A South Plains College Student, made his dreams come true, after he won $100,000 in college tuition from the national Dr. Pepper Tuition Giveaway.
Bryce McWhirter wanted to get an education, but did not want to put a financial burden on his parents. He dreamed of someday attending Baylor University to finish his education, but with three siblings, he worried it would be too expensive.
“My siblings are really close in age, so that was a whole financial burden for my parents, paying for all that college at one time,” said McWhirter.
While at SPC, McWhirter discovered the Dr. Pepper Tuition Giveaway and decided to apply. The application process included making a video about why the applicant was most deserving.
“My inspiration was really just telling my message in the best way possible,” he said.
After about three weeks of checking his email daily, he wondered if this opportunity was in the cards for him. One day he received a phone call.
Emotional, McWhirter could not believe the news. “Just letting you know, we are choosing you as one of our finalists and we are taking you to North Carolina,” is what McWhirter heard over the phone.
McWhirter spent 11 days training, up until the day of the event at the ACC College Football Championship. McWhirter competed against other finalists in a half time football throwing competition during half-time. Whoever put the most footballs into an oversized Dr. Pepper can, would win the $100,000 tuition. Bryce won.
“If I were to not have practiced, I don’t think I would end up with this,” he said. “I did the best I could with the practice I had… It was so surreal.”
Bryce will attend Baylor University starting in January.
