Officials at Dutchtown High School recently hosted a college and career fair with a twist.

Buses containing about 70 students from Alabama State University pulled into the parking lot the morning of August 24 with the intention of displaying as much of the college experience as possible for the Dutchtown juniors and seniors. The guests reportedly included representatives of the university’s Student Government Association and some fraternities and sororities as well as Miss Alabama State.

Once the festivities officially began, three members of Dutchtown’s senior class received the surprise of a lifetime. Adrian Avery, Antonio Mattox Jr. and Channing Wyatt were presented with full academic scholarships to Alabama State.
“I had no idea,” Mattox told reporters after the surprise ceremony.

“I was in shock,” said Avery.

“Once they called my name, I just couldn’t stop smiling,” said Wyatt. “I was really thankful.”

Dutchtown principal Nicole Shaw is an Alabama State graduate, and she is always pleased to share information about her alma mater with her students. She coordinated this event along with Alabama State administrators.

“We’ve had so many kids who applied to Alabama State,” said Shaw. “I really try my best to make sure that students understand the importance of academics, the importance of going to that next level, and I like to tell them what [her former school] has done for me. In doing that, it piques their interest.”

All three of the young men who received this huge financial blessing were well aware of its long-term value, especially in light of the ongoing issue of student loan debt that continues to be a hot topic across the country.

“It’s a full-ride scholarship for tuition, and that means no student loans,” said Wyatt, who expressed his gratitude at seeing four years of hard work pay off. “I can go to college debt-free.”

“I’m just glad to relieve some stress off my parents, and not have me and them paying for the rest of our lives,” said Avery.

“A lot of people [who took out student loans years ago] are still in debt to this day,” said Mattox. “Knowing that I don’t have to do it is a blessing.”