ACE student-athlete values competition and teamwork

Competition and teamwork in the classroom and on the football field are important to Robert Sneed, so when he realized people in his public school were not taking education seriously, he set out to join a different team.

Robert set his sights on attending the University Academy of Central Louisiana in Alexandria, where students experience a college curriculum and instruction, while maintaining a high school experience. He had found the school that would challenge him to achieve his potential, but lacked the financial resources to attend.

“When I first walked in the door the counselors and teachers took a personal interest in me and never let me give up hope,” Robert explained. “I look back on the day that the counselor let me know I had received the ACE Scholarship as the day that my life changed forever.”

University Academy focuses on instilling academic and personal excellence with the goal of having students graduate from high school with a near or completed Associates Degree by the end of high school.

Robert is convinced that he would not have even graduated from high school at his former public school. Instead, he graduated from University Academy with 25 college credits and is planning to major in biological science at LSU-Alexandria, with the goal of becoming a pharmacist.

“My family is proud of me and that means a lot,” said Robert. “I needed a chance to achieve my dreams and receiving the ACE Scholarship made all the difference.”