Mycal Turner exudes passion; spend a few minutes with him, and you’ll feel it too. Although you may want to block out more than just a few minutes.
“[My mom] She says that ever since I learned how to talk, I never stopped talking, which you can probably pick up on now,” Mycal said with a laugh.
Mycal’s passion for education is infectious. His wisdom is that of someone twice his age. The Urbana High School senior was always on the college-track, and now he is being nationally recognized with the Cameron Impact Scholarship. It’s a four-year scholarship covering tuition, fees, and books at any accredited college or university in the United States to which Mycal is accepted – something he had a 0.5 percent chance of receiving.
“What made me different is my ability to articulate the vision I have for academics, how I’ve been working toward that dream and what’s my vision for the future when it comes to academics,” Mycal said.
Mycal has been putting in the work for years to make his vision a reality. With or without the scholarship, his work in the community has not gone unnoticed. He works with students daily at the Urbana Neighborhood Connections Center, created and facilitated professional development sessions at Urbana High School (specifically geared toward minority students), and is a mentor to many.
He hasn’t decided where he will attend college in the fall, but while he’s considering all of his options, he is making some stipulations of his own.
“Since freshman year, I’ve known that I was going to go on to higher learning,” Mycal said. “I also knew that I didn’t want any debt connected with that. What really radicalized me was when I took personal finance with Mr. McAndrew and we watched a debt documentary. That just changed me.”
Each year, 3,000 students vie for the Bryan Cameron Impact Scholarship. That number is whittled down to 100 who move on to a rigorous interview process. In the end, just 15 students are selected as Cameron Impact Scholars.
“I’ve realized it’s not always about accomplishments; it’s about the vision and your drive to actually benefit those around you, because anybody can volunteer.”
The criteria listed for consideration are heavy. On top of submitting personal essays and letters of recommendation, a Cameron Impact Scholar must demonstrate a positive engagement in community service, exhibit strong leadership qualities, be active in extracurricular activities, and show strength in academics. But that isn’t all. According to the application, what makes the Cameron Impact Scholar unique among their peers is their desire to directly impact their communities and the world at large.
One of the questions was ‘what has been your most significant impact in your community?’ I read that and I'm like ‘impact?’ But I read it again and I just saw a student under the desk. It was on a day my sophomore year [UHS] was closed. On this day I thought, ‘okay I have two choices, I can either go home or I can volunteer at an elementary school,’ which I did. When I went into a classroom, I saw a student under the table while the rest of the students were learning about math and he was shutting down. He was crying because he did not know how to do any of the activities that they were doing in class. When I looked into his eyes, I saw he had the capability of excelling at academics, but there was something he didn't have. It was a lack of support. So I connected with him, and for two years straight, we did 15 to 20 minutes every day of instruction. I would make him activities based off of the things he liked. We would practice sight words, his sounds, everyday, until the point where he is now exceeding state standards. I think that was my impact, because here's something that many overlooked. So I was really able to just tell that story of how I saw something within somebody that just needed some guidance, some support to flourish."
After his interview in November, the Foundation’s Executive Director called Mycal in December to tell him the good news, but it’s what she said next that he remembers most.
“She said, ‘Mr. Tim presented you at our Board meeting and I want you to know that I would love to have you as one of my kids’ teachers.’ So I did what I wanted to do. I articulated all of the visions.”
While Mycal may not know where he wants to attend college, he already knows what he intends to study. He plans to pursue a dual degree in special education and elementary education.
“The job of being a teacher is just mentally straining, like psychologically, it’s just so much that goes on,” he said. “But now that I’ve had these experiences, there is no way that I can ignore the calling that God has given me to enter education.”
The education field is not a new career choice in his family. Mycal’s mother also works in education. “What surprised me, [my mom] told me that I’m going to be a better educator than her. She is one of my biggest influences. Growing up, I didn’t realize how much I paid attention to her until I was saying things to my students that she says to her students”
Down the line, Mycal has his sights set on earning his Masters and Doctorate degrees, with a goal of being in an educational leadership role facilitating professional development sessions.
“One of my biggest admirations here in this building has to be Mrs. Yavonnda Smith. I tell her all the time, ‘you are doing exactly what I aspire to do.’ Her ability to craft leaders, work with teachers and also have an impact within the classroom, even if it’s more indirect, that is what I am looking for. Being an expert in the field, being able to work with schools and teachers and systems, getting them implemented for a better outcome, that’s my lifelong goal.”
But starting as a teacher has always been the first stepping stone.
“Listen, nobody’s gonna buy your curriculum if you don’t have experience teaching. It’s just like you wouldn’t take your car to a mechanic that’s never worked on a car.”