Burke Collegiate Scholars
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Burke Collegiate Scholars
Top row, from left: Cameron Greene, Madison Wilson, Emily Powell, Ashley Hernandez
Bottom Row, from left: Ava Yamouti, Pedro, Kaitlyn , Star Baughman
The Western Piedmont Foundation established the Burke Collegiate Scholars program in 1989 to provide financial and academic support for children who have the potential to become first-generation college students.
Each year, members of the TRIO Educational Talent Search program of Western Piedmont Community College work with personnel at Burke County Public Schools to identify rising sixth graders in each elemenary school in the county who are in financial need, but demonstrate the academic excellence and leadership capabilities that would enable them to succeed in college.
The BCS Program
These students submit applications to the Burke Collegiate Scholars program, which are reviewed by a committee made up of staff and board members of the Western Piedmont Foundation, as well as WPCC staff. One student is chosen from each school as the winner of the BCS scholarship, along with two-runner ups.
The winners and runner-ups receive academic tutoring, mentoring/counseling and enrichment activities through the ETS progam during their middle and high school years to prepare them for the college experience. The students learn about different careers and the education required to be hired for jobs in those careers. Program staff take the students on tours of local college campuses.
Once they graduate from high school, the winning scholars are offered a full scholarship to Western Piedmont Community College for up to five consecutive semesters. If they choose not to attend, the scholarship goes to the first-runner up for their school, and then the second if the first does not make use of it either.
The BCS program has transformed hundreds of students’ lives and enabled them to pursue their dream careers. It gave them hope for a better life and a path to success.
Donations from people like you help Burke Collegiate Scholars live up to their full potential and become leaders in our community.