Bianca Tamez, Cassandra Sproles, Edna DelaRosa, Paige Massey, Linzy McCoy and Mikey Harrison are now Cleburne High School graduates.

But as recipients of We Believe In You scholarships, they can still rely on their Cleburne High School teachers for educational support and lots of encouragement.

The six honorees bring the total of We Believe In You scholarships awarded by the CHS faculty to 97, since the establishment of the program in the 2000-01 school year. As recipients of $4,000 scholarships, two years of classes at the Cleburne campus of Hill College are paid in full.

“That’s not bad for a little program in which the original goal was to award one student $1,000,” said CHS teacher Lorna Smith, We Believe In You founder and committee chairman. “We are so excited to have had the funding to meet the needs of every student nominated for a scholarship this year.”

Nominations for We Believe In You scholarships are submitted by members of the CHS staff.

“We want to help those graduates who have the desire and the potential to continue their studies at the college level, but may not have the financial means,” Smith said. “Our teachers, along with teachers at other CISD campuses and people in the community contribute to the scholarship fund each year, giving us the opportunity to help students take the next step in their education.”

The We Believe In You scholarship committee also raises funds each fall by manning the visitors side concession stand at all Jackets varsity football games.

The good news presented to the scholarship honorees by the teachers who nominated them is always accompanied by words of wisdom, and some instruction.

“In the words of a 2010 recipient, ‘it was a lot different than high school,’” Smith told this year’s scholarship winners. “You have high school figured out, but college is a step up. You are ready for college  —  but you do have to step it up. Go to class, talk to your professor when you have a concern.”

The advice Smith dispenses to We Believe In You honorees are words to heed according to 2009 recipient Nikki Clifton. She was nominated by CHS Librarian Fran Rader.

“My first semester I was really stressed out, I worried about everything,” Clifton said. “But once I got over the hump, it went great. I wish I had called Mrs. Rader more often.”

Clifton should receive her associate degree from Hill in the spring, and plans to continue on with her education to receive a Bachelor’s degree in English.

“I always wanted to go to college,” she said. “Going to college was drilled in to me from the time I was little. When I found out that I was receiving a We Believe In You scholarship and that Mrs. Rader had nominated me, it made me feel special. I was so happy to know she cared for me that much.”

“The We Believe In You scholarship gives a chance to kids who want to learn, who want to go to school, but can’t,” Clifton said. “It gives them a fighting chance  —  it opens the door for them. I don’t think I would have been able to go to college without my scholarship.”

Like many students, Clifton worked during high school and now college, while carrying a full course load.

“I started working when I was 16,” said Clifton, who has been with H-E-B for five years. “I believe it’s good to work. You benefit from it; you learn from it, you learn responsibility.”

“I go to school in the morning and work at night,” she said. “I study between classes and also late at night. You just have to work at getting everything done.”

When asked what she would say to this year’s We Believe In You honorees, Clifton had some specific thoughts.

“I would tell them not to take the scholarship for granted,” she said. “Be grateful for receiving the award and do your best. You won’t fail unless you want to.”

“For me, knowing Mrs. Rader and all my teachers took the time to believe in me was very important. I felt I needed to do my best. I also felt they were behind me and believing in me  —  that was a big part of it.”

English teacher and We Believe In You committee member Robin Fort said the commitment to recipients after they leave CHS sets the scholarship apart from others.

“We want them to know we do not expect all A’s,” Fort said. “We want them to come back to us and talk college. They can still come to us for tutoring, for encouragement and for guidance. If there’s a high-priced book they need for class and don’t know how they will pay for it, they can let us know. That’s what distinguishes our scholarship from others.”

Each recipient also receives a “how-to” packet to guide them through the days leading up to their first semester of college and beyond. The information includes time lines relating to financial aid filing deadlines, required paperwork and documents for college admission. The packet also includes a We Believe In You Standards Policy each recipient must sign.

“We also want them to be looking down the road now at grants and scholarships for their junior and senior years,” Smith said. “We don’t want them to borrow, to take out loans. We encourage them to get with the school’s financial aid people early on.”

As this year’s honorees reported for the last of their days as CHS seniors, Smith had a few parting words for the future college freshmen.

“Get your feet wet and be successful,” she said. “Then you can add hours to your schedule. Start with 12 hours — and do not drop a class.”

“After 11 years, the name of this scholarship still bears a powerful message — we do believe in you.”