Carol Fox Empowerment Scholarship

This scholarship is funded by the Carol M. Fox Charitable Fund and administered by Carol’s daughter Kris Symer, FPHS ’83. Formerly known as the FPHS Class of ’83 Scholarship (2015-2021).

Scholarships are awarded to graduating seniors at Franklin Pierce and Gates High Schools to pursue vocational, technical, or community college education that leads to economic empowerment and self-sufficiency.

• A graduating senior pursuing vocational, technical, or community college studies
• Member of a historically underrepresented group, e.g., Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), Women, LGBTQ+ community.
• Unmet financial need
• Shows resiliency in the face of adversity

Each school’s Scholarship Committee will select the recipient. An alternate shall be selected annually and the scholarship shall be awarded to that individual if the primary award winner does not meet the requirements of the scholarship.

Carol Fox overcame childhood poverty and family adversity to become a caring mother and small business owner. Vocational education allowed her to learn a trade and provide for her family. After earning a GED and attending beauty school, she prospered as a full-service hair stylist. In the 1970s, while still in her twenties, she launched Gold ‘n Locks, a Parkland Square salon employing four other stylists. Many of her customers were teachers at FP Schools who looked forward to their weekly visits with Carol. This scholarship is offered to inspire and support students as they persist through life’s challenges to achieve their dreams.

• Receipt of a completed Scholarship Acceptance Form will hold this scholarship for the student. The scholarship can be held no longer than 16 months after June 30th of the year of graduation from high school.
• Upon receipt of Proof of Enrollment Form including a student ID number, funds will be released to the institution in the name of the student.