Cumberland Polytechnic graduate says she was inspired to dream big

Each year, Cumberland County Schools names a graduating senior at each high school as a Standout Senior. The 17 2023 Standout Seniors are bright, hard-working students who have overcome the odds to graduate and dedicate themselves to serving their community.

To learn more about their plans to attend college, serve in the military or begin their careers, go to www.ccs.k12.nc.us/graduation.

Skye Corley will graduate from Cumberland Polytechnic High School. She answered these questions about her education and her future.

• What accomplishment are you most proud of or what do you want to be remembered for?

Getting into college is an accomplishment I’m the proudest of right now. I was always scared that I was never smart enough to be accepted, so when I got the letter, I was ecstatic. 

• What are your plans after graduation?

To attend UNC-Greensboro and major in American Sign Language interpretation.

• Have you received any scholarships? If so, please list them.

Spartan Scholarship for $2,200 and Chancellor Scholarship for $2,000.

• Please list your extracurricular activities and tell us about your favorite.

SGA and TRIO Upward Bound Math and Science. SGA is my favorite extracurricular activity between the two because I get to experience the process of planning events, leading events, guiding people, and building my leadership skills.

• Do you have a self-statement or a favorite quote that best describes you and your aspirations for the future?

“The size of your dreams must always exceed your current capacity to achieve them. If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough.” — Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

• How do you feel Cumberland County Schools has prepared you for your future?

I feel like Cumberland County Schools has prepared me well in the core subjects of English, math, science, and social studies. Even so, I would have preferred that as we got older the focus be placed more on life skills than on academic skills.

• Is there someone on staff in the school system (a teacher, administrator, coach, etc.) who has made a lasting impression on you? What lesson did they teach you that you will always remember?

Donna Cobb was my English teacher at Cumberland Polytechnic High School during my sophomore and junior years. She was a great teacher and even helped us prepare for the ACT. But she always reminded us that school wasn’t forever and to take care of ourselves no matter what assignment needs to be done or where you are academically. It felt like someone finally “saw” us (the students) as actual people and not just children she has to deal with.

• What elementary school did you attend?

Kindergarten: I attended the following elementary schools in Fayetteville: Guy Schools Inc.; Alpha Academy (first grade); Howard Hall Elementary School (second grade); Renaissance Classical Christian Academy (third grade); Capitol Encore Academy (fourth grade); and Westarea Elementary School (fifth grade).

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