Seventeen-year-old Nnenaya Bedminster, a native of the Virgin Islands, has been selected as a Posse Foundation Scholar, earning a full-tuition leadership scholarship to the College of William & Mary through one of the most competitive academic programs in the country.
The Posse Foundation identifies, recruits, and trains students with exceptional leadership potential. Posse Scholars are awarded full-tuition scholarships by one of the organization’s prestigious partner colleges and universities. The foundation’s model is based on the belief that a small, diverse group of talented students—a “Posse”—can support one another and act as catalysts for personal and collective success within their college communities.
Bedminster’s journey to becoming a Posse Scholar began when she was nominated by her high school counselor at the start of the 2024-2025 school year. What followed was a rigorous, four-month Dynamic Assessment Process (DAP), designed to evaluate candidates in nontraditional ways. The selection process includes group and individual interviews, offering students an opportunity to demonstrate intrinsic leadership skills, teamwork, motivation, and drive.
Ultimately, only 10 students are selected per partner institution. In December 2024, Bedminster earned one of those coveted spots, rising above thousands of applicants to secure a full, four-year academic scholarship to William & Mary. The numbers are staggering: while 17,000 students are nominated nationwide each year, fewer than 650 are chosen.
“I am extremely proud of what I’ve accomplished and grateful for this incredible opportunity,” Bedminster shared.
Born and raised in St. Croix, Bedminster moved to Virginia before her sophomore year and continued to excel both academically and through extracurricular leadership. Her long list of achievements includes:
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Citizenship Award Winner
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National Honor Society Inductee
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Key Club Inductee
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Hanover Scholar
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PH Step Captain
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All-Star Basketball Peer Coach
Bedminster will begin her studies in Biology this fall at The College of William & Mary. Her family and friends have expressed deep pride in her accomplishments and excitement for what lies ahead in her academic and leadership journey.
British Caribbean News