Kaeleigh Kruger
Kaeleigh Kruger knew choosing where to attend college wasn’t a decision she should take lightly, so the 17-year-old didn’t hesitate to ask “Why ECU?” to everyone she met on East Carolina University’s campus.
As part of her chosen major — vocal performance — Kruger had to audition for the program. During that process, she asked the faculty why ECU would be a good choice.
“They told me that you can find musical talent and dedication anywhere, but the kind of community offered by ECU’s School of Music is hard to find,” the Raleigh native said. “Then I asked current EC Scholars, ‘Why ECU?’ and their love for the Honors College and university was apparent as they explained the abundance of opportunities they had discovered through ECU.”
Kruger will have a chance to experience all the opportunities afforded to EC Scholars as a member of the newest class this fall. EC Scholars is the most prestigious undergraduate award program offered at ECU. The four-year merit scholarship recognizes outstanding academic performance, commitment to community engagement and strong leadership skills. Recipients receive an Honors College scholarship and a stipend for study abroad for a total value of nearly $64,000.
“Literally when I found out, my entire family was jumping up and down with excitement,” she said. “I feel so grateful to be a part of such a strong program and I feel like it is my job to repay that gratitude. For me, being an EC Scholar means being an advocate for ECU.”
Kruger can’t wait to immerse herself in a variety of opportunities, especially Musical Empowerment, an organization that pairs student volunteers with undeserved children to provide free instruments and music lessons.
“I played violin for eight years, and volunteering with Musical Empowerment combines my love of working with children and music,” she said.
This love is evident in how she has spent every summer since she was 14 working as a camp counselor at Arts Together, a nonprofit arts organization. She has surrounded herself with music and the arts, including four years of theater, founding an audio production club at Enloe High School and dancing at the North Carolina Dance Institute for five years.
“I play guitar and sing in a band with my brother and our friends,” she said. “My favorite thing to do is make or listen to music with other people. We’ve gotten good at arranging our own music and have some performances coming up that I’m excited about.”
The daughter of Lisa and Steve Kruger hopes to pursue a career in vocal performance before attending graduate school for speech pathology.
“After watching a Duke Health seminar on the preservation of vocal health for singers over quarantine, I discovered I had a passion for vocal health,” she said. “I want to open a clinic that helps singers with their vocal health.”
Before graduating, Kruger will have the chance to participate in study abroad, and she already has big plans for her trip.
“I would love to study abroad in Italy,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to travel to Europe and as a classical voice major, being in the home of opera would be an amazing experience.”
“I feel so grateful to be a part of such a strong program, and I feel like it is my job to repay that gratitude.”
High School: Enloe High School
Intended major: Music with a Voice Performance concentration
Hometown: Raleigh