
                         THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
                 Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, June 12, 1994                    TAG: 9406100261 
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN                     PAGE: 18    EDITION: FINAL  
SOURCE: BY ALLISON T. WILLIAMS 
DATELINE: 940612                                 LENGTH: SUFFOLK

FULL SCHOLARSHIP HIS REWARD

{LEAD} Charles A. Jones III's good study habits have paid big dividends.

Jones, who graduated 24th in his class from Nansemond River High School this week, earned a full, four-year scholarship to study chemical engineering at Norfolk State University next fall.

{REST} Jones is this year's recipient of Norfolk State's Dozoretz National Institute for Minorities in Applied Sciences Scholarship, an honors programs designed to put more minorities into science-related careers.

``I know it is going to be hard, but I'm ready for it,'' Jones said. ``Not having to worry about paying expenses is going to allow me to focus on my education.

``Although school is my first priority, that does not mean all work and no play,'' he said. ``You have got to have a balance between the two extremes . . . because it takes the whole college experience to get you ready for life.''

Jones, a Suffolk native who always planned to go away to college, applied for admission to several schools in different parts of the country last winter.

At the urging of Isaac Williams, his guidance counselor at Nansemond River, he applied for Norfolk State's scholarship without really expecting to get it.

``Everybody kept saying only the elite get scholarships like this . . . so I was pretty surprised and amazed,'' Jones said. ``When I got the notification letter, I just read it over, and over, and over.

``Norfolk State's offer was too good to refuse. I couldn't give it up.''

Jones is active in both school and the community. At Nansemond River, he ran track and served as vice president of the Student Government Association.

He also belongs to the Cooperative Hampton Roads Organization for Minorities in Engineering, a regional organization where high school students learn how to prepare themselves for engineering careers with the help of area professionals.

The son of Rossetta and Charles Jones Jr. of Suffolk, he belongs to Calvary Revival Church in Norfolk.

{KEYWORDS} CLASS OF 1994 GRADUATION

by CNB