A scholarship where character counts
Good grades and athletic talent are not the only things that can help pay your way through college. Simply being a good person can now earn Hewitt-Trussville High School seniors a scholarship.
Last month, retired Trussville City Schools Board of Education member Bill Roberts and his wife Liz announced a $2,500 character scholarship to be awarded to two Hewitt-Trussville seniors — one male, one female — who demonstrate outstanding character.
Roberts retired in May after serving 10 years with Trussville City Schools. He has always had a desire to give back to the Trussville City Schools, and the scholarship program came into fruition several weeks ago.
“Creating this scholarship program keeps me connected to the schools,” Roberts said. “I love this school system and the kids. I want to continue investing in them. I’m excited to continue my service while giving something back to the students.”
Superintendent Dr. Pattie Neill welcomed Roberts’ idea of establishing the school’s first character scholarship award with open arms.
“When Bill Roberts created the character scholarship, it fit like a glove,” Neill said. “It made a perfect recipe for all three areas: athletics, academics and citizenship.
“Bill is the most generous man I have ever met,” Neill continued. “He served our school system with all of his heart and soul. He didn’t just show up for meetings. And, today he is still serving. I am a better person because I knew Bill Roberts all this time and have learned more from him than any teacher I ever had.”
Roberts said: “Being part of the school system has been good for me and has kept me active and serving. It has been a great experience for me. I take a lot of school pride in what we have accomplished and where we are as a school system, facilities, academics and school rankings.”
According to Neill, there are currently scholarships available for students in the areas of academics, sports, music, the arts and financial need, but nothing solely based on character.
“A lot of our improvements in school rankings have to do with character,” Neill added. “We do a lot in athletics and academics, but then you add that third piece. The school-wide character education program established in 2012 evolved into an award-winning anti-bullying program, which then evolved into a suicide prevention program. Now, this character education program has evolved into a prevention for mental health issues.
“I think it sets Trussville City Schools apart from the others as a tribute from Bill Roberts,” Neill said. “He helped build the school system. This sets us apart from others also because I don’t know of any other character scholarship that exists in the state. It’s vitally important and very rare, and a vitally important component for young adults to have good character. Bill is making sure that happens.”
The application enrollment period for the Bill and Liz Roberts Character Scholarship opened in February and will include essay questions to define good character traits.
“The questions will be along the lines of ‘What is your definition of good character?’ ‘How has it been learned?’ ‘Applied in your life?’ and ‘How will you plan to continue to apply good character as you graduate?’” Neill said.
Members reviewing scholarship applications will include, but not limited to, the Hewitt-Trussville High School principal, guidance counselor, the TCS Central Office and a Trussville City councilor. Other criteria will be announced during the enrollment process.
It is Roberts’ hope that Trussville will have more students living lives of character through this scholarship. Yes, success in academics, athletics, arts or music should be cherished; however, awardees of the Bill and Liz Roberts Character Scholarships are achieving more than just personal success, they are making the community better.
Roberts served with the Trussville City Schools Board of Education from 2010-19 and served six years as board president after retiring in May. He was recently awarded the 2019 Alabama Association of School Boards (AASB) All-State Award, the highest recognition for past or present school board members who have demonstrated exemplary leadership.