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Chester County Futures Student Receives Scholarship from Award Winning Horse

May, 2005 Exton, PA

Photo by Phelps Photo Susan Springsteen and Cidor "The Scholarship Horse"

Coatesville Area High School senior, Tekia Campbell, wants to be an actress. And why not; her smile lights up the room. She’s also interested in pursuing a career in psychology, which she’ll study at Millersville University this fall. Her hopes and dreams aren’t much different from other 18-year olds, but her life story and determination to succeed definitely set her apart.

Back in 8th grade, Campbell met up with a non-profit academic and scholarship group called Chester County Futures. CCF has worked with her ever since, with a wealth of support services to help Campbell gain confidence, hone her academic skills, and enroll in college.

CCF also introduced Campbell to an award-winning horse known as Cidor, “the scholarship horse.” Cidor belongs to amateur dressage rider Susan Springsteen, who just happens to be a CCF board member. Together, horse and owner gave enough riding lessons this past year to raise $1500 to fund a scholarship to award to an outstanding CCF student.

Springsteen got the idea for the scholarship when she was asked to give riding lessons. To maintain her amateur status, she arranged for her students to make donations to CCF rather than pay her for their lessons.

Campbell will be guest of honor at a reception on May 24, 4-6 p.m.at Cidor’s stable, Journey’s End Farm in Glenmoore. Horse and owner Springsteen, a financial adviser with Morgan Stanley and a stock market commentator on KYW- AM (1060), will jointly present Campbell with the Cidor Fund Scholarship.

Campbell also earned a $6,000 scholarship from CCF. CCF awarded $6000 scholarships to several other graduating seniors who are heading off to college. CCF began working with the students four years ago, providing academic and mentoring help to help them succeed in school. CCF works exclusively with low-income students who have ability and motivation but whose personal circumstances put them at risk of failure. Despite the odds they face, CCF students boast a 100% high school graduation rate. Of those heading off to college, 83% either graduated already or are sticking it out. Many are the first in their families ever to attend or graduate from college.

Campbell, who was born and raised in Coatesville, knows first-hand the impact CCF can have on the lives of motivated, yet economically disadvantaged students like her. “My motto is ‘Be Not Nobody’ ”, she said. “I know I will fulfill this as long as I stay motivated to reach my goals. One day I will be somebody.” Most people who know her would say that she has already reached that goal.