News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Jackson County’s Poke Sallet Foundation announced its new scholarship program Monday, for teens planning to attend trade or vocational school.
Poke Sallet Foundation Board member Casey Clark-Jackson said that Blue-Collar Scholars was created for both Jackson County’s community and students. She said that as much as scholarship recipients need additional funding for school, their communities need more skilled laborers.
“Well as locals, we know how important skilled trade is in this area, we don’t survive without electricians, without plumbers, without mechanics,” Clark-Jackson said. “And those, those positions are in very high demand right now.”
Clark-Jackson said that the idea for the scholarship came to The Poke Sallet Foundation members following countless conversations with high school grads and parents. She said many young adults feel lost after graduating high school, and the scholarship helps those who may not have any other assistance.
“There’s positions that the education required doesn’t always have funding available for the kids who want to go to those schools,” Clark-Jackson said. “So we are trying to fill in a need and help those students who want to go to trade school be able to fund that a little bit easier.”
Clark-Jackson said the scholarship will be funded by the numerous outdoor events The Poke Sallet Foundation hosts throughout the year. The first event will be the First Downtown Cook-Off on Saturday, October 21st from 11 a.m. through 1 p.m.
Clark-Jackson said that she hopes the community events will not only give support for scholarship recipients financially but also socially. She said that the events provide social opportunities for the community to come together and uplift one of their own.
