SCIOTA -- Ashley Payne, a senior at West Prairie High School, got a big surprise recently when she found out that she had been named an Golden Apple Scholar. Ashley is the daughter of Brad and Sara Payne, of Good Hope.
The Golden Apple Foundation, which is the largest pre-service teacher support program in the nation, provides Golden Apple Scholars with financial assistance for four years to attend one of 53 public and private universities across the state, enrollment in summer programs that include teaching internships and continual mentoring by Golden Apple-winning teachers.
Ashley, who plans to be an English teacher, applied for the scholarship some time ago but wasn't sure she would get it. After all, only 125 students are chosen out of 1500 nominated.
During the difficult selection process, Ashley had to write seven essays as well as pass an interview at Eastern Illinois University.
As part of the scholarship, Ashley is required to take part in summer teaching internships and, after she graduates, must teach for five years in a qualified Illinois school in need that serves low-income students or has below-par test scores.
This summer, Ashley will head to DePaul University, where she'll spend half the day in class herself and half the day in a Chicago classroom with a mentor teacher.
In the fall, Ashley will attend Western Illinois University. After she graduates, she hopes to give back to west central Illinois by teaching in a school of need.
"In this area, that's everywhere but Macomb," Ashley says. "I'd like to bring that back to this area."
In a statement for the Golden Apple Foundation, Ashley said, "I absolutely love reading and writing. I want to teach in order to show teens how books can be really cool. I also want to help students understand how writing is such a good way to show your  emotions. I want to make learning a wonderful, fun experience for my students."