School books close once and for all. Students are abuzz with summer break anxiety. It’s the time of year that students look forward to. Senior Corey Cole is awaiting summer just like other students except she has a major decision to make before she can relax in the sun. Cole must decide where she is going to college and whether or not she will go to Tulane University, where she was awarded a full-ride scholarship.

After three months, Cole received the awaited envelope late February that contained the university’s decision to award her the Dean’s Honor Scholarship.

“I was so excited,” Cole said. “My mom wasn’t home so my dad video taped my reaction. I kinda knew I got it because of the size of the package. It was big.”

One of only 75 people to receive full ride scholarships from Tulane, Cole created a project that began with an eight by eight centimeter box. The university gave the candidates just this box with requirements to change it into something “creative.” Cole manipulated an idea she originally had for the Siren, and changed it to qualify for the scholarship.

“I drew a face on the box that had x’s for a face and said it died in a fictional printer accident,” Cole said referring to her idea. “The box had an online memoir on a website I created talking about its life story, all the while educating people for free on recycling and the environment.”

Cole started this project around Thanksgiving of 2013. This project accomplished more than just educating people; it has also awarded Cole a spot in the class of 2018 at Tulane University.