On Monday, we asked our VCS family to do something.
Don't just think about the stories we've shared throughout the BelieVe. GiVe. NeVer Quit. Employee Giving Campaign. Think about the ones we haven't written yet. The students, teachers, employees, graduates and families we've featured over the past month represent only a small handful of the MANY stories of VCS Foundation impact. Here's one more.
Meet Malcolm Thomas, Valdosta High School Class of 2025.
A Head Start at VHS
Malcolm graduated from Valdosta High School in 2025 with more than his high school diploma. College credits earned while still at VHS allowed him to enter Georgia Southern University with sophomore standing. Malcolm also received scholarship support through the VCS Foundation as he prepared for his next chapter.
And he's made the most of that head start. Today, Malcolm is a student in the Georgia Southern University Honors College, pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting.
During his first year at Georgia Southern, Malcolm maintained a 4.0 GPA while averaging five to six classes each semester, earning President's List recognition.
His college experience has extended well beyond the classroom. Malcolm was selected to serve as a Resident Advisor, giving him the opportunity to take on a leadership role and support other students within his campus community.
In February 2026, he was inducted into the Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society in recognition of his academic achievement.
And the college credits Malcolm began earning before he ever left VHS continue to make a difference. After completing his first year on campus, he entered his second year with junior standing.
Already Looking Ahead
Malcolm isn't stopping there. As he continues working toward his Accounting degree, he's already looking for a summer opportunity related to his field where he can begin gaining professional experience.
A VHS Class of 2025 graduate. A VCS Foundation scholarship recipient. A Georgia Southern University Honors College student. A 4.0 student. A Resident Advisor. A Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society member. And a junior in only his second year of college.
His proud parents, Jeremy and Shannon Thomas, shared:
“We are incredibly proud of all Malcolm has accomplished and grateful for the teachers, opportunities and scholarship support that helped prepare him for what came next.”
There Are More Stories
Malcolm wasn't part of our original campaign schedule. And that's exactly the point. These stories are everywhere. We simply haven't told them all yet. There are more students taking what began in VCS classrooms and turning it into something extraordinary. More teachers with ideas. More employees pursuing their own education. More graduates discovering where their next chapter will take them. We may not know all of their names today.
But we can help make their stories possible.
The BelieVe. GiVe. NeVer Quit. Employee Giving Campaign ends tomorrow, Wednesday, September 30.
There's still time to become part of what happens next.
💛 Monthly Payroll Deduction: Make your monthly pledge
🖤 One-Time Gift: Make a one-time gift
Don't just think about the stories we've written. Think about the ones still to come.
BelieVe. GiVe. NeVer Quit.