First Texas Promise Program Begins at TJC
Posted/updated on: April 23, 2014 at 5:41 pm
RUSK — The first group of Rusk TJC Citizens Promise Scholars is preparing to join the Fall 2014 freshman class at Tyler Junior College. Established in February, the Rusk TJC Citizens Promise is one of only 23 Promise programs in the United States and the first such initiative in Texas, according to a TJC news release. For each qualifying student who graduates in the top half of the class, the Rusk TJC Citizens Promise initiative covers $4,000 per year (for two years) at TJC.
The 55 eligible Rusk High School seniors were introduced Tuesday morning during a special event in the RHS auditorium. In addition to graduating in the top half of their class with a minimum 2.5 GPA, qualifying students must also reside in Rusk ISD and must have attended Rusk High School for grades 11 and 12.
The eligible students are: Casey Abernathy, Jayson Anderson, Octavian Arrington, Austin Ballew, Kyle Bannister, Sam Beavers, Margaret Beckworth, Emily Bracewell, Jeremy Cheney, Brittany Christopher, Kyleigh Christopher, Hayden Curl, Chelsie Daniels, Brittaney Dunlop, Jaclynn Dyess, Brandon Fincher, Erin Flowers, Delanger Foreman, Aaron Franks, Cameron Franks, Kirsten Fuller, Jasmine Garza Martinez, Stephanie George, Johnita Griffith, Taylor Hamilton, Josh Herring, Reniqua Hicks, Bre’Ann Higgins, Amy Holcomb, Christian Holman, Kara Hugghins, Kadeja Jefferson, Chelsey Jones, Lauren Lankford, Alexis Long, Morgan Miller, Destinee Morris, Daniel Perez, Sierra Phillips, Jessica Reynolds, Anthony Rodriguez, Ariana Rossa, Micah Russell, Jadarian Skinner, Khiana Starling, Vijay Stingley, Dylan Thompson, Shayla Townsend, Madison Turner, Tierra Turner, Miranda Uherek, Gabino Villa, Tristan Williams, Gabriela Willis and Kayla Woodlee.
Funded by gifts and pledges from Citizens 1st Bank, The James I. Perkins Family Foundation, and others, the program is a partnership among TJC, the TJC Foundation, Rusk ISD, Citizens 1st Bank, and The Perkins Family Foundation. “The Rusk TJC Citizens Promise is off to a roaring start,” TJC President Dr. Mike Metke said. “What was once an idea is now a reality that will have a lasting impact on the lives of Rusk students and their families for years to come.”
According to the news release, studies of similar Promise programs in other parts of the nation have shown marked improvement in schools. That includes increased enrollment and retention, along with higher test scores and graduation rates. And TJC officials say according to the studies, the Promise programs have created a college-going culture among students, with more enrolling in college after high school. The program’s success also extends to the community at large, with an economic boom created by more families relocating to Promise communities, according to the release.
“We are fortunate to partner with the nation’s best junior college – Tyler Junior College – and announce this life-changing and economic engine for the Rusk community,” said James I. Perkins, Citizens 1st Bank president and chairman of the board. Metke said, “We look forward to watching this program grow and thrive and continue to improve the lives of Rusk students, their families, and East Texas.” Go to http://www.tjc.edu/ruskpromise for more information on the Rusk TJC Citizens Promise.
