Volleyball's McCarty Chosen for Prestigious Myers-LeCroy Scholarship

Dallas College Brookhaven first-year volleyball player Remington McCarty wasn't sure if college was in the cards.

That is, until she found Dallas College, and a prestigious opportunity at hand. Little did she know she'd be interviewing for this wonderful educational opportunity while on vacation in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

"I e-mailed (the committee) right away, and said, 'I'm not home. Is there any way we can do a virtual interview?'" McCarty explained, the thought of family fun quickly turning into scholarship seriousness.

"They set it up, and got me in a meeting with all of them. I was in this room all by myself. I was extremely nervous. But it ended up just being a fun conversation with some adults with some great advice that just wanted to get to know. It was a really personal experience, which meant a lot to me."

A freshman middle blocker with the Bears, McCarty is one of three Dallas College students to bestowed with the Myers-LeCroy Scholarship – an honor that awards students based on personal achievements, community contributions and commitment to serve the less fortunate. Administered by Dallas College Foundation, the Myers-LeCroy Scholarship pays for tuition and books for up to six consecutive semesters at Dallas College. Recipients are also eligible to receive up to $10,000 per academic year to go towards their education as a junior and senior at a four-year institution. Myers-LeCroy recipients must maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average during their junior and senior years to be eligible to receive additional funding beyond the six semesters at Dallas College.

"I would say it was a life-changing honor," McCarty said. "For a long time, I wondered if college was something I'd be able to do, especially without a lot of student loans. So being able to walk in, and not having to worry about financials, being able to focus fully on school, and committing to my team as well is a huge honor. Along with the money, to be gifted mentorship, that's a lifelong gift that will just keep on giving back to me. Since I want to become a teacher, it will give back to my students in the future as well."

She is pursuing a degree in early childhood education, and Brookhaven now offers a bachelor's degree in her area of study.

McCarty was a straight-A student all throughout high school. She won the Lion Heart Award, given to a Denton Calvary Academy student who exemplifies excellence in academics, volunteerism, leadership and extracurricular activities. McCarty was captain of her high school volleyball team. She was Academic All-State in volleyball, basketball and track, and was a member of the National Honor Society.

She is the first Brookhaven volleyball player to receive the prestigious Dallas College scholarship.

"This is a fantastic situation for us, right off the bat," Bears 20-year volleyball coach Jason Hopkins said. "The work that she did at Denton Calvary, and, obviously, what her parents have instilled in her to get to this point, everyone's done a fantastic job. A free education is fantastic. I think there's more fantastic things to come in Remington's future.

"This is a special moment for Brookhaven volleyball. That is one of the biggest things we've been talking a lot about this year is the academic side to these student-athletes. We've been trying to establish some precedence here over the years, and with this type of honor already bestowed on the program, and Remington individually, I think that sets the standard pretty well."

Dallas business leader Mike A. Myers established the scholarship in 1988 to honor friend and former Dallas College Chancellor Jan LeCroy. Following LeCroy's passing in 2013, his wife, Nancy LeCroy, partnered with Myers to continue the tradition of mentoring recipients about success through life skills and community service.

"I'm just lucky that I was able to find the scholarship. I used the Brookhaven website, Dallas College website," McCarty said. "I was able to find one that fit my personal goals for my education and career, and so I feel like I have a responsibility to uphold my side of the deal, to work hard in my classes, and also to work hard on my team as well.

"I love my team. They're all amazing girls, amazing women. So to be surrounded by people that are working hard to come alongside me, it's such an honor."

While the Myers-LeCroy scholarship may be her biggest honor yet, McCarty quickly learned that getting all worked up about an interview with education professionals who could impact her future dreams really was a piece of cake. Essentially, it taught her it's as easy as bashing a ball to the floor.

"Absolutely," she said, a sense of relief setting in as she revisited thoughts of the anxiety of that virtual interview, knowing that next time she can handle these types life experiences. "Learning to not make assumptions about what a situation will look like, and going in with the mindset of doing your best and always wanting to learn in just everything."

Rest assured, that won't be a problem for McCarty. She has Myers-LeCroy and Dallas College to thank for that.

"I've just been so impressed with how community-oriented Dallas College is as whole," McCarty said. "They do so much to give back to their students and to the people that might not even be students, but just living in the surrounding area. So I'm shocked at how much I have loved being in a junior college setting."

Yeah, that honor may be bestowed on McCarty, but Brookhaven is honored she elected to become a Bear.