TOP OF THE CLASS Is Looking for College Students Ready to Compete for a Full-Ride Scholarship
·Al Mega
Hosted by entrepreneur Jon VerLee, Noble Story Co.’s new reality competition is flipping the usual formula by testing grit, endurance and integrity instead of rewarding backstabbing and manufactured drama.
Reality competition shows usually give contestants a pretty simple assignment: survive the chaos, outplay everybody else and do whatever it takes to get that prize.
TOP OF THE CLASS wants to try something different.
Noble Story Co. has officially opened applications for the upcoming first season of TOP OF THE CLASS, a new competition reality series hosted and designed by entrepreneur Jon VerLee. College students will compete in a series of challenges built to test endurance, grit, sacrifice, character and integrity, with the winner earning a full-ride scholarship to their current school worth up to $100,000.
That right there changes the stakes considerably. This is not somebody battling for bragging rights, a trophy and fifteen minutes on television. For the student who comes out on top, the prize could reshape what the rest of their college experience looks like and remove a massive chunk of financial pressure from their future.
The concept behind TOP OF THE CLASS is also intentionally pushing against some familiar reality TV habits. Instead of building a competition around manipulation, betrayal and figuring out who can throw somebody under the bus first, the series wants contestants to prove they can compete hard without leaving their values at the door.
“We want the next generation to raise its expectations, not only for what they can accomplish, but for the kind of people they can become,” VerLee said. “Ambition and integrity shouldn’t be competing values. We want students to pursue both.”
That’s a pretty refreshing idea. There is nothing wrong with wanting to win. Competition should get heated. People should get pushed outside their comfort zones. But TOP OF THE CLASS is asking a much more interesting question: what happens when winning isn’t enough and how you get there matters too?
Contestants will face high-pressure challenges designed to stretch them physically, mentally and emotionally while putting their decision-making and character under the microscope. Only one contestant can ultimately reach the top, but every student selected to participate will receive at least a $1,000 scholarship.
WATCH THE TOP OF THE CLASS PILOT
Applications are open to current college students age 18 or older who are U.S. citizens living in the lower 48 states. Students already receiving a full-tuition scholarship are not eligible, but students receiving other forms of financial aid may still apply.
Selected contestants must be available to compete on camera in Grand Rapids, Michigan, from October 10 through October 18, 2026. Travel and lodging expenses will be covered for contestants selected for the show, taking another major barrier off the table for students coming in from outside Michigan.
The application itself starts pretty simply. Students provide basic information, details about their financial background and a headshot. Applicants chosen for the next stage will receive a callback, followed by a video audition and additional paperwork before the finalists are selected.
So yeah, if you’re sitting on campus complaining that reality television never celebrates the people actually trying to do something positive with their lives, here’s your shot.
Just understand what you’re signing up for. TOP OF THE CLASS isn’t looking for somebody who can simply talk a good game. The whole point is finding students who can perform when the pressure hits while showing the kind of character other young people can actually look up to.
No pressure, right?
Who Is Jon VerLee?
Jon VerLee is the founder of Startup Garage and Entrepreneur in Residence at Calvin University. A longtime entrepreneur and former youth pastor, VerLee has founded and led multiple technology companies serving churches, nonprofits and small businesses.
His work bringing together entrepreneurship, leadership and purpose ultimately helped inspire Startup Garage, where students can explore potential career paths, develop entrepreneurial skills and turn ideas into real-world ventures. With TOP OF THE CLASS, VerLee is taking that interest in developing the next generation and putting it on a considerably bigger stage.
About Noble Story Co.
Noble Story Co. is an independent film studio based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, focused on creating films and series built around stories the company describes as celebrating goodness, truth and beauty.
TOP OF THE CLASS continues that mission by taking a familiar reality competition format and asking whether television can create people worth rooting for instead of just personalities worth arguing about online.
College students interested in competing can learn more and begin the application process now at:
For additional information about Noble Story Co., visit NobleStoryCo.com.
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