ABERDEEN, S.D. – One December afternoon at Aberdeen Central High School, Aglaia Ramey got news that changed the course of her future.
“It was fourth block, AP Lit, and we were watching a movie,” said Ramey, a senior at CHS.
She knew that QuestBridge Scholarship Program receipients would be announced that day, and she knew she was a finalist. So when the movie ended, Ramey pulled out her computer to check—and learned she had won a full-ride scholarship to the University of Notre Dame.
“I was like, ‘Oh my gosh!’ I was so excited,” Ramey said. “I immediately showed my friends.”
She also emailed her parents, Peter and Melanie, who were as excited as she was.
“They were super grateful,” she said. “I was, too.”
Up until that point, Ramey was unsure if her family could afford for her to attend a four-year college.
Now thanks to the QuestBridge National College Match program—which connects high-achieving high school seniors from low-income backgrounds with full four-year scholarships to 52 of the nation’s top colleges—Ramey has her entire education paid for at Notre Dame.
And now that this dream has come true, it has unlocked more possibilities for Ramey.
“It’s amazing,” she said. “One thing I want to do is study abroad, and that opens up opportunities for that.”
Teachers Made a Difference in her Life
At Notre Dame, Ramey plans to pursue English or another humanities degree.
“I’m not totally sure what I want to do for my job, but I’ve always thought teaching would be cool because teachers have made such a big difference for my life,” Ramey said. “So it would be cool to do that for other people.”
That includes her dad, who teaches at Northern State University, and her mom, who home schools her younger siblings: Peter W., Iris, Lazarus, Miriam and Isaiah. (Ramey’s sister, Juna, also attends CHS and is a junior.)
“I definitely want to set an example for them, but I’m going to miss them,” Ramey said of her younger siblings.
A lot of Aberdeen Public Schools teachers have also been very helpful.
“Mr. (Kent) Hansen was a really good teacher,” Ramey said. “I had him as a sophomore for AP Euro and his class was great.”
Also, she said, “Mr. (Kevin) Dix last year was pretty helpful for me. Math is something I’ve never understood very well or didn’t really like. He made math so much easier for me to understand. He made it more enjoyable for me.”
Involved in Several Activities at CHS
At Central, Ramey is also involved in several activities. She is secretary of FBLA, a member of the Speech and Debate Team, and a member of the Golden Eagles Cross-Country and Track and Field teams.
Outside of school, she likes to draw, and one of her favorite hobbies is gardening.
“I have a rose garden, and someday I want to breed roses,” she said.
For other students pursuing college or another goal, Ramey’s advice is to just do your work.
“And also, try to challenge yourself. Even if you don’t want to go to college, you might as well have the back-up. You might as well do as well as you can,” she said. “I think everybody should do as well as they can in what they do because that just makes the most opportunities open.”
About the Aberdeen Public School District
The Aberdeen Public School District provides a comprehensive educational program to approximately 4,200 students in grades K-12, with a mission of empowering all students to succeed in a changing world. Our students receive the knowledge and skills necessary to reach their potential in a global community through high expectations of academic achievement; diverse educational opportunities; and community involvement in a safe, supportive environment. Learn more at aberdeen.k12.sd.us.