Cadence Castellano felt like she needed to “stand out” among the field of about 300 students vying for the five full-ride J.A. Campbell scholarships for the on-campus portion of the competition in January. So the Cedar Point, North Carolina native found the orangiest orange dress she could and had every intention to go with it on the big day.
At the last minute, she changed course and went with a more understated suit.
“Perfect Camel colors,” she says, “but ultimately, it wasn’t professional enough. I ended up just thinking to myself, ‘Relax. You are unique. Just be yourself.’”
The self advice worked — this spring, Castellano was named one of the five recipients of the scholarship. Under new Campbell President Dr. William M. Downs’ recently launched Strategic Plan — which places heavier emphasis on building undergraduate enrollment — the University expanded the scholarship competition to include more entries and smaller financial gifts for students who simply compete.
Castellano is a senior at Gramercy Christian School in Newport, roughly 20 miles from her hometown of Cedar Point, near Emerald Isle Beach. She’s a four-year starter for the school’s varsity soccer team (she is the goalkeeper this year), current student body president and a highly decorated Eagle Scout who’s heavily involved in Scouting America’s National Youth Leadership Training program.
“The program’s goal is to turn young people into better leaders,” she says. “This year, I have the honor of being the youth course lead, so I’m choosing a staff and planning campouts where we train young people to become excellent communicators, strong leaders and just better people.”
She says she learned more about Campbell through an English teacher whose son also attended. Upon learning about the University’s trust and wealth management program — and after her first campus visit — she fell in love with the idea of attending.
“I visited in the fall, and even though the leaves were gone, it was beautiful and homey,” she says. “I felt like I could live there for the next four years of my life.”
She wants to study business and trust (and eventually law school) to follow in the footsteps of her mother, a business lawyer who, she says, goes out of her way to help people.
“One of the things she does is speak up for people and help them better understand the law,” she says. “She’s definitely my biggest inspiration.”
Castellano screamed (happily) when she found out in March that she earned the J.A. Campbell Scholarship. She had earned a significant merit scholarship, but the burden of additional costs and potential debt has been lifted. The focus is now on the next four years.
“I chose Campbell first because of the education, but also the community,” she says. “I’ve heard that at Campbell, it’s hard not to be involved. That excites me. I want to be in a place where I can thrive, love others and be loved. I think Campbell is that place.”