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Partly cloudy skies. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 66F. Winds light and variable.
Updated: June 5, 2024 @ 9:38 pm
Submitted photos
Brevard College honors CFSSP at Celebration of Philanthropy event.
Scholarship recipients at Blue Ridge Community College with CFSSP representatives at a 2024 recognition luncheon.
Submitted photos
Brevard College honors CFSSP at Celebration of Philanthropy event.
Scholarship recipients at Blue Ridge Community College with CFSSP representatives at a 2024 recognition luncheon.
The Connestee Falls Student Scholarship Program has launched its 2024 fundraising campaign.
Since 1987, the program has raised almost $2 million for scholarships and awarded more than 900 scholarships to Transylvania County residents seeking to continue their education beyond high school. The informal committee has the goal of raising enough money to award a college scholarship to one student and the volunteer group has established the Student Scholarship Program to reward many other deserving students.
Members of the CFSSP Board recently presented $60,000 to Brevard College and Transylvania County Schools from funds raised in 2023. A similar donation to Blue Ridge Community College is scheduled for mid-June. Student recipients represent a range of ages and backgrounds are selected to receive scholarships based on academic merit and financial need.
“I’ve had the pleasure of watching the Connestee Falls Scholarship Program grow and touch the lives of many Transylvania County Schools students,” said Missy Ellenberger, director of student services and secondary curriculum for Transylvania County Schools. “This year alone 30 seniors were awarded scholarships from Connestee Falls. The generous donations have helped many students follow their dreams and attend post-secondary education.”
The Connestee Falls Student Scholarship Program sponsors two major events each year – a golf tournament and a fall gala. The longest-running event is the golf tournament which had its first offering the same year the scholarship program was established. Connestee Falls residents support the CFSSP in many ways including events sponsored by clubs and sports with proceeds benefiting the scholarship fund.
Kicking off events this summer is Casino Night on Friday, June 7, a fun affair featuring gaming tables staffed by resident volunteers, a raffle and buffet meal.
Other upcoming events include the 10th annual bocce tournament, 13th annual pickleball tournament and tennis fundraiser. “The British Invasion,” a musical featuring members of Connestee’s chorale and musicians, will be performed three times in August with proceeds benefiting the scholarship program.
Although originating in Connestee Falls with leadership provided by residents, the program is a community-wide effort that raises funds from local businesses and donors as it extends its impact throughout Brevard and Transylvania County. While individuals and their families certainly benefit from the scholarships, this investment in our local students also provides workforce employees who contribute to our community.
At a recent event at the Brevard College’s Porter Center, the CFSSP recognized membership in the Rutherford Circle donation level who have made cumulative lifetime gifts of more than $500,000. Brevard College President Bradley J Andrews said more than 350 students have received scholarships to attend the school. A plaque acknowledging CFSSP’s contribution has been placed in Connestee’s Clubhouse Trophy Room.
Terri Lowery, current chair of the CFSSP Board, shared the program’s goals for the upcoming year. Efforts are underway to raise awareness of the program and its impact in hopes of increasing scholarship funds as well as generating support for endowment and legacy gifts.
In addition to continuing annual awards to the three primary local educational institutions, the program has established a new scholarship specifically for a Connestee Falls employee or member of his or her immediate family.
Among the many scholarship recipients are students like Shannon Ropp who completed the Emergency Medical Science program at Blue Ridge Community College. “There is no way I could afford this schooling without the help of a Connestee Falls scholarship,” Ropp said. “I am so grateful for the opportunity and will do my best to earn every penny of the scholarship. I say thank you to all the businesses, donors and supporters of this wonderful program.”
As board chair, Lowery recently participated in interviews with several Transylvania County high school student candidates for scholarships. The opportunity to hear their stories reinforced the reasons for her commitment to the CFSSP. She cites a quote that has brought meaning to her work life and to her post-retirement volunteerism: “If you know the ‘why’ then your ‘what” has more impact.”
Those who can give are encouraged to donate to this opportunity to positively impact individuals and families, enriching their lives and strengthening the greater community in which we live.
To learn more, go to www.cfscholarships.org.
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