HARLAN COUNTY, Ky. (WYMT) – A Harlan County native who has since moved to Chicago working as a philanthropist is giving back to the community she grew up in.
Sharon Davis-Angell grew up in Bledsoe in Harlan County. Before she went to Union Commonwealth University, formerly known as Union College, Angell was awarded a scholarship that covered one-third of her tuition from a local banker.
Now, Angell is starting the Paul M Angell Family Foundation Scholarship to award 10 high school seniors in Harlan County with a scholarship covering one-third of their tuition. The students can choose between three colleges, the University of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University, or Union Commonwealth University.
“I want to give back to pay it forward so I want to give ten students what I got and I know the way out of poverty is education,” Angell said.
To receive the scholarship students must have a 3.5 GPA and also give back to their community in some way.
She hopes this scholarship program will give kids in Harlan County the tools they need to succeed.
“When you’re a part of it, you’re a part of it and people look out for you,” Angell said.
She can give these scholarships because her husband gave her money to use at her discretion when he died.
“I’m gonna continue to send money into the area,” she said.
Angell said she hopes the students who receive the scholarship will come back to Harlan County and give back when they can.
“I would hope that maybe they would go into politics and come back and help the area and fix some of the problems that are going on,” Angell said.
The students have not been chosen yet, but there will be a selection committee of objective leaders from Harlan County who will help with the process.
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