11 Jul 2022 $50,000 grant will help students in Conway County

Posted at 5:08 PMh in News by

The South Conway County Public School Foundation (SCCPSF) recently received a $50,000 grant from the Nathan and Virginia Gordon Endowment Fund. The money will be donated to the Conway County School Counts! fundraising drive. Nathan and Virginia Gordon were ardent donors to educational opportunities, especially in Morrilton and Conway County. School Counts! is making a difference for students in Conway County by helping them prepare for the workforce. 

South Conway County Public School Foundation Board Members: Gary Koch (from left), Sarah Ryals, Lawana Lyon, Dr. Karen Cree, Katherine Foust; former State Senator Allen Gordon representing the Gordon Family. Conway County School Counts Board Members: John Gibson, Todd Haynes, Alisha Koonce, John Andrews, and Dr. Thomas Flowers.

The SCCPSF challenges individuals, businesses, and alumni to give to the Conway County School Counts! fundraising effort. It is a partnership between the business community, the county’s K–12 schools, and the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton (UACCM). The goal of the School Counts! initiative is to enhance the community’s economic development efforts by emphasizing the value of education and the importance of a highly qualified workforce to parents, students enrolled in elementary and secondary school, college students, and the business community.

Conway County School Counts! is raising funds to expand its endowment so that more funds are available to support more students who want to pursue college credit or a technical certificate from UACCM.  

The partnership between all Conway County school districts and UACCM helps educate students and equips them to learn a skill which makes it possible for students to dream big.  

Some students believe they are not college material or do not have the financial support to pursue a post-secondary education. School Counts! makes it possible to take concurrent classes while still in high school and graduate with a technical certificate ready for a high paying, high skills job, or to earn college credits. Financial assistance provided by School Counts! makes it possible for eligible students to pursue their dreams. 

Conway County School Counts! offers financial assistance to all eligible Conway County students to enroll in concurrent classes at UACCM during high school or pursue their education after graduation. The goal is to provide students a jumpstart on their career.

School Counts! students must embrace four core values and criteria:   

  • Quality: “I always give my best effort.” No transcript grade lower than a C.  
  • Attendance: “I show up for work.” Achieve a 90% to 95% attendance record each year for grades 9 – 12.                  
  • Persistence: “I finish what I start.” On schedule to complete high school in four consecutive years.                        
  • Goal Setting: “I go the extra mile.” Take more than the minimum number of credits required by the state for graduation.  

Counselors in all Conway County school districts start teaching students as early as kindergarten the importance of the four components of School Counts! Students enroll in the program in the ninth grade; eligible students may begin concurrent classes, graduating with college credits or a technical certificate – ready to go to work.  Interested students simply need to contact their school counselor for more information on School Counts!