Dr. Ron Thomas Award

Dr. Thomas established the Middle Years Program at MPHS in 1994, which was the first in the state of North Carolina. He also established Myers Park as the first public high school to offer the Diploma Program, which he proudly led until his retirement in 2019. Dr. Thomas was highly regarded by fellow IB coordinators and loved serving students who were passionate about the world.

Students in the IB Diploma Programme are invited to apply for the Dr. Ron Thomas Award in late winter of their junior year.

2025-2026 Application Schedule

• Applications open: Monday, March 2 (application is available in Managebac)

• Applications due: Friday, April 17

• Interviews for a selected group of students: May 21

• Winner announced: May 22

*Note: In prior years, this award has been given in the form of a scholarship to a senior enrolled in the Diploma Program. This year, a non-monetary award will be presented to a DP junior.

You must answer both essay prompts. Both essay prompts should be 500 words or less. 

- The IB programme encourages students to be globally aware. Please tell us about a time or experience when you were thinking or acting globally and which IB learner profile traits you feel you embodied when you did this. 

- Taking a risk while knowing that you might not succeed is an essential part of the human condition. Discuss a risk that you have taken and what you learned from the experience.