Tuesday, Jul. 07, 2009

NASCAR pioneer Wheeler gets teen on track to college

It took a while, but Angela Padilla-Ramírez finally said yes to Humpy Wheeler.

The North Mecklenburg High graduate said she needed time to think about the NASCAR pioneer's offer to help her get a scholarship to Belmont Abbey College, where he is on the board of trustees.

Angela thought maybe Wheeler, former president of Lowe's Motor Speedway, made a mistake. Did he really want to help her? With so many needy kids out there, she wondered whether she should step aside.

“I didn't feel that deserving,” Angela said. “I wasn't really sure. I don't know. I see other people in everyday life doing spectacular things. And I think someone else could have gotten this opportunity.”

Wheeler offered to help Angela, 18, after reading an Observer story on her postponing college to help her mother and newborn sister while her stepfather is deployed in Afghanistan. Wheeler told her she could do both.

Wheeler said he was delighted to hear that she had accepted the scholarship. After getting to know her over the last couple of weeks, he said he has no doubts she will make the most of the opportunity.

“The one thing about Angela is that she has proven and showed that she doesn't mind working,” Wheeler said. “She's going to school, she's working, and she's helping her mother.”

Belmont Abbey College is a private four-year school just west of Charlotte in Belmont. It has about 1,500 students.

Last month, school president William Thierfelder offered Angela a four-year commuter scholarship, which would allow her to attend classes for free, live at home and keep her part-time job at Presbyterian Hospital. The scholarship is worth $88,000.

Wheeler pretty much grew up on campus. His father taught and coached at the school for 38 years and would sometimes make Wheeler sweep the basketball court and line the baseball fields. His two daughters graduated from the school.

“I think the Abbey creates an environment that helps these kids prepare themselves for whatever they're going to run into in life, good and bad,” he said. “It's a very nurturing environment over there.”

In a note to Wheeler, Angela's mother, Zurmarie Ramírez, said the family will be “forever grateful for your priceless gift and for offering a helping hand when needed the most.”

“He is our angel,” she said.

Angela said she has spoken to several of her teachers and the assistant school principal. They all had great things to say about the local college.

One of Angela's best friends is also planning to attend Belmont Abbey. The two are making plans and seeing if they can take some classes together.

Angela has dreamed about being a criminal profiler or forensic psychiatrist. So she's thinking of majoring in criminal justice. But she hasn't counted out a class in motorsports management – a program Wheeler started in 2004.

“It could be interesting,” she said. “I could drive the car, but I'm not fixing it.”

Wheeler says Angela's first year will be rigorous, and he plans to stay in touch.

“I know what the freshman year is like,” he said.

“Basically her stepfather will be gone in Afghanistan and her mother will be preoccupied with the baby. My wife and I will give her all the moral support that we can.”

Franco Ordoñez: 704-358-6180

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