Senior Sage Crosby '21 has been awarded the Morehead-Cain Scholarship, a prestigious four-year award for attendance at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The Morehead-Cain Scholarship, established in 1945, was the first merit scholarship program in the United States. In addition to the four-year undergraduate award at UNC-Chapel Hill, scholars enjoy a focus on leadership development, international travel and summer enrichment opportunities, grants for research and innovation, and strong advisory and networking programs. Rigorous criteria for selection include demonstrated leadership, character, scholarship and physical vigor.

Faculty and staff familiar with Sage's many accomplishments said that she more than meets those requirements.

"From the very first day in ninth grade, I could tell that Sage possessed the intellectual maturity, poise and inner drive to accomplish great things in the Upper School. Across four challenging years, Sage has not disappointed," her advisor, history and social studies teacher Mark Laskowski, said. "In that time, she has emerged as the very embodiment of our goal to promote learning, leading and serving."

Sage's list of extracurricular activities underscores her commitment to and investment in the school community. Throughout her time in the Upper School, she has served as an officer in the Student Government Association, played on the varsity lacrosse team and helped support a more welcoming and equitable environment through involvement with Nubian Queens and SPEAK (Students Pursuing Equity And Kindness). She is also a candidate for the International Diploma.

Outside of school, Sage serves as a regional teen secretary for Jack and Jill of America, a national youth leadership development organization, and hosted a webinar they produced on teen mental health. She has also been a volunteer in the Central Regional Hospital Junior Volunteer Program, working alongside mental health professionals for several summers. Along with several family members (including sister Chaz Crosby '18), in 2020 she founded RxDisinfect, a company that provides sanitization products to essential workers and members of vulnerable communities.

For Sean Kennedy, Sage's college counselor, the breadth of her school and community involvement is made even more impressive by the way in which she has pursued each opportunity.

"Her catalogue of activities suggests that she functions with a pace and efficiency worthy of awe and admiration. However, what the list does not reveal is the authenticity and depth of her commitment to each endeavor," he said. "Wherever the activity is, Sage is present and engaged. In her there is no passive gear, no show-up-to-get-credit or here-to-be-seen mindset. She understands as well as any student I've encountered that making an impact and a positive contribution takes time and energy, both of which she offers in spades."

Sage said she's "incredibly thrilled and humbled" by the award.

"I will have support from an amazing group of fellow scholars, alumni and advisors. The Morehead-Cain Foundation pushes scholars beyond their comfort zone through their summer immersion programs," she said. "Whether it's mountaineering through Wyoming's off-roads or interning for an esteemed congressman on Capitol Hill, the foundation wants each scholar to have an individualized experience that caters to them."

As one of 39 lifers in the Class of 2021, Sage said that she's "grateful" to Ravenscroft for the opportunities and resources that helped her chart her course.

"Throughout middle school and my freshman year, I sought out many extracurriculars to try and find my passions. Ravenscroft's vast array of clubs, sports and classes allowed me to do just that. After realizing I had a strong interest in community involvement, social justice and law, I was able to partake in endeavors that solidified my genuine drive for these passions," she said. "I truly utilized my college counselor, Mr. Kennedy, and his guidance undoubtedly helped me through the process.

"I can't wait to see what the scholarship has in store for me."

Congratulations, Sage!