Mariama Apollo
Mariama “Mari” Apollo said the other colleges she visited didn’t show as much care for their students as East Carolina University, which welcomed her like family.
“I wanted a college that felt like a home away from home, which is exactly what ECU offers,” she said.
Apollo is one of 20 students selected for the Brinkley-Lane Scholars program, 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 a fully funded education, covering the cost of tuition, fees, room and board for both in-state and out-of-state students and unique high impact experiences, as well as the ability to explore the world with a $5,000 study abroad stipend. Scholars benefit from access to an array of leadership opportunities, research with award-winning faculty and a robust alumni network.
“Being a Brinkley-Lane Scholar symbolizes hard work, dedication and happiness,” Apollo said. “Being a Brinkley-Lane Scholar highlights the dedication of my studies and marks a time where I can be happy doing what I want to do with people who are like me.”
Apollo soon will be graduating in the top 10% of her class at Jack Britt High School in Fayetteville, where she received the AP Scholar Award and was involved in several honor societies. She has been active in orchestra since middle school, both as an all-county and Junior Eastern Regional Orchestra participant. She served as a Science Olympiad officer and provided more than 300 hours of tutoring after starting a peer tutoring program that matches high school students with elementary and middle school students.
Apollo said she’s thankful that a high school counselor suggested she take physics; she plans to major in the subject along with mathematics. “It was almost like it was second nature to me. I began researching equations and immersing myself in what physicists are doing today. I fell in love with it,” she said. “The mathematics part of my major is honestly because physics requires some stellar math skills. I want to be ahead of the game when it comes to math.”
She’d eventually like to get a doctorate in physics and mathematics with a long-term goal to conduct research on particle acceleration. “Today, we are using so much energy to power our everyday lives. I want to find a way to collide particles to generate enough energy in a second to power an entire city. I am extremely interested in sustainability and practicality being in a generation suffering from climate change.”
Outside of coursework, Apollo looks forward to joining the Student Government Association and Black Student Union and playing flag football. “I also plan on joining a sorority and eventually becoming a peer tutor. I absolutely love serving the community that served me,” she said.
The Brinkley-Lane Scholars program provides a study abroad stipend, and Apollo would like to travel to Dubai. “As a person who loves physics, the gravity-defying buildings really catch my eye. I want to spend my time studying architectural designs and how Dubai remains so innovative. I hope their innovation can rub off on me.”
Before coming to campus, Apollo plans to spend time with family and her pet turtle, attend orchestra summer camp, and enjoy hobbies including diamond painting, going to the beach and watching reality TV.
Apollo, 18, is the daughter of Lydia and Ronald Apollo of Fayetteville.
“I wanted a college that felt like a home away from home, which is exactly what ECU offers.”
High school: Jack Britt High School
Intended majors: Physics and mathematics
Hometown: Fayetteville