ECU freshman wins free textbooks for spring semester
Last fall freshman Laila Williams and her mother were trying to figure out how they were going to pay for Laila’s spring semester at East Carolina University.
Laila Williams of High Point poses with PeeDee in Dowdy Student Store with the textbooks for her spring semester classes. Williams won the textbooks in a drawing sponsored by the store during Family Weekend last fall. (Contributed photo)
“I was praying to God for some help so that I could stay here and continue my education,” the High Point native said. “God did answer me when I had lost most of my hope.”
The answer came when Williams won a semester’s worth of free textbooks in a Dowdy Student Stores contest she entered during Family Weekend last September. Her required books for the spring semester totaled $500.
“I have never won a big prize like this one,” Williams said. “I was very excited to receive this blessing.”
Williams is majoring in biology and minoring in business. “I plan on entering medical school and either becoming a dentist or pediatrician,” she said. “I decided to minor in business because I have a plan to open up my own private practice. I like the feeling of being the boss with a corresponding team that shares the same vision as I do.”
Williams is a graduate of High Point Central High School, where she was a member of the International Baccalaureate program, Top Teens of America, High Point Youth Council, National Honor Society, National Beta Club and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She also played soccer, basketball, and ran track, and danced with the On Stage School of Dance for 13 years.
She is the daughter of Leslie Cue and Algernon Williams of High Point.
Dowdy Student Store is one of the largest contributors to academic merit, athletic and need-based scholarships at ECU. “One hundred percent of net profits from the campus stores go back to scholarships and campus programs,” said Bryan Tuten, Dowdy director.
-by Karen Simmons, University Communications
-Contact: ECU Dowdy Student Stores, Director Bryan Tuten, 252-328-6731 or Karen Simmons, 252-737-1311