Greensboro, Ga. (December 9, 2019) – Lake Oconee Academy (LOA) is proud to announce that senior Lane Herndon has been awarded a full four-year scholarship to attend The University of Chicago through QuestBridge, a national program that connects high-achieving, low-income  high school seniors with scholarships to the nation’s leading colleges. 

In 2019, approximately 15,000 high school seniors applied for the QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship and 5,842 students were selected as finalists. Of these finalists, 1,127 outstanding students were selected as scholarship recipients. QuestBridge applicants can choose to list up to a dozen colleges with which to obtain a possible match. Out of the finalists, about 19% match to a school from their list. Lane carefully researched her schools and was selected for her first choice school, an incredible accomplishment. This rigorous selection process allows the best and brightest to attend one of 40 highly prestigious research universities and liberal arts colleges in the United States, regardless of a family’s financial background. The 40 partner schools include Ivy League schools such as Yale, Princeton, Brown, Dartmouth, and equally impressive schools such as Stanford, Emory, Rice, Vanderbilt and Duke, to name a few.  

Lane intends to study Creative Writing at the University of Chicago which has one of the top creative writing programs in the country. As a QuestBridge Match/Odyssey Scholar, her scholarship covers the full cost of attendance, including tuition, room and board, books and supplies, and travel expenses. The University of Chicago is a highly-selective private university in the Hyde Park area of Chicago with approximately 6,300 undergraduate students. It ranks among the world’s most well-respected institutions of higher education.  

 Lane has been a consistently stellar student at LOA and will be graduating near the top of her class. Her work ethic, focus and determination have been evident throughout her high school years.  She is a leader, and was instrumental in the startup of the new literary magazine at LOA, The Archetype, which features poetry, prose and art. She is the Editor and was involved with the publishing as well.  Lane was selected as a Governor’s Honors Program participant in Visual Arts last summer, a program she credits with helping her find her voice and self-confidence.  She has received numerous accolades and honors during her time at LOA.  She is a member of National Honor Society, Beta Club, and Student Government Association and is recognized as an AP® Scholar with Distinction.  

“Lane's acceptance and scholarship to UChicago stands as a highlight of my career,” said Caroline St. John, Lane’s longtime English and Creative Writing teacher.  “It could not happen to a more worthy student.  Watching her blossom as a writer these last few years ranks as one of my life's highest honors. I expect to see her work on a bookstore shelf one day. She has the makings of greatness.”

“Lane has achieved so much in her high school years because she is intellectually curious and eager to learn,” said Cheryl Lenenski, LOA’s College and Career Counselor. “She continually challenges herself and that is the mark of a true scholar. While her impact here at Lake Oconee Academy has been great, she will continue to do important work as she takes the next steps toward her future, one that is incredibly bright.”