Coastal and HGTC award scholarships to 'Extreme Makeover' family
Renee Wilson's four grandchildren will have the choice of attending Coastal or HGTC when they reach college age. The children - Hakeem Pearl, 10, Timothy Pearl, 8, Rashaad "R.J." Pearl, 6, and Erica Smalls, 5 - were presented with Presidential Scholarships at a news conference at the Popular Community site in Horry County on Friday.
CCU President Ronald R. Ingle and HGTC President H. Neyle Wilson presented framed certificates to the family. "Every day when they wake up, they will know they have guaranteed full college scholarships," said Ingle.
The scholarships will be awarded in the amount equal to the in-state undergraduate tuition charged at the time of their enrollment, with the scholarship award dependent on the eligibility of each student for acceptance, based on admissions criteria in place at that time.
"This is tremendous," said Renee Wilson. "Education means a lot to me and to my grandchildren. We are so grateful."
The family was nominated for the show by an elementary school teacher who works with the children. They were selected for construction of the new house out of more than 10,000 videos submitted by viewers each week.