Madison McCall Claims Top Prize in APEX Showcase
Jeremy Handel
Staff Writer
A former foster child herself, Spartanburg Methodist College senior Madison McCall knew she wanted to help other foster children with her senior Capstone project, “You Are Worth It.” Her passion for helping these kids ultimately led to her winning the third annual APEX Showcase and the $1,000 grand prize.
“I’m so excited. It was an honor to be chosen as the winner, but it means more to me that I was able to bring more attention to the need for mentoring and support in the foster community,” McCall said. “I can’t wait to continue building ‘You Are Worth It’ and providing more resources to these kids.”
McCall’s project was a six-week program of mentoring and tutoring students to help them grow their self-esteem and confidence through love, support, and guidance. She intends to continue the project after graduation.
“This summer I’ll be interning at PS, I Love You, where I hope to implement this project into their ministry,” she said. “My goal is to build something lasting that can continue to impact and support kids in foster care for the long term.”
McCall bested three other finalists at the college’s third annual Showcase.
Victoria Farr place second with her project “Adjust Your Crown,” a Christian-based set of interactive workshops design to improve self-esteem, self-love, confidence and a sense of self-empowerment for people who have experienced domestic abuse of other trauma. Farr received $750 for second place.
Bryson Summers and Tripp Melton tied for third place with their respective projects “Rev Up 4 Kids” and “Upward at the Springs.” Summers put on a car show to benefit the Shriners Hospitals for Children, raising nearly $3,000. Melton developed a children’s ministry program centered around basketball and cheerleading with an emphasis on learning about God. Both received $500 in prize money.
“This was an exceptional group of students who truly let their passion and hard work show through in these projects,” said SMC President Scott Cochran. “Their dedication to helping others is commendable, and our community will be a better place because of them.”