Sumter High School senior Eriyonna Walcott accepted into Coast Guard Academy Scholar program

Eriyonna Walcott, a senior at Sumter High School, has been accepted into the Coast Guard Academy Scholar program. She is the first student in more than 12 years who has been accepted into a service academy from Sumter School District and the only candidate in the state of South Carolina thus far. Successful completion of the one-year program leads to direct appointment in the United States Coast Guard Academy. Walcott credits the Gear Up program for her success. "Gear Up Counselor Audrika Gadson has pushed me to strive for the best and explore all of my options. From middle school and up until the end of my sophomore year, I never cared for college and didn't plan on going to college, yet Ms. Gadson has never given up on me. Gear Up has been there for me every step of the way. Gear Up provided me with books for my English classes, supplies, calculators, guidance, etc.," said Walcott. "Gear Up is the reason why I received my appointment to the academy. At the end of my sophomore year, Ms. Gadson called me into her room to talk, and she introduced me to the service academy. From that point on, I've never been so interested in anything else. Ms. Gadson had me reach out to admission officers and do research on the academy to put me on the right path to being accepted. Gear Up gave me the opportunity to go to the academy for a week and experience my future."