By Ashley Oldham
The Jane Austen Summer Program is pleased to announce our six scholarship winners. Each year, JASP offers scholarships to North Carolina middle school and high school teachers who share a passion for Austen and a desire to bring her works into the classroom. Winners receive full program tuition, a scholar luncheon and a chance to attend the Regency tea.
Kayla Bullock
School: SandHoke Early College High School in Raeford
Subject: English IV
Literary character(s) I’m most like: I actually find myself being compared to Elinor Dashwood (“Sense and Sensibility”) at times. I tend to be very mothering in a way but am often taken as having too much of a stoic outlook on life.
What are you looking forward to most at JASP? I’m looking forward to learning more deeply about this time period, especially the dancing and tea!
Katie Garner
School: Phillips Middle School in Chapel Hill
Subject: Sixth-grade English and language arts
Literary character(s) I’m most like: Levin (“Anna Karenina”), Francie Nolan (“A Tree Grows in Brooklyn”), Harriet (“Harriet the Spy”)
What are you looking forward to most at JASP? Reviving my love for Jane Austen and period drama, learning how to make Austen more accessible for younger readers, and participating in cultural activities to make literature a more immersive experience (the Regency ball)!
Jennifer Holston
School: Mooresville High School in Mooresville
Subject: AP Literature and Composition, and English IV
Literary character(s) I’m most like: Elinor Dashwood (“Sense and Sensibility”)
What are you looking forward to most at JASP? I am most excited to interact with others who share a love of all things Austen! I’m looking forward to enjoying the program on a personal and professional level, enabling me to implement new and exciting things in my classroom.
Emily Phillips
School: Mooresville High School in Mooresville
Subject: English IV
Literary character(s) I’m most like: The literary character I most relate to is Mary Lennox from “The Secret Garden”; I admire her tenacity, her sense of exploration, and adaptability.
What are you looking forward to most at JASP? I am looking forward to getting to know other educators and fans of Austen and classic literature, and finding new ways to spark interest in my classroom.
Katie Souter
School: East Bladen High School in Elizabethtown
Subject: English
Literary character(s) I’m most like: I’m probably most like Josephine March (“Little Women”). Jo thinks for herself, comes up with imaginative solutions to difficult problems, and doesn’t let other people’s opinions stop her from pursuing her dreams.
What are you looking forward to most at JASP? I’m excited about the tea — and also about diving deep into one of my absolute favorite novels. “Pride and Prejudice” has been a favorite of mine since high school.
Lori Zeman
School: William A. Hough High School in Cornelius
Subject: Media coordinator
Literary character(s) I’m most like: Hermione Granger (in the “Harry Potter” series)
What are you looking forward to most at JASP? I am excited to attend JASP to have the opportunity to meet other educators and great readers who share my love for “Pride and Prejudice.” I love that I will get the opportunity to explore the classic book as well other adaptations that reflect various cultures from around the world. I look forward to working with other educators on how best to bring these great ideas back into the classroom.