Carter HS students selected for full-ride TCU scholarships

A Dallas school hopes a new group of students will shed a shining light on ‘Carter Country.’

Six seniors at Carter High School in Dallas received academic scholarships that cover all expenses to Texas Christian University. It’s good news about a school that is sometimes more known for the burglaries and robberies by state champion football players in 1988.

“We're making history,” said scholarship recipient Courtnee Avery. “Like they made history in a negative aspect.”

This new group is the ‘Carter Six’ – a half dozen students with full scholarships.

Scholarship recipient Michael Scott said he’s learned to manage taking numerous classes while also playing sports and having a job.

Scott and Reginald Cole, another scholarship recipient, both played football and accepted TCU over other offers.

“I knew it was the right decision,” said Cole. “The diverse culture at TCU, it will prepare me for the outside world.”

Some have already had to deal with the outside world. When Charity Mason's mom died, Carter High School teacher Lara Cardinale took her in.

“It was kind of a big step in my life to help me grow up, manage time and just be able to focus without it all being overwhelming,” explained Mason, a scholarship recipient.

English is not Evelin Barron's first language, but she was determined not to let that be a handicap and is now the first in her family to go to college.

“I learned by listening,” said Barron, another scholarship recipient. “I did all the work and stayed late after school to finish everything.

Taylor Griffin was another scholarship recipient. He believes the six students were selected for the scholarship because they listened to their teachers, while most students do not take the classroom seriously.

“I feel honored to say, ‘Yeah. I’m a graduate of Carter High School, and I’m going to be attending Texas Christian University on a full ride,’” Avery boasted.

The scholarships to the ‘Carter Six’ total $750,000. It’s an investment by TCU the school hopes will pay more dividends for its campus and the students’ futures.