability.
“It was just a better opportunity for me,” he said.
He plans to attend a four-year school, but isn’t sure which one. He, too, has dual enrollment experience, being enrolled in a program during the summer prior to his 10th-grade year at Bethel.
“It gave me a head start on my college plans,” he said, adding it also familiarized him with the College and its classes.
For both, the scholarship is about more than money.
“It proved to myself that I can earn something and I am capable of accomplishing something,” Jordan said.
Added Mann, “I proved to myself that I did something for myself. I know I have more work to do, obviously, but the fact I was able to get a scholarship means a lot to me.”
Mary Kanani, VPCC’s dean of Enrollment Management and registrar, was among several College employees who participated in the event. It was meaningful for her, also. Scholarship winners could use the money for any two-year postsecondary school or career, or any technical school or program. They didn’t have to choose VPCC.
“I appreciate that the event directly supports Hampton City Schools students through scholarships, and I love knowing that many of those students choose VPCC as their next step. What could be better?” she said. “Run for the Stage is special because it directly supports local students and helps create opportunities for them after high school.”
