Archives: News

Crosby Scholars Hosts Alumni Networking Social at East of Texas

Crosby Scholars hosted our annual Alumni Networking Social on Thursday, July 30th, 2026 at East of Texas in Downtown Winston-Salem. Alumni from the Class of 1999 through the Class of 2026 joined us for an evening of loaded nachos, wings, and games under the big white tent on the outer patio.

If you are a Crosby Scholars Alum, we would love to keep you in the loop! Join our Alumni Network today to receive program updates and details about upcoming events!

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5 Crosby Scholars earn scholarships from NAACP Winston-Salem Branch

The Winston-Salem Branch of the NAACP offers $1,000 scholarships to five qualifying high school seniors from Winston-Salem / Forsyth County Schools every year. This year, all five recipients of the scholarship are part of our Crosby Scholars Class of 2026! We're so proud of our Scholars and wish them all the best in their upcoming academic journeys.

NAJA FLEMING

WINSTON-SALEM PREPARATORY ACADEMY

Naja Fleming maintained a 3.8 GPA and participated in the Career and College Promise Dual Enrollment Program through Forsyth Tech. She served as President of the NAACP Youth Chapter, was active in volleyball, Team Manager for the basketball and football teams, and participated in Crosby Scholars. She plans to attend North Carolina Central University to major in pre-Law and pursue a career advocating for justice.

LONDYN HUNT

PARKLAND HIGH SCHOOL

Londyn Hunt maintained a 3.7 GPA and was a member of the National Honor Society. She served as Chief of Staff of the Drama Club Board, participated in student leadership and Crosby Scholars, and co-founded the Parkland Closet. Active in her community and employed part-time at CVS, she plans to attend UNC Charlotte to major in Nursing and become a Physician Assistant.

SARAI RASHEED

REAGAN HIGH SCHOOL

Sarai Rasheed maintained a 3.9 GPA and was an AP Scholar with Distinction. She was active in DECA, Captain of the Varsity Cheerleading Team, and a member of the Varsity Golf Team. She participated in a Pre-College Program at WSSU, was involved in multiple honor societies, and community volunteer work. Sarai plans to attend Wake Forest University to study Political Science & Sociology, with goals of earning a JD-PhD.

NEVAEH WRIGHT

ATKINS HIGH SCHOOL

Nevaeh Wright maintained a 3.5 GPA and played Varsity Volleyball. She was active in SGA Leadership Council, HOSA, Crosby Scholars, 4-H Teen LEADS, and multiple honor societies, along with the school choral program. She volunteers in her community and plans to attend Wingate University to major in Biology with a minor in Music, with goals of becoming a physician and advocating for equitable healthcare.

TRINITY WATKINS

GLENN HIGH SCHOOL

Trinity Watkins maintained a 3.8 GPA and was a National Honor Society member and Top 10 senior recognized by the Kernersville Rotary Club. She was Varsity Cheerleading Captain and participated in Crosby Scholars, Upward Bound, track, and Girl Scouts. She studied cosmetology at the Career Center, volunteers in her community, and plans to attend Winston-Salem State University to study Business Management and Entrepreneurship, with goals of owning a salon.

Chick-fil-A at Thruway celebrates Senior Crosby Scholars with a free meal

On Friday, April 24th, Chick-fil-A at Thruway Shopping Center offered free meals to our Class of 2026 Scholars who attended the Senior Honors Celebration at Truist Stadium. We're grateful to partner with a local business that supports our organization's mission and celebrates our Scholars' accomplishments along with us!

Crosby Scholar Selected for Disney Dreamers Class of 2026

This March we received the exciting news that our Scholar, Madison, was chosen to participate in Disney Dreamers Academy at Walt Disney World!

Every year the program receives thousands of applications from across the country but only accepts 100 students. A few key elements that make a potential Dreamer stand out include intellectual curiosity, a love for learning and creativity, compassion, facing obstacles with poise and maturity, a generous spirit and optimism about the future.

Each spring, 100 exceptional young people arrive at the Disney Dreamers Academy with ambition, excitement and hopes for the future. The Disney Dreamers will return home with the motivation, guidance and skills to help make those dreams come true. - Learn About Disney Dreamers Academy

The Crosby Scholars Team is so proud to celebrate Madison's achievement in being named a Disney Dreamer. Madison shared the following highlights with us after her time at Disney Dreamers Academy this spring:

Top 5 memories (In no particular order because everything was amazing)

Video filming in Hollywood Studios
Interview with WPEG Power 98
DA'Jam party
The food
Special guest panels and sessions

Things I learned at Disney Dreamers Academy

"Meet, manage, and maximize your moment."
"Vague dreams get vague results."
"I am not defined by my greatest accomplishments or worst mistakes."
"You are not defined by the height you have risen, but the depth you have climbed."
The 6 C's (Constancy, Creativity, Curiosity, Confidence, Courage, and Community.)

Thank you again for your support. I'm excited to continue my journey at Crosby scholars as a Junior.

-Madison

6-10 Grade Program Requirements

Whether you just enrolled or are a returning Scholar, there are some requirements we ask you to complete each year. These tasks will prepare you to be a responsible and sharp student. Knowing what they are will help you to stay on top every year. Here is an outline of how the Program looks during the school year:

We also encourage every single one of our students to avoid receiving out of school suspension, which will result in the dismissal of the student from the Program for the year.

Community Service Requirement

2026-2027 Due Dates

Grade 12: January 31, 2027

Grades 9 - 11: April 1, 2027

Grades 6 - 8: May 7, 2027

Crosby Scholars are required to complete two (2) hours of community service each school year. Scholars must submit the digital Community Service form through CrosbyConnect.

What Is Community Service?
Community service is volunteering that benefits the community. Often, community service is performed with a non-profit organization such as a school, Crosby Scholars, or other similar organizations. It can also be fulfilled through volunteer activities with churches, scouts, school clubs, civic organizations, or community engagement.

Right to Deny Policy:
Crosby Scholars staff reserves the right to determine if an activity fulfills our Community Service requirement. Due to our non-profit status, we are unable to accept volunteering on the political campaign of a specific candidate. Service cannot directly benefit an immediate family member or a for-profit business.

Community Service Opportunities

Community Service may not be performed at for-profit organizations or businesses. Due to our nonprofit status, we are unable to accept community service with a specific candidate or political party as community service. Crosby Scholars staff reserves the right to determine if an activity fulfills its community service requirement.

CrosbyConnect - Log in to submit your form!

Submitting your Community Service Form is easy! No signatures required and no paper form needed! Just follow the steps below to submit your Community Service Form:

Log in to CrosbyConnect using your email address that receives Crosby Scholars emails.
On your student Dashboard, scroll to the "Tasks" section and click on "Community Service".
Select the red "Complete Form" button & submit your service activity.

Partner With Us

Community Partners with Community Service Opportunities:

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to promote your community service activity to more than 11,000 Crosby Scholars! Click the link above to submit your Community Service opportunity to be posted on our website.

If you're having trouble submitting your form or want to confirm if a service opportunity qualifies, please contact us!

Call our office at (336) 725-5371 or email us:

6th-8th Grade
middleschool@crosbyscholars.org

9th-10th Grade
highschool@crosbyscholars.org

11th-12th Grade
seniorprogram@crosbyscholars.org

Student Community Service Opportunities

Not sure where to begin? Start by thinking of things you are passionate about! Then, look for something related to that. Connecting your passions with the community's needs can help you find a meaningful community service experience.

Want to search by skill and interest? Check out the Love Out Loud Volunteer Base to find local opportunities related to your passions and skills to find service opportunities you will love!

Enjoy history, science, and artifacts? The Smithsonian Transcription Center relies on digital volunteers to help transcribe items. You can help others engage in immersive learning experiences through the Smithsonian!

What Is Community Service?
Community service is volunteering that benefits the community. Often, community service is performed with a non-profit organization such as a school, Crosby Scholars, or other similar organizations. It can also be fulfilled through volunteer activities with churches, scouts, school clubs, civic organizations, or community engagement.

Right to Deny Policy:
Crosby Scholars staff reserves the right to determine if an activity fulfills our Community Service requirement. Due to our non-profit status, we are unable to accept volunteering on the political campaign of a specific candidate. Service cannot directly benefit an immediate family member or a for-profit business.

Questions? Please contact us!

6th-8th Grade | middleschool@crosbyscholars.org

9th-10th Grade | highschool@crosbyscholars.org

11th-12th Grade | seniorprogram@crosbyscholars.org

Upcoming Community Service Opportunities Ongoing Community Service Opportunities Virtual & At-Home Opportunities

Upcoming Community Service Opportunities

Saturday, August 22, 2026 | 1:30pm-3:30pm - Pack Innovator Kits with Project Pathmakers (6th-8th Graders)
- At Project Pathmakers, we spread entrepreneurship, innovation and leadership to the youth of Forsyth County, NC.
- We are looking for 10-15 volunteers in 6th-8th grade to help us pack and sort up to 500 Project Pathmakers Innovator Kits, which will later be sent to classrooms. Snacks and drinks will be provided!
- Location: Clemmons Branch Library (Conference Room), 6365 James St., Clemmons, NC 27012
- Questions? Contact: Sudeeksha Devineni (336)467-3521 / projectpathmakers@gmail.com
- Click HERE to sign up!

Every Saturday - parkrun USA - Volunteer at the Happy Hill parkrun 5k (ALL ages)
- Click HERE to view additional information about this ongoing volunteer opportunity.
- The Happy Hill parkrun 5k will take place EVERY SATURDAY at 8am May-September and 9am October through April.
- Most volunteers are expected to arrive 15-20 minutes before event start time, and stay until event completion (at around an hour and a half after the start time).

Friday, September 11 - Pack disaster preparedness kits with HandsOn NWNC
- HandsOn NWNC is hosting a service event to pack disaster preparedness kits - click HERE for additional details.
- Two shifts are available: 11:30am-1:00pm & 4:00pm-5:30pm (They're in need of extra volunteers for the later shift.)
- Click HERE to sign up!

Saturday, September 12, 2026 - Volunteer at the Gateway Nature Preserve
- We need your help at the Gateway Nature Preserve! Volunteer work can include weed removal, some digging, invasive species removal, planting, etc. We'll have the tools needed. Registration is required and the mandatory volunteer waiver included below needs to be signed before the event. Come help us maintain the meadow, forest discovery trail, and other areas around the preserve to continue restoring natural flora and fauna habitat as well as a space for community to enjoy the outdoors.
- Click HERE to sign up!

Saturday, September 19, 2026 - Volunteer at Athena's Run for GYN Cancers
- Athena’s Run for GYN Cancers is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness and supporting those affected by gynecologic cancers. After a hiatus from the 5K since 2019, we are thrilled to bring this important event back to our community. The event will bring together survivors, families, friends, healthcare professionals, and community members for a morning focused on awareness, hope, support, and honoring those impacted by GYN cancers.
- Volunteers are an essential part of making Athena’s Run a success. Whether you are helping with race-day activities, supporting participants, assisting with the Warriors for Wellness Expo, or helping behind the scenes, your time and energy can make a meaningful difference.
- Location: Tanglewood Park in Clemmons, NC
- Click HERE to sign up! (volunteer password: "Volunteer!")

Saturday, September 26, 2026 - Volunteer at Joy Prom
- Joy Prom Piedmont Triad is a full-scale, annual prom for individuals with special needs in our community. Established in 2015, we welcome guests ages 16+, with any physical, developmental, or intellectual "different ability." It takes approximately 2 – 3 volunteers per special needs guest for us to hold our event each year. We hope you will sign up to volunteer for our event so that you can be a part of such a wonderful and rewarding evening that is sure to bless your heart as much as it blesses the guests and caregivers that attend.
- Volunteers may help with General Set Up, Dining Room Set Up, Set Up Glitz & Glamour, Decorations, Hanging Signage, Parking Signage, Etc.
- Click HERE to sign up!

Saturday, September 26-27, 2026 - Volunteer at Bike MS: Tour To Tanglewood
- Bike MS: Tour to Tanglewood is a historic event that brings in over 400 cyclists and raises over $700,000 annually. Join us for our 41st year and help support our cyclists and our mission to end Multiple Sclerosis.
- Click HERE to sign up!

Ongoing Community Service Opportunities

American Red Cross - Volunteer to be a Blood Donor Ambassador (16+) | Assist by greeting others, cleaning, and managing donor questions. Every 2 seconds, someone in the US needs blood and one blood donation can save up to 3 lives. Help and support your community in North Carolina.

Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist - Volunteer at the Free Mobile Health Clinic (18+) | We have 2 volunteer opportunities: 1.) assist with patient intake by helping patients fill out forms and also take simple vital signs of patients, or 2.) serve as a Spanish interpreter to help the provider communicate with each patient during their visit.

Bookmarks - Volunteer at our bookstore | Assist with author events, book build processing, and daily operations. Volunteers may be adults or minors (under 18), but children must be accompanied and directly supervised by an adult volunteer.

Forsyth Humane Society - Volunteer at the shelter or an event | Whether it’s cleaning, community outreach, or providing comfort to an animal in need, FHS’s volunteer program offers a wide variety of opportunities for animal lovers to use their talents and skills to help the animals of Forsyth County be happy, healthy, and thriving!

Fairytale Farm Rescue & Sanctuary - Help care for animals with special needs | We are seeking outgoing, community-minded volunteers to help build relationships with local pet stores and businesses that may support our rescue mission. Volunteers under 18 must have parent or guardian approval and may require adult supervision. No prior animal experience is required!
Volunteer responsibilities include:
- Feed and water rabbits and farm animals
- Clean enclosures and living spaces
- Monitor animal health and behavior Assist with enrichment and socialization
- Support daily farm operations
- Learn specialized care routines for animals with disabilities and special needs
- etc...

greeNest - Volunteer at a Youth Workday | We provide families transitioning from crisis situations with access to affordable home furnishings. Are you a “clean machine”? Help us tidy up our donations with minor cleaning and repairs. Is your particular talent geared more toward the artistic side of the brain? Help make our "showroom" attractive and welcoming to our guests!

Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County - Volunteer at a home construction site or at our ReStore | Our houses are built and remodeled largely with volunteer labor, enabling Habitat homeowner families to purchase decent, quality housing at an affordable price. Volunteers play a crucial role in staffing our ReStores, which sell donated items and therefore provide revenue to support Habitat’s work.

HandsOn NWNC - Volunteer at Love Community Development Corporation (LoveCDC) | Our mission is to enrich the lives of community residents through educational programs and resources which will result in a safe, healthy, wholesome, and sustained community. Known to many in the community as “Love Center” - an epitome of who we are – “Love” is truly at the center of all we do! We implement educational and social programs that provide supportive services to Forsyth and surrounding county residents.

H.O.P.E. of Winston-Salem - Volunteer to help prepare, organize, or distribute food | H.O.P.E. of Winston-Salem works at the intersection of children’s health and food insecurity. We execute weekend distributions of nutritious meals for children and fresh fruits and vegetables for families struggling with food insecurity.

Inspiring Hope Learning Center (IHLC) - Tutoring / Relationship Building with Elementary School Students | The purpose of the IHLC is to increase the success of our students and help them become all they can be through a Christ-centered holistic after school program. We ask our volunteers to build relationships with the students as well as assist with homework. Starting August 24th, 2026, come by any day, Monday through Friday, between 3pm and 6pm. Tutoring time is 4:30pm- 5:30pm! Location: Bridges Church, 3151 Reynolda Rd., Winston Salem, NC 27106. Contact Stacey Norris to sign up: 336-782-2253.

Kernersville Little Theatre - Help with a stage build or strike and front of house | Stage Build or Strike: Assist with painting walls, floors, and molding; detail paint designs like wallpaper or stone textures; perform light carpentry such as assembling sets, inserting doors, or attaching platform legs. During strike, help disassemble and store set pieces. Front of House: Welcome guests, scan or sell tickets, staff the concession table, or hand out programs before performances.

Mountain Valley Hospice - Volunteer at one of our locations | Whether it’s a smile, companionship, reading or using your talents to ease the weight of a day for a patient or family member, hospice volunteers are rewarded with the appreciation of those they serve. We offer a free comprehensive training program each month that includes understanding hospice, symptom management, communication and grief.

New Bethel Baptist Church - Volunteer with our Journalistic Society | Volunteers will help with filing and organizing issues of The Spotlight, the church’s newspaper, dating back to 1953.

New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church - Volunteer at our food pantry | Giving People HOPE, PURPOSE, and FOOD. The NJMBC Food Pantry is staffed by volunteers. Food boxes are prepared for individuals and families according to the number of people in the household. NJMBC Food Pantry partners include the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC, local grocery stores and private donors.

PAW Alliance (Piedmont Animal Welfare Alliance) - Help us stand up for underdogs! | We are a volunteer-centered nonprofit working at the intersection of animal welfare and social justice. We need volunteers to help us help others. Be part of our Village! We have a variety of opportunities, and your gifts, talents and skills can really help us with our work. Some short-term volunteer jobs such as putting up flyers etc., would be excellent for Service Hours for teens!

Riverwood Therapeutic Riding Center - Volunteer at our equine therapy program (14+) | Class volunteers must be at least 14 years old, able to walk and stand for 1 hour, and be willing to commit to a [minimum] of one class a week Monday through Friday for a minimum of 8 weeks of service. While a history of horsemanship is welcomed, it is not required in order to be a good volunteer. Volunteer orientations are held every other month and can be found on our event calendar. After attending a volunteer orientation, you will have the knowledge you need to start working with our riding community.

Ronald McDonald House Piedmont Triad - Serve at our "home away from home" | In 2024, volunteers contributed more than 16,000 hours of their time to prepare meals for families, help with clerical and household tasks, visit children in the hospital, and provide programming for our families. We are always happy to have an extra set of hands and there are many ways to help, as an individual or as a group.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC - Help feed our community | Second Harvest has volunteer opportunities nearly every day. Whether you choose to help in the Community Meals kitchen packing up trays for children and seniors; inspect donations in the warehouse; catch rays and tend beds in the Fitzgerald Teaching Garden (seasonally); or help out in the office, you’ll be part of a community of people working together to feed hope, health, and opportunity...because everyone deserves to eat.

SECU Family House - Join our service-learning program | At the Family House, we are grateful for the support of kids, teens (including Crosby Scholars), and college students! We’re always excited to host this summer service-learning opportunity for students to serve in a variety of ways around the house, visit a local hospital, learn about community resources, and see the Family House behind the scenes.

Senior Services - Support older adults in Forsyth County | Senior Services’ mission is to help older adults remain at home for as long as possible and to help them live with dignity. With concern for those who care for senior adults, we also help caregivers through services and education that will benefit them. You can make a difference in a senior's life by giving a little bit of your time.

The Shalom Project - Help us create equitable community | The Shalom Project runs programs that challenge the cycle of poverty in our community with a spirit of inclusion, compassion, and justice. We aim to create opportunities to build genuine and meaningful relationships amongst all in our community. You could set up and distribute the food in our pantry, sort clothing donations, serve a meal to our Flourish participants, get involved with our medical clinic, assist with fundraising events, and so much more!

Wake Forest University Campus Garden - Volunteer to plant and harvest | The Campus Garden is an educational space used to educate students and community members about regenerative agriculture and climate solutions. The food that is grown is donated to Campus Kitchen. In the summer, we are always looking for more volunteers! Volunteers will work alongside Sarah Rodgers (outdoor learning spaces coordinator) and other volunteers to steward the garden. We do everything from planting to harvesting and other tasks in between, which usually means weeding or working on a garden project. We also have chickens, so sometimes we clean the coop!
- Email Sarah Rodgers Rodgers@wfu.edu to schedule a time to volunteer!

Winston-Salem Rescue Mission - Join one of our outreach opportunities | It’s amazing what can happen when we work together for the good of our community! We have identified several volunteer jobs that will assist us as we maintain a safe environment to our residents in our programs: prepare meals, make goodie bags, sort canned food to stock our pantry, assist with various tasks in our thrift store, and so much more!

Trellis Supportive Care - Support the KBR Hospice Home | There are many ways to volunteer with Trellis Supportive Care, North Carolina's original hospice and palliative care provider, from providing support to patients and their families to directing traffic at a fundraising event. We invite you to join us in serving our community through the use of your time and talents.

Virtual & At-Home Opportunities

Crosby Cares for Kids - Create a babysitting care plan and implement it | Crosby Cares for Kids is an initiative to encourage Crosby Scholars to go beyond babysitting and help in the early childhood development of children in our community. Crosby Scholars can care for children ages 10 and under. (Since this is a volunteer opportunity, students should not be paid for this activity.)

H.O.P.E. of Winston-Salem - Volunteer to bake healthy treats | H.O.P.E. of Winston-Salem works at the intersection of children’s health and food insecurity. Volunteer baking is a job you can do whenever it suits you – you just bake according to directions, cut, and wrap (or bag) the squares (or mini muffins) and freeze. For allergy safety purposes, we do require that bakers stick to the recipes listed on the website linked above.

Love for Our Elders - Write a letter to brighten an elder's day! | Everyone deserves a mailbox full of love letters, and we’re on a mission to make that happen– we’ve sent more than 1 million letters of love around the world. So take a few minutes, sit down, and write a letter. Tell them about yourself, maybe share a joke or a riddle and let them know that they are loved.

Newborns in Need - Create booties, toys and blankets for newborns | At Newborns in Need, we provide basic essentials every newborn deserves. We are collecting hand-sewn and hand-knitted booties, toys, and blankets. If you would like to volunteer to create handmade items for newborns, contact Connie Edwards at cedwards@newbornsinneed.org .