Four Haywood High School seniors recently took their first campus visit and college tour to the University of Memphis, an event sponsored by the Ayers Foundation. Joining other Ayers Foundation schools, students walked the campus, met with admissions counselors and participated in a Q&A student panel. “Today was an exciting day as we took our first campus tour with HHS students. I was very impressed by our students. They represented Haywood High School well and now have a better insight on what college at the University of Memphis would look like. We had meaningful conversations about their plans for after high school,” shared Ayers Foundation College Access and Success Counselor Sara Benard.

What is the Ayers Foundation?

The Ayers Foundation, created in 1999, has a clear, concise mission: to improve the quality of life for Tennesseans. Focusing primarily on education, conservation and social welfare, the Ayers Foundation offers financial support for college scholarships, medical services for children, research into pre-cancer detection and diagnosis, continuing education for teachers and other charitable donations and grants.

Their area of greatest concentration – and the one that most directly impacts students and residents of Haywood County – is on improving post-secondary education opportunities for high school students in rural counties. 

Cutline: Haywood High School seniors took their first college campus tour to the University of Memphis. Pictured L-R: Mattilyn Taylor, Jeremiah Clemmons, Shamaiya Flagg and Nima Hasan.