When Gloria Jenkins, Class of 2026, first stepped onto the campus of Benedictine College during a pro-life pilgrimage her freshman year, she felt something she still struggles to put into words. It felt like home.
Last week, that sense of belonging became official.
WHY BENEDICTINE COLLEGE AND THE FREEDOM FELLOWS PROGRAM?
Gloria has been named one of just six incoming freshmen selected nationwide for the prestigious Freedom Fellows Program at Benedictine College. The highly competitive program awards a full-tuition scholarship and forms a tight-knit cohort of student leaders committed to faith, service, and building a more humane and just world.
Designed to prepare students who “yearn to provide a voice for others,” the Freedom Fellows Program seeks young leaders devoted to the equal dignity of every person. Fellows receive intentional mentorship from program directors, engage in high-impact learning experiences such as capstone projects and service-learning initiatives, and form deep bonds within their cohort as they transition into college life. The program also prioritizes students who demonstrate a meaningful commitment to serving those impacted by low socioeconomic status, something that deeply resonated with Gloria from the beginning.
“The service aspect is what caught my eye. I’ve always felt strongly about serving others.”
That heart for service has been evident throughout her time at Knoxville Catholic. Gloria has spent the past four years serving as a teacher’s assistant for second graders at St. John Neumann’s Sunday School, where she first discovered her passion for elementary education. She now plans to study elementary education at Benedictine, with the hope of shaping young hearts and minds in the same way her mentors have shaped hers.
Her commitment to serving others extends well beyond the classroom. During her Freedom Fellows interview, when asked about her current goals, Gloria confidently shared that she is working toward completing 400 hours of service by the end of her senior year at Catholic, a goal that reflects not only her dedication but her joyful drive to give back.
THE PATH TO HER FUTURE
The path to this moment was anything but predictable.
After submitting her Freedom Fellows application in October, months passed without news. Gloria began exploring other options, including ETSU, while quietly holding onto hope. Then in January, everything changed. An email arrived inviting her to the second round of interviews…in person.
There was just one catch: she had never flown before.
Before she knew it, Gloria was boarding a plane alone, navigating the unknown with courage. She laughs now as she recalls what she calls her “guardian angel moment”, the stranger seated beside her who, after hearing her story, insisted on helping her navigate the Atlanta airport to ensure she made it safely to her gate.
The interview experience itself only deepened her conviction that Benedictine was where she was meant to be. “It just felt like home,” she said.
Earlier this week, the call finally came: she had been accepted.
Back at school, her religion classmates and her sister Genevieve, also a member of the Class of 2026, planned a surprise celebration in the front office to mark the moment. It was a joyful reminder of the strong community that has surrounded her throughout her journey.
Family has always been at the center of Gloria’s story. Her older sister and KCHS alumna, Georgia ’24, is already thriving at Benedictine, studying exercise science. The sisters are thrilled to now share the college experience together. Meanwhile, Genevieve is preparing for her own next chapter after earning an incredible, all-expenses-paid scholarship to attend the University of Pennsylvania this fall. The Jenkins sisters are immensely proud of one another and quick to celebrate each other’s accomplishments.
Gloria credits her parents as her greatest source of strength.
“This opportunity wouldn’t have been made possible without my mother and father. My mother is like our family’s guide, always pushing me forward and encouraging me through the highs and lows. She’s always there for me. Then there’s my dad, the backbone of our family. He is the ultimate provider, working two jobs but he still makes time to call me everyday in between shifts to check in to see how my day is going and if there is anything he can do to support me.”
WHAT KNOXVILLE CATHOLIC HAS MEANT TO HER
She also speaks with deep gratitude about the mentors who shaped her at Catholic. Mrs. Punch, Vice President of Admissions and Advancement, has been a formative influence through the Irish Ambassador program, where Gloria has served since her sophomore year. Under Mrs. Punch’s leadership, she learned not only how to lead, but how to lead with joy, integrity, and authenticity. “She’s like a second mom,” Gloria says, recalling everything from college advice to car rescue missions to celebratory phone calls.
Mrs. Punch has been thrilled to watch Gloria grow and develop at Knoxville Catholic.
“Gloria has inspired me in ways words can’t fully capture. What sets her apart is not just her kindness, but the consistency of it. She embraces everyone, carries herself with deep faith, and approaches each day with intentional joy. Gloria’s love for others doesn’t just stand out, it’s contagious. It strengthens and inspires an entire community. It comes as no surprise to me that she has been awarded a full scholarship to Benedictine College for the Freedom Fellows Program. ”
Her school counselor, Mrs. Kirk, walked beside her every step of the college search process, beginning sophomore year when Gloria admits she had “no idea where to start.” From calming nerves to organizing interviews, including that pivotal first Freedom Fellows conversation, Mrs. Kirk helped transform uncertainty into confidence.
“Gloria could not be more deserving of this acknowledgement of her hard work, integrity, faith, and commitment to her future. Her dedication to her faith is nothing less than inspirational. As a recipient of the Freedom Fellows Scholarship, she will serve as a wonderful example of the character that Benedictine College strives to form. I’m so proud of her.”
Melinda Kirk, School Counselor
For Gloria, Knoxville Catholic has been far more than a place of academic preparation. It has cultivated her love of learning, deepened her faith, strengthened her leadership, and surrounded her with a community that believes in her potential.
Now, as she prepares to join a cohort of six Freedom Fellows in Atchison, Kansas, she carries with her not only a full-tuition scholarship, but a heart formed by service, a faith strengthened by community, and a calling to educate the next generation.
What began with a freshman-year visit has come full circle.
And for Gloria Jenkins, this is only the beginning.
READY TO TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP TOWARD SCHOLARSHIP SUCCESS?
At KCHS, our counseling team walks with students through every step of the scholarship and college application process, from your first questions to your final applications.
Here’s how students can get started:
- Read the Friday Scholarship Email
Every week, Mrs. Lori Kinney sends out a scholarship roundup full of opportunities. Make it a habit to check and apply. - Talk With Your Counselor Early and Often
Juniors can ask about scholarships and planning strategies during their annual meetings.
Seniors work one-on-one with counselors to navigate applications and make sure nothing is overlooked. - Treat Scholarship Applications Like a Part-Time Job
Start early, set weekly goals, and apply consistently. - Use Every Available Resource
From our counselors to online search tools to local and niche scholarships—cast a wide net! - Complete the FAFSA
It’s essential for unlocking financial aid. Treat it as a year-round priority to reduce future debt and stress. - Attend Our “Paying for College Nights“
We host two sessions each year:
– Fall: For senior parents
– Spring: For parents of 9th–11th graders
Save the date: March 17, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the St. Gregory the Great Auditorium.
These events are invaluable opportunities to learn, ask questions, and feel confident about planning for the future.
