Be an NCBA Star Student – Get Good Grades, Get Involved, Give Back
Since 1984, the NC Bankers Association Foundation has awarded nearly $1.5 million in college scholarship funds to more than 120 high school seniors with a parent employed by an NCBA member bank. Last year’s recipients were Anna Holt Basinger of New Hanover High School in Wilmington, now in her freshman year at the University of Virginia; and Jefferson’s Lane Miller, an Ashe County High School graduate in his first year at Duke University. This year’s application window opens soon, so continue to watch this space for details. As we ramp up for the 41st year of the scholarship program, we are highlighting the 2024 finalists in our Star Student Spotlight. This week, John Sullivan, Senior Director of the NCBA’s Future Bank Leaders Program, spoke with Karsyn Vann from Jordan-Matthews High School in Siler City, now a freshman at Elon University. She is the daughter of First Citizens Bank’s Kristen Vann.
John Sullivan: You’ve accomplished a lot: in the classroom, on stage, as a volunteer. What are you most proud of?
Karsyn Vann: Definitely my ability to connect with people. I’m bilingual – English and Spanish – so that’s allowed me to open doors that might not have been otherwise. I also discovered I could connect with people through my involvement in theater, which was cool because it’s connecting in a different way. It’s a universal experience.
JS: You’ve put a lot of pressure on yourself since you were young. Where did that come from?
KV: When I was eight years old I knew I wanted to go to college. That’s what I wanted for myself. I was sure it was my destiny. And in my pre-pubescent mind I thought that meant I had to do everything perfectly – if I didn’t make all A’s no one would take me. Now that I’m older I realize that’s not true. I just wish I would have figured it out sooner because I would have saved myself a lot of stress and anxiety, but I’m also thankful because that played a huge part in helping me develop a strong work ethic.
JS: Things changed when you made your first B. What happened?
KV: I had made straight A’s my entire life. In my senior year of high school – I was so close to the end – I made a B in Pre-Calculus. I was heart broken. Then a friend of mine calmed me down. She said ‘It’s ok because this was the world before you took that class…’ making a circle with her hands, like a ball “…and this is the world after you took that class,’ making the same gesture. That made total sense because it put things in perspective. And my parents were so supportive, as they always were when I was growing up, telling me I didn’t have to be perfect at everything. That whole episode was super important because it made me realize going into college that it’s ok to make a B, or even a C, because C’s get degrees too (laughing).
JS: Given that experience, what advice would you offer to someone in high school?
KV: Be yourself. Sounds cheesey, but people will either like you or they won’t. You don’t have to like everyone and everyone doesn’t have to like you. Stay true to yourself. That’s what counts.
JS: What social media platform do you spend the most time on?
KV: I don’t have social media. I don’t need to know what other people are doing 24/7. Don’t get me wrong. I think’s it’s great, but personally, I would rather spend my time on other things. My friends know they can text me. It’s never been an isssue.
JS: Time for the rapid response round. Favorite color?
KV: Black. Some people say it’s boring, but I think it’s cool because it’s dark and mysterious.
JS: Would you describe yourself as dark and mysterious?
KV:(laughing) No…not at all!
JS: Lucky number?
KV: Seven because I’m a huge Harry Potter fan and seven is a big part of the series.
JS: Cat or dog?
KV: Cat.
JS: Beach or mountains?
KV: Beach.
JS: Read a story or write a story?
KV: Read a story.
JS: Take a nap or hang out with a friend?
KV: Hang out with a friend. I’m not a napper.
JS: Last question. The way you spell Karsyn is unique. Is there a story behind that?
KV: Yes. When my mom was pregant with me, the due date was getting closer and my parents still hadn’t come up with a name. One night they were eating at Applebee’s and their server was a guy named Carson. My mom really liked the name, but wanted it to be more “girly” so they decided to spell it with a K and a Y. I love that story and I love my name.