Chemari Reeves
2020 has been a challenging year for sports, but an arguably more challenging year for students pursuing higher education. Pandemic or not, getting into college is a lofty goal for many people due to a broad spectrum of limiting circumstances. Some are up against greater obstacles than others and could benefit from an extra boost.
Single mother and full-time nursing student from Fairburn, Georgia, Chemari Reeves, is a prime example. Her dream is to become a neonatal nurse, but that dream seemed out of reach financially because it requires more schooling.
Chemari Reeves. All photos courtesy of Dr Pepper
So Chemari applied to Dr Pepper's Tuition Giveaway Program, using that goal as her inspiration. The giveaway program has been around for 12 years, but this year, Dr Pepper decided to double their tuition offering to $2 million, the largest offering in the program's history. It is being awarded to deserving students throughout the 2020/21 college football season.
The program accepted video submissions at DrPepperTuition.com through October 18, 2020. Applicants were encouraged to explain how the tuition would be instrumental in their lives to help them achieve their goals.
"Soon after my son's birth, both my son and I experienced serious complications," Chemari said in her video submission. The medical care they received made her want to be that "beacon of hope and light for someone else."
Chemari's moving story led to her being named one of six finalists who competed for tuition dollars up to $125,000 in a head to head Throw Competition hosted at Dude Perfect headquarters in Frisco, Texas.
Chemari and another finalist, Tate Lewis holding their tuition checks
The competition, pre-recorded and held under the guidance of health authorities, aired during the ACC, BIG12, and SEC championship games on December 19th. Chemari was a second-place winner, and earned $75,000 towards her nursing school tuition.
"Because of Dr Pepper, I am receiving a $75,000 scholarship, which will not only allow me to officially graduate from nursing school with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree DEBT FREE, but it will also put me closer towards obtaining my Master's Degree. I am determined to become the best neonatal nurse practitioner for my future tiny patients. Life is beautiful, I am so incredibly blessed and I will NEVER forget the graciousness I was shown and the life-changing experiences I have had as a finalist in the 12th annual Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway" exclaimed Chemari.
Chemari was in good company among the other finalists — they've all worked to overcome hardship and have dreams of helping others do the same.
Tate Lewis from Paris, Texas, for example, lives with a rare heart defect called HLHS, and was told at an early age that he'd never be able to play sports — his "number one love." But after surviving five open-heart surgeries, a stroke, and a paralyzed vocal cord, he realized he could overcome the odds. By the time he hit high school, Tate was playing in the Texas High School State Golf Championship.
Tate Lewis upon winning $125,000 in tuition during the throw competition
His next goal was to finish business school and start a company that accommodates people with special needs, but his extensive medical debt was making that difficult. After landing first place in the throw competition and earning $125,000, he'll be much closer to achieving that dream.
Finalist Preston Barnett from Baytown, Texas is no stranger to tragedy. In 2017, Hurricane Harvey flooded his house and devastated his community. But rather than let the experience defeat him, he turned to his computer science skills to create a drone capable of delivering life-saving supplies to those impacted by natural disasters. He's honing his idea at Texas A&M, and also working 25 hours a week to offset the financial strain of the tuition.
Preston Barnett in the throw competition
He entered Dr Pepper's Tuition Giveaway Program so that he could dedicate more time to improving his autonomous drone technology knowhow, and managed to win a grand prize in the throw competition equating to $125,000 in tuition dollars.
Not every finalist had to throw a football to win money for tuition. Mario Porras from El Paso, Texas, for example, thought he'd be answering trivia questions to win funds, but was instead surprised by singer/songwriter Kane Brown and Brown's manager Nikki Boon, a previous winner in the Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway program, with $50,000. Kane shared the news and video capturing the moment on his official Twitter and Facebook accounts.
Mario Porras learning he won
Mario's getting his bachelor's degree in vocal performance at the University of North Texas, and hopes to receive his masters in musical performance, but as a Latinx son of a single parent, the road to becoming a professional singer hasn't always been easy. With the tuition boost, Mario hopes he can reach his dream of inspiring other Latinx and LGBTQIA members to follow their own.
Kale Corbett from Lakemont, Georgia also received a surprise call telling him he'd won $50,000 for tuition, but his surprise was twofold. He also got to meet the woman who saved his life, and help her get $50,000 for her children's tuition.
At 10-years-old, Kale was diagnosed with leukemia and needed a bone marrow transplant. He only had a 15% chance of survival, but thanks to a transplant from a single mother in New Mexico, he's now a three-sport athlete and excelling in school. In his competition submission, he asked for tuition to help him become a pediatric oncology nurse, but he also asked Dr Pepper to help him meet and thank his bone marrow donor by giving her half of whatever they could offer him for her children's education. Dr Pepper delivered on both counts.
Kale (right) meeting his bone marrow donor Barbara (left)
Dr Pepper has a longstanding commitment to bolster young people's education through their unique tuition giveaway program. Even though the contest looked different this year, the goal was the same. This year's unprecedented offering, however, allowed the company to give more young people the opportunity to achieve their ultimate professional and personal aspirations.