Name: Ben Neiconi
Classification: Graduate
Major: Sport Management
Hometown: Rock Hill, South Carolina
Primary Volunteering Site: A Hand Up
What makes the Close Scholars Program special to you?
Close Scholars helps strengthen a passion of mine: serving. From as far as I could remember, my personality has always been centered around helping others. With Close Scholars, I am able to be encouraged by others and the community to continue my path of serving, loving and caring for those in both fortunate and unfortunate positions.
What do you love about the Close Scholars Program?
Through my experience with Close Scholars, I have created, strengthened and sought new relationships and opportunities. The vast arrangement of pathways and open doors that reveal themselves through the Close Scholarship Program is something unimaginable. From friends to mentors to teachers to leaders, I have curated so many new connections with people within my area and community.
Why should incoming first-year students apply to the Close Scholars Program?
Caring for others is something this generation needs to learn. There are so many things that separate people from each other. But the one similarity we all have is that we are all humans with needs. Your strength may be someone else's weakness. It is our job as a generation, country, state and city to help those in need; going above and beyond the purpose of life is something we should all strive for. And that is exactly what the Close Scholarship Program provides: opportunities and chances for you to make a difference.
As a servant leader, what advice do you have for Winthrop students in general?
Love and care for one another. Do not focus only on what separates you from others; rather, take every chance you can to help those that need it most. Once you create a setting of peace and unity, schooling, relationships, extracurricular activities and anything else you partake in will go better than ever before.
What has been your favorite community service experience and why?
My favorite memory while partaking in community service is when I was able to coach a youth girls soccer team at a league in town. The relationships I built with the team, parents and assistant coaches are memories I will never forget. In the near future, I hope to continue coaching and creating more friendships along the way.
Fun Fact :-)
I can play five instruments.
Favorite Book
"The Practice of Godliness" by Jerry Bridges
Favorite Performer
Luke Combs
Favorite Hobby
Anything outdoors; sports, hiking, tanning, swimming, you name it.