NFC awards scholarships to JCS students

Laura Young
ECB Publishing, Inc.

Congratulations to Brooklynn Kirkpatrick and Corbin West for being the Jefferson County K-12 (JCS) high school seniors chosen to receive tuition-paid scholarships to North Florida College (NFC). The scholarships, provided through the Operation Outreach program of the NFC Foundation, each cover 60 college credit hours, the typical number needed to earn an Associate in Arts degree.
Annabelle Scott, the scholarship coordinator at the NFC Foundation, and Traci McClung, the director of resource development at the foundation, were both present at JCS on Tuesday, April 18, to present the scholarships.
“For every class,” Scott explained, “it's about $300... so it comes out to around $6,000 of your education [costs] taken care of.”
Scott added that if Kirkpatrick and West were not interested in a traditional AA, they could use the scholarship for other types of programs at NFC, such as a career and workforce program.
“We will walk through that process with you as you figure out exactly what you want to do,” she
said.
JCS Guidance Counselor Amy Diskin said that she also would be meeting with each student to go over the options at NFC.
After the presentation of the symbolic check, Kirkpatrick said, “I'm very thankful for this opportunity, and I can't wait to explore my options with this college.”
West also commented: “I'm really excited to have the opportunity to go to college because this really didn't look like an option for me a year ago, but I'm really happy that this is an opportunity I can move into.”
JCS Principal Jackie Pons concluded the occasion, saying, “I want to express my thanks to North Florida College, because they have made a real commitment to Jefferson County K-12, expanding all kinds of partnerships that we have. [In addition to] scholarship opportunities, they are offering dual enrollment classes next year on our campus, which is going to give our students an opportunity to take more advanced courses. Everything we've brought to North Florida College to ask them for help with a partnership, they've been a great partner. I just want to thank the North Florida College leadership for being there for Jefferson County K-12.”