Meet The Travelers
Established in 1998 with generous gifts from the Springs Close Foundation, the Close Scholars Program supports the commitment of the Springs Close Foundation to give back to the communities of York, Lancaster, and Chester counties, as well as Winthrop's vision of enrolling "an achievement-oriented, culturally diverse and socially responsible student body." These talented and committed students are developing social consciousness and inner strength by helping others and building a legacy with a rich yield to the greater community.
Shelia Higgs Burkhalter
Rock Hill, SC
Shelia is the Vice President for Student Affairs at Winthrop and the advisor for both the Council of Student Leaders and the Close Scholars. This is her second trip with the Close Scholars and she is looking forward to experiencing everything on this trip - especially ziplining!
Miguel Caldwell
Camden, SC
Miguel is a junior studying Elementary Education from Camden, SC. Miguel serves in several different capacities around campus and in his community at home. Miguel is a writer and podcaster who has an immense passion for raising mental health awareness.
Jewel Edwards
Columbia, SC
Jewel Edwards was born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina. Jewel is a recent graduate of Winthrop University. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts and a minor in educational studies in May 2022. After graduation, Jewel will be an art teacher teaching K-8th grade at a public charter school in Greenville, SC. Jewel has been a Close Scholar volunteer intern at the Early Learning Partnership of York County for the past 4 years. She is super excited about this Costa Rica adventure with the Close Scholars!
Sydney Gambrell
Pendleton, SC
Sydney is a Fine Arts student, majoring in Painting. She is an only child, born and raised in Pendleton, South Carolina. While at Winthrop, she has been proud to be involved in several campus organizations and opportunities such as being a Winthrop Close Scholar, Peer Mentor, and Union of Student Artists Board Member. She anticipates graduating in May 2023, and hopes to pursue a career within an artistic environment that centers itself within its community as well as being a working artist.
As a Close Scholar, she volunteers at several locations across Fort Mill and Rock Hill. Most of her time is dedicated to Anne Springs Close Greenway and Rock Hill’s Kindred Hospice. While at the Greenway, she volunteers weekly at the nature-based preschool, and they have created amazing bonds with each other. She also spends time around the year creating handmade cards for the Kindred Hospice patients. Both commitments allow her to engage with my community in rewarding ways.
Excitingly, this will be her second trip to Costa Rica, and she cannot wait to experience this trip with fellow Close Scholars. Outside of academics, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, especially her two pups at home. Any time spent shopping, getting my nails done, or eating sushi is a good day for her!
Keenan Grigg
Charleston, SC
Keenan is new to the Winthrop Family but not new to traveling. Some of her trips include London, Paris and Seoul, South Korea! She is looking forward to sharing this experience with the Close Scholars but she is not looking forward to the ziplines...
Nastajia Hamilton
Manning, SC
Nastajia is a senior Psychology major with a minor in Music on an honors track. She has been a Close Scholar since her first year at Winthrop in 2020. Due to receiving her Associate's Degree in General Education during high school, she will be graduating two years early from Winthrop in December. After graduation, Nastajia plans on earning her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology in order to start her own non-profit mental health practice offering free and reduced mental healthcare to marginalized communities.
Nyssa Hemingway
Charleston, SC
Nyssa is a new graduate from Winthrop University with a B.A. in Political Science with a minor in International and Global Studies. After a gap year Nyssa will attend law school with hopes of becoming a civil rights attorney and one day President of the United States. She is excited to head to Costa Rica and practice her Spanish speaking.
Martin Jackson
Rock Hill, SC
Martin Jackson is a senior Political Science major with double minors in History and Social Sciences. He has been a Close Scholar for all 4 years of undergrad. After college he plans on pursuing a Masters in Public Administration and Policy. He loves community service and public service and says the best way to give back is to humble oneself in service to others. A mantra he lives by is “Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can!” -Arthur Ashe
Terrik Johnson
Kingstree, SC
Terrik Johnson is a recent graduate of Winthrop University with a B.S. in Exercise Science. He's extremely excited to go on this journey in Costa Rica and get to experience a variety of new things!
Seth Merritt
Fort Mill, SC
Seth is a senior majoring in biology and minoring in chemistry. Upon graduation from Winthrop, he plans to work as a phlebotomist while applying to Physician’s Assistant school.
Lauren Patterson
Greenville, SC
Lauren is senior at Winthrop University and originally from Greenville, SC. Her major is biology with a concentration in biomedical research, and a minor in chemistry. After graduation, she plans to get my PhD in cancer biology. She loves spending time at the beach, so she's looking forward to our trip to Costa Rica!
Karl Vogl II
Detroit, MI and Columbia, SC
Karl is a junior Mass Communication Major with a double minor in Theatre and Leadership Studies. He is extremely excited to go on this trip and push his boundaries. He will continue on his journey of self discovery in Berlin this summer while I complete an internship thanks to the Close Springs Foundation.
Chia Yang
SC
Chia is a recent graduate of Winthrop University with a B.S. in Business Administration with a Finance Concentration. She is a first-generation student, second-generation Hmong immigrant, and the second oldest among her 8 siblings. Starting June 2022, she will start her career as a full-time Financial Planning Associate. She has always had a passion for helping others since she was young, hence joining the Close Scholars through all of her undergrad along with her career choice of a financial planner/advisor. She hopes to use this experience at Costa Rica as an encouragement to volunteer more abroad.