A total of $7,125 in scholarships has been awarded among 15 students at BRTC through the Mary Sallee Single Parent Scholarship (MSSPS) fund for the Spring 2014 Semester. Valorie Anderson of Imboden, Brandi Beckman and Joshua L. Jenkins of Maynard, and Lacy Wheeless, Mily Ball, Elizabeth Loyd, Monica Parsons, Amber Wolf, Melaina Bailey, Angela Emmett, Stephanie Searcy and Amy Thielemier of Pocahontas, were each awarded $500; Ashley Hamilton of Pocahontas was awarded $450, Holly Beegle (not pictured) of Pocahontas was awarded $375, and Amanda Rowe of Maynard was awarded $300.
Anderson is a graduate of Oak Ridge Central High School and is in the nursing program at ASU-Newport, with plans to become an RN. Beckman is a 2012 graduate of Maynard High School and is working towards an AA degree at BRTC then plans to transfer to ASU for a degree in Medical Diagnostic Sonography. Jenkins is a 2002 graduate of Walnut Ridge High School. He is retired from the US Army and is pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice at BRTC. Wheeless is a 2009 graduate of Pocahontas High School and is pursuing a Dietetics degree at BRTC Ball is a 1996 graduate of Oak Ridge Central High School and is currently pursuing an AA degree at BRTC with plans to pursue an education in Social Work.
Loyd is a 2011 graduate of Pocahontas High School and is currently working to complete prerequisites for the Respiratory Care program at BRTC. Parsons earned a GED from BRTC in 2013 and is in the CNA program at BRTC. Wolf is a 2011 graduate of Pocahontas High School and is in the Respiratory Care program at BRTC. Bailey earned a GED in 2013 and is currently working on prerequisites for the nursing program. She plans to become a pediatric nurse. Emmett earned a GED from Ogechee Tech and is currently pursuing and AA degree at BRTC. Searcy earned a GED in 2001 and is currently attending BRTC with plans to become an RN. Thielemier is a 1996 graduate of Pocahontas High School and is working towards a teaching degree at BRTC. Hamilton earned a GED and is currently attending BRTC with plans to pursue a Master’s in Counseling degree. Beegle is a graduate of Doniphan High School in Missouri and is completing basic education courses at BRTC with plans to purse a degree in Occupational Therapy. Rowe is a 2010 graduate of Maynard High School and is attending BRTC with plans to enter the Respiratory Care program in the fall.
To date, $168,573 has been awarded through MSSPS since its inception in 1992. Funding for the single parent scholarships is generated through fundraisers and BRTC employee contributions, in addition to, this year, donations from Arkansas Department of Higher Ed (ADHE), United Way of Northeast Arkansas, and the Arkansas Delta Endowment for Building Community Grant. Ball and Emmett have been designated as ADHE recipients; Jenkins, Loyd, Parsons and Wolf have been designated as United Way recipients; and Anderson, Bailey and Beckman have been designated as Delta recipients. Scholarships are given in varying amounts depending on full-time or part-time enrollment status.
According to Natasha Rush, Financial Aid Officer and MSSPS Co-Chair, to qualify for the single parent scholarship, individuals must be single parents with custody of minor children, be enrolled in a program of higher education, meet certain income guidelines, and be residents of Randolph County. For more information, contact Rush at 870-248-4019.