“Some say education is expensive. We say it is priceless.”
In 2005, the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation was formed to provide funding to the Clinton City and Anderson County School Systems. The members of the Chamber recognized public funding is unable to fulfill all the school systems' needs. The Chamber established the Education Foundation to create and sustain a superior educational system for the students and teachers. Since it's inception, The Education Foundation has presented Mini-Grants to Clinton City and Anderson County System teachers, presented the first ACES (Anderson County Exemplary Students Program) Scholarships in 2007, and presented Mary Kate Kegley with the Valerie Brown Scholarship in 2007. April Beams was presented the Valerie Brown Scholarship in 2008. For more information about the program or to make a donation, contact the chamber at 865-457-2559.
Donate to the Anderson County Chamber Education Foundation
Anderson County Exemplary Student Program
The Anderson County Chamber of Commerce has partnered with the Anderson County School System to sponsor the new Anderson County Exemplary Student Program. The concept was introduced March 13, 2003 at the Annual Banquet of the Chamber and was unanimously endorsed by the Anderson County School Board at its meeting the same night. The Chamber will solicit scholarship donations through their 501(c)3 Education Foundation for the program.
The Chamber is aiming for a $500,000.00 goal over the next four years. The first scholarships were presented to the graduating seniors in the Anderson County classes of 2007. Beginning in the Fall of 2003, ninth graders in Anderson County schools will be encouraged to meet higher academic standards during their high school careers - and will have the “carrot” of this new scholarship program.
Kelly Lenz, co-owner of Clinton Physical Therapy Center and Larry Foster, Director of Vocational Education are the co-chairs of the education committee for the chamber. Guidance Counselors Linda Rauch from Clinton High School and Mary Tuscan from Anderson County High School along with Roane State’s Admissions Counselor Jim McDaniel, Anderson County Schools Director David Robinson, Carlise Tire and Wheel Plant Manager Jack Ready, Community Bank of East Tennessee’s Branch Manager Nancy Jordan and Dr. Curtis Sexton made up the committee. This group of school representatives and business people met throughout the year to develop and establish the program.
ACES seeks to promote the following goals:
• Encourage students to reach for higher academic standards by taking more rigorous classes during high school.
• Develop well-trained, reliable, and responsible employees for area businesses.
• Enhance economic development in the area.
• Provide scholarship opportunities for students who might not otherwise attend college.
• Promote community-minded individuals.
The program will provide scholarships for college and vocational education. Students who meet the ACES standards all four years of high school will be eligible for the scholarships.
Among the standards for the program will be:
• Score 19 or higher on the A.C.T. for English, Math, and Reading.
• Earn 18 credits in high school for English (4), Math (4), Science (4), Social Studies (3), Technical or Foreign Language (2), and Computer-Related Courses (1).
• Students also must meet specific academic standards in those classes. The standards are a 2.75 grade point avaerage in English, Math, Science, and Social Studies if any are Honors or AP classes and a 3.0 average if they are not; a B or higher for the technical classes and C or higher for foreign language; and a C or better for computer-related courses.
In addition to the academic standards, students must also:
• Maintain an attendance of 95 percent or better for each year.
• Perform 20 hours of community service per year.
• Participate in one career planning assessment before graduation.
• Be in good standing throughout the high school career (suspension from school results in removal from the program for that year).
In addition to being eligible for scholarships, the ACES program students will receive a personal identification certificate, recognition in the news media, annual recognition at graduation, and a picnic celebration. Also area employers will receive a directory of ACES students.
The chamber is sending letters and pamphlets about the program to its membership seeking donations for the scholarship funds. Several levels of donations have been established. Sponsors thus far are:
• Platinum — $6000.00 or $1500.00 annually for four years.
(Anderson County Chamber of Commerce, Clinton Physical Therapy Center, and Clinton Utilities Board.)
• Gold — $3000.00 or $750.00 annually for four years.
(Ron and Karen Bridgeman, and BWXT Y-12.)
• Silver — $1,000.00 or $250.00 annually for four years.
(AmSouth Bank and Community Bank of East Tennessee, DH Compounding, H&R Block of Clinton, ORNL Federal Credit Union, and Sellers Realty, LLC.)
• Bronze — $500.00 or $125.00 annually for four years.
(Stephenson Realty and Auction, Comfort Inn of Clinton, Hoskins Drug Store & Hoskins Medical Supply, Enrichment Federal Credit Union and Wackenhut Services, Inc.-Oak Ridge Team.)
• Friends of ACE’s — $100.00 or less.
(Citizens for McNally)
For more information please contact the chamber office at 457-2559.
