Beyond the Game: Fountain City Classic Invests in Education, Opportunity and the Future of Students

Follow the Courier Eco Latino Newspaper as we share the inspiring stories of four Fountain City Classic scholarship recipients and explore how the Classic continues to make a difference beyond the game.

Jaden DuBose -Investing in Education, Inspiring a Future of Service and Giving Back

For Jaden DuBose, receiving a Fountain City Classic Scholarship represents far more than financial assistance. It is a powerful reminder that an entire community believes in his potential, supports his dreams and is investing in the next generation of leaders.

A proud product of the Phenix City area, DuBose aspires to become a general dentist, establish his own private practice and use his success to make dental care more accessible to underserved individuals and families. He also hopes to establish a scholarship fund to support students who are still discovering their academic and career paths.

In this installment of the Courier Eco Latino's Fountain City Classic Scholarship Spotlight, DuBose reflects on the importance of community investment, overcoming self-doubt and his determination to one day extend the same opportunities to others.

Q: What does receiving a Fountain City Classic Scholarship mean to you personally, and how has this financial support impacted your educational journey?

Jaden DuBose: Receiving a Fountain City Classic Scholarship means knowing that an entire community of people, whether I know them personally or not, cares about my future and the futures of an entire generation of young people.

I wholeheartedly believe education is one of the most important tools we have to create a better world. This scholarship reminds me that I have a village of people who understand the value of education and believe in my ability to succeed.

That support inspires me to continue my academic journey with the hope that one day I can give back to the community and invest in the next generation, just as others have invested in me.

Financially, this scholarship has allowed me to focus more on my education without constantly worrying about fees, deadlines and other expenses. Financial concerns can sometimes become distractions, but this assistance has helped me keep my attention where it belongs — on my schoolwork and academic success.

Q: What challenges have you faced while pursuing your college education, and how has this scholarship helped you overcome those obstacles?

DuBose: One of my greatest challenges has been learning not to compare my journey to someone else's.

There were times when I would look at what others were accomplishing and question whether I was falling behind or working hard enough. I sometimes felt as though I should be further along in life.

Receiving this scholarship helped change that perspective.

It wasn't necessarily the financial assistance that made the difference. It was the recognition and the opportunity to hear about the accomplishments, goals and aspirations of other scholarship recipients.

Seeing so many young people pursuing different dreams reminded me that everyone has a unique path. Their success didn't diminish mine. Instead, it inspired me to recognize the value of my own journey.

I've learned that I don't have to measure my progress against anyone else's accomplishments. My path belongs to me, and I have the freedom to walk it at my own pace.

That realization has helped me develop greater confidence in myself and my future.

Q: What are your career goals and aspirations, and how do you hope to use your education to make a positive difference in your community?

DuBose: My ultimate career goal is to become a general dentist and eventually open my own private practice.

However, my aspirations extend beyond establishing a successful career. I want to use my education and financial success to create opportunities for others.

One of my biggest dreams is to establish a scholarship fund specifically for students who may not have everything figured out yet.

I know many students become discouraged when they see their peers who already know exactly what they want to study or what career they intend to pursue. I don't believe students should miss out on financial assistance simply because they are still discovering their purpose.

If a student has demonstrated a commitment to education and has the desire to attend college, I believe that student deserves support and encouragement.

I also want to make a difference by providing affordable dental care to people who need it most.

I've witnessed individuals leave dental offices without receiving necessary treatment because they simply couldn't afford the procedures. It's heartbreaking to know someone needs care that could improve their health but cannot receive it because of financial limitations.

My hope is to eventually be in a financial position where I can provide necessary dental treatment to patients facing those circumstances without placing an additional financial burden on them.

To me, success isn't just about what I accomplish for myself. It's about how many people I can help along the way.

Q: If you could speak directly to the Fountain City Classic organizers, sponsors and supporters who make these scholarships possible, what would you want them to know about the difference their investment is making in your life?

DuBose: First and foremost, I would simply say thank you.

I would want them to understand that their investment has made a lasting difference in my life, one that I believe I will remember throughout my professional career.

The Fountain City Classic Scholarship was one of the first scholarships I received to support my college education. In many ways, it helped open the door to higher education — or at least made that door a little easier to push open.

That means more to me than I can fully express.

I would also want them to know that I'm already learning so much, not only academically but personally.

College is about more than earning a degree. It's also about discovering who you are, understanding your potential and developing the confidence to pursue the future you envision for yourself.

Their support is helping me experience that growth.

I hope they recognize that when they invest in a student, they are investing in much more than a college education. They are helping shape the person that student will become and the impact that person may eventually have on the world.

Q: Beyond the financial assistance, what does it mean to know that an entire community believes in your potential and is investing in your future?

DuBose: It means the world to me.

Knowing that an entire community believes in my potential and is willing to invest in my future gives me an incredible sense of pride, responsibility and motivation.

It makes me especially proud to be from Phenix City and the surrounding area, where so many people are committed to supporting young people and helping them succeed.

As a Black man, it is also empowering to know that so many African Americans are standing behind me, encouraging me and helping create opportunities that will continue to uplift our community and culture.

That kind of support is something I will never take for granted.

Most importantly, it makes me excited about the day when I will be in a position to give back.

I look forward to seeing the seeds our community is planting today grow into something greater tomorrow. I want to be part of that cycle of encouragement, opportunity and success.

Just as someone believed in me, I want to be able to believe in someone else and help them achieve their dreams.

A Legacy of Giving Back

For DuBose, the Fountain City Classic Scholarship is more than an investment in his education. It is an investment in a future dentist, a potential scholarship founder and a young man determined to use his success to improve the lives of others.

His story reflects the broader mission of the Fountain City Classic: removing financial barriers, encouraging academic excellence and creating opportunities for young people to pursue their dreams.

And perhaps the most powerful part of his journey is the lesson he has already embraced: The true measure of an investment in education is not simply what a student achieves, but what that student eventually gives back.

For Jaden DuBose, the goal is clear. The community has invested in him, and one day, he intends to return that investment by opening doors for others.

 Sidne Malone: Turning Community Support Into a Commitment to Excellence

For Fountain City Classic scholarship recipient Sidne Malone, receiving financial assistance represents more than help with college tuition. It is a reminder that her community believes in her potential, supports her dreams and expects her to make the most of every opportunity. With aspirations of becoming a Judge Advocate General in the U.S. Army, Malone is determined to turn that investment into a future of service, leadership and academic achievement.

Q: What does receiving a Fountain City Classic Scholarship mean to you personally, and how has this financial support impacted your educational journey?

Sidne Malone: Receiving a Fountain City Classic Scholarship has truly been an honor. Being recognized by such a respected organization reminds me every day that I have an entire community of supporters back home who believe in me and are cheering for my success.

This scholarship means so much more than financial assistance. It represents the confidence others have placed in my abilities and my future. It has also helped relieve some of the financial burden on my family, allowing me to focus more on my education and the goals I have set for myself.

Knowing that people back home are investing in my future motivates me to work harder, remain focused and make them proud.

Q: What challenges have you faced while pursuing your college education, and how has this scholarship helped you overcome those obstacles?

Sidne Malone: One of my biggest challenges at the beginning of the school year was dealing with the guilt of knowing how much money my family had to contribute toward my college education. I understood the sacrifices they were making, and I didn't want to become a financial burden.

When I received the Fountain City Classic Scholarship, it brought me a tremendous sense of relief. Watching my tuition balance decrease lifted a weight off my shoulders.

More importantly, it reminded me that all the hard work, dedication and sacrifices I made throughout high school were paying off. It gave me a greater sense of confidence in myself and reassured me that my efforts had not gone unnoticed.

The scholarship has allowed me to move forward with greater peace of mind, knowing that I am not pursuing my dreams alone.

Q: What are your career goals and aspirations, and how do you hope to use your education to make a difference in your community?

Sidne Malone: My ultimate career goal is to become a Judge Advocate General in the United States Army, serving my country through the military legal profession.

Every day, I challenge myself to maintain a high GPA, push beyond my comfort zone and give my very best academically. I understand that achieving my goals will require discipline, determination and a willingness to go beyond what is expected of me.

One of my greatest aspirations is to graduate, return home and become an example for future Fountain City Classic scholarship recipients.

I want young people to see that the hard work they put into their education during high school can open doors to incredible opportunities in college and beyond.

If my journey can inspire even one student to stay focused, believe in themselves and never give up on their dreams, then I will know that I have made a difference.

Q: What message would you like to share with the Fountain City Classic organizers, sponsors and community members who make these scholarships possible?

Sidne Malone: To the Fountain City Classic organizers, sponsors and everyone who supports this scholarship program, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude.

Thank you for believing in me and in all the other scholarship recipients. Thank you for going out of your way to provide opportunities that make such a meaningful difference in our lives.

Your generosity does not go unnoticed, and the impact you are making will always be remembered.

You are doing more than helping students pay for college. You are encouraging us to believe in ourselves, pursue our dreams and become the best versions of ourselves.

I am truly grateful for everything you do, and I hope that my future accomplishments will reflect the faith you have placed in me.

Q: How does knowing that an entire community is supporting your educational journey influence your determination to succeed?

Sidne Malone: Knowing that I have an entire community rooting for me is one of the greatest sources of motivation in my life.

It reminds me every day that I have people who genuinely care about my future and want to see me succeed. Their support encourages me to give my best effort, even when things become difficult.

It also reminds me that I have a support system I can turn to whenever I need encouragement, guidance or assistance.

Most importantly, it teaches me the importance of perseverance. No matter what challenges I may face, I know I cannot give up.

I want to make my family, my community and everyone associated with the Fountain City Classic proud. Their investment in me is something I will never take for granted.

For Sidne Malone, the Fountain City Classic Scholarship is more than a financial award. It is a vote of confidence, a source of encouragement and a lasting reminder that when a community invests in its young people, it helps build the leaders of tomorrow.

Bryant Hightower

Q: What does receiving a Fountain City Classic Scholarship mean to you personally, and how has this financial support impacted your educational journey? 

Bryant Hightower: The Fountain City Classic Scholarship means that the committee has great hope in what my education will allow me to accomplish on behalf of my community in the future. In terms of financial support, this scholarship has allowed me to not have any worries about having to work or having to take on debt to obtain my degree. Scholarships such as these also make me more motivated to do my best instead of slacking off remembering that I am representing more than myself.  

Q: What challenges have you faced while pursuing your college education, and how has this scholarship helped you overcome some of those obstacles? 

Hightower: Most of the challenge for me was just finding a way to secure a debt free degree in my desired field to put my family and future business in a great financial situation. This scholarship, along with others, has allowed me to completely overcome financial obstacles and do my best as a student. 

Q: What are your career goals and aspirations, and how do you hope to use your education to make a positive difference in your community? 

Hightower: My career goals, though ambitious, include obtaining a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Auburn, while minoring in Business engineering technology, with a possibility to obtain either a master's degree in civil engineering, or a master's in business administration, or even both. Beyond that I plan to use that knowledge of business I gain to help co-launch an engineering firm with my best friend and roommate Amaree who is pursing the same degree I am. My ultimate wish is to complete work that contributes to a bridge. The concept that I love about civil engineering is that civil engineering requires that you understand and can communicate with your community to see their needs and wants in specific projects.  

Q: If you had the opportunity to speak directly to the Fountain City Classic organizers, sponsors and supporters who make these scholarships possible, what would you want them to know about the difference their investment is making in your life? 

Hightower: Your collective contribution to investing in students like me means the world to me, and I could not be more thankful for your kindness. The combined effort has allowed me to attack my degree plan with confidence that people other than my family are rooting for my success. Not having to deal with financial stress is in part due to this organization, and I again couldn't be more thankful for the freedom they have provided me to enjoy my years of college education while looking forward to using what I learn to breathe life back into my community.  

Q: Beyond the financial assistance, what does it mean to know that an entire community believes in your potential and is investing in your future?  

Hightower: It just goes to show that all those times that I doubted myself, God was with me through it all with a plan to support me and my future endeavors. God wanted to show me that it truly takes a village of people, called upon by him, to pour into an individual like myself, to help me fulfill the plans God has for me.