Ten Jefferson State students were recently announced as recipients of the Jefferson County Community Service Career and Technical Education Scholarship:
Cylinthia Riles
The Bessemer native received a $1,000 award for Spring 2020 to study in the Nursing program.
“My education and career goal is to graduate with my associate degree in nursing to become a registered nurse. Also, I plan to continue my education to become a nurse practitioner. I currently live at home with my mother who has a disability. I have not been able to work as much as I would like due to school and the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been difficult maintaining the utilities, keeping food on the table, and paying for my education. This scholarship will allow me to continue my education and career goal of becoming a registered nurse.”
Sonia Moreno
The Hoover native is studying in the Clinical Medical Assistant program and received a $1,000 award in May.
“I would like to get my Associate’s Degree in Nursing and continue my education in the medical field. I scheduled payments which are divided by three courses. Unfortunately, this situation (COVID-19) has changed my plans, but I really want to continue my education and pay for my courses.”
Melissa Ann Reed
The Sylvan Springs native is studying in the Computer Information Systems Technology program and received a $1,000 award for Spring 2020 and $1,000 for Fall 2020.
Her goal is to obtain an AAS in Computer Network and a position in that field. “I am a mother of three children and married. Due to Covid-19, I am not able to work as a substitute teacher/Shipt shopper anymore and I have been homeschooling two of my three daughters as well as taking care of my youngest child, who is 2 years old. Because of the pandemic, I am unable to earn any money to offset the cost of my education and our cost of living. My husband works, but he is also a Type 1 diabetic and is limited to only being able to work one job due to his health. We also have considerable medical bills from the medications that are necessary to maintain his health. My husband’s parents live with us and we support them as well, so that means seven people live off of one income, essentially. I am hoping to obtain a degree in IT so that I can hopefully be able to earn enough money to support us if/when my husband is no longer able to work. With the type of medical issues he has in addition to his diabetes, it is a matter of time before he is unable to continue working a regular job. If I did not receive financial aid, I would not be able to complete my degree or better our situation.”
Olivia Gibson
The Birmingham native received a $1,000 award for Spring 2020 and a $1,000 award for Summer 2020 to study in the Welding program.
Gibson’s education goal is to earn an “associate’s degree in applied science welding technology.” “In need of financial assistance to further my education and complete my long term goal.” Has a great need for assistance due to childcare costs.
Mark Medlin
The Hoover native was awarded a $500 scholarship in December 2019 to study in the Full-Stack Web Development program. Medlin has completed the program and obtained an IT job.
Medlin’s education goal was “to gain knowledge to become a software engineer / developer.” “I have recently become employed full-time but the pay is $10/hour and is barely meeting my needs. The scholarship will help until I finish my training.”
Jayla Elise Burt
The Hoover native was awarded $1,000 for Fall 2020 and $1,000 for Spring 2021 to study in the Pre-Vet program if enrolled and is in good academic standing.
“My career and education goal is to complete four years and get my bachelor’s including a minor in pre-vet and a major in biology or animal sciences. When I graduate from my four–year university, I plan to attend Texas A&M to later get my D.M.V. and later on open my very own animal clinic working as a veterinarian.”
“I live with a single mother whom works very hard to provide for me and I am aware that college overtime will be very expensive and the expenses will add up so I want to do whatever it is that I can to lighten that load and stress on my mother.”
Caleb Brett Mays
The Pleasant Grove native was awarded $1,000 for Fall 2020 and $1,000 for Spring 2021 to study in the Mechanical Engineering program if enrolled and in good academic standing.
Mays’ education/career goal is to become a mechanical engineer or other category of engineer.
“I need help with affording college and books due to my family currently having a low income. My father hasn’t been able to work since January due to heart problems and most recently being at high risk of COVID.”
Carrie Fountain
The Hoover native was awarded $1,000 for Fall 2020 and $1,000 for Spring 2021 if enrolled and is in good academic standing.
Fountain’s education and career goal is to obtain an Associate’s Applied Science in Nursing degree and become a nurse.
“I only work part–time, and I have to pay my household bills along with what my Pell Grant doesn’t cover for college and my books.”
Blaine Ellis
The Hoover native was awarded $1,000 for Fall 2020 and $1,000 for Spring 2021 if enrolled and in good academic standing.
Ellis’ education and career goal is to become a firefighter/paramedic.
“It would be very helpful to receive any scholarship money for the 2020-2021 school year for the paramedic program. Thank you!”
Tristan Shelby Chapman
The McCalla native was awarded $1,000 for Fall 2020 and $1,000 for Spring 2021 if enrolled and in good academic standing.
Chapman is currently in college finishing pre-requisites and plans to become a nurse practitioner
“To be able to help with childcare, I have four children, and for school supplies. Any help would greatly be appreciated. It has taken me so long to get to point I am at due to financial status.”
