DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis, in partnership with the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce and the DeKalb County School District, has established the DeKalb County Educational Scholarship Fund for high school students.
The fund will award multiple scholarships in amounts up to $5,000 to DeKalb County School District high school seniors who have been accepted into a two- or four-year college or vocational training program in Georgia.
Scholarships will be awarded to students based on their financial need and merit. Students can apply for the scholarship now through April 19, 2013. The application is available at http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/dekalb-county-education-scholarship-application-(2013).pdf
Ellis was inspired to create a scholarship fund after receiving an award in 2012 from the National Association of Counties (NACo) which included a $5,000 scholarship donated by the Siemens Corporation.
“I saw the NACo award as an ideal opportunity to help young people fulfill their dream of achieving the education and training required to be successful in life,” said CEO Ellis. Partnering with the School District, Chamber, and generous sponsors demonstrates our collective commitment towards investing in our greatest resource—the young men and women of DeKalb County.”
Thousands of seniors are expected to graduate in May from DeKalb County public high schools.
"We are fortunate in DeKalb County to have a community that recognizes how the strength of our students directly impacts the success of our economy. We are grateful to Mr. Ellis and the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce for extending this opportunity to our students. Thanks to their generosity, pursuing post-secondary education just became a little easier for some of our students,” said Interim Superintendent Michael L. Thurmond.
A selection committee formed by the DeKalb Chamber will review the applications and the CEO, School Superintendent, and Chamber and will announce the awards at a May 14 ceremony for students, parents and sponsors.
“The DeKalb Chamber has long been a supporter of public and private education, our technical colleges, and traditional four-year institutions. We strongly endorse the need for an educated and prepared workforce in order for DeKalb County to succeed in economic development and overall community prosperity,” stated DeKalb Chamber Chairman Arnie Silverman.
The DeKalb Chamber of Commerce Foundation will serve as the fiscal agent thereby allowing all contributions to be tax deductible.
Scholarships will be awarded each year to deserving students who apply and are selected to receive a scholarship. The money can be used to help pay for tuition, books and other school expenses.
This article was provided by the county and edited for publication.