Will you graduate from a high school in either Colbert or Lauderdale County? Will it be a county or city school? Will you have a 95% attendance record? Will you maintain at least a 2.5 Grade Point Average? Will you agree to take a College Prep Class? And are you a U.S. citizen?

If you answered, “Yes!” then Congratulations! You qualify for the new tuition scholarship to Northwest Shoals Community College. Beginning with the class of 2014 (this year’s 9th graders), the Rotary Clubs of Florence and Greater Shoals are undertaking the monumental task of guaranteeing every high school graduate who meets minimum requirements the financial ability to attend college.

The announcement was made to area educators and local media during a recent press conference at the Shoals Chamber of Commerce. John Rusevlyn, Chair of the Shoals Rotary Scholarship Joint Steering Committee, offered a prayer and introduced Florence Rotary President Harold Lewis and Greater Shoals Rotary President Mitch Hamm. Acknowledging the two clubs combined 181 years of service to the community, Lewis and Hamm said this plan was the ultimate workforce development tool.

“So many potential companies ask about the educational level of our workforce,” Lewis told the packed room. “This is a great ‘stay in school’ motivator. This is going to give students an opportunity to say that tuition will no longer be a stumbling block to continuing their education.”

“As a club of community leaders and citizens, we have always understood the value of our youth and a quality education," Hamm stated. “The Shoals Rotary Scholarship Program is a proactive initiative that offers a level playing field for all students."

Chamber of Commerce President Steve Holt pointed out that 12 years of education both directly and indirectly is involved in economic development.

The scholarship, which won’t affect any other resources the student may have, is fashioned on similar programs set up by Rotary Clubs in Hopkinsville and Paducah Kentucky. Lewis said that Rotarians are committed to helping students with paperwork for all grants and scholarships to which they might be entitled. With their high school diploma, they can now count on the Rotary Clubs to offer them the assistance they may need. If they maintain the same levels at NWSCC that they needed in high school to earn the scholarship, there’s no financial reason they can’t earn either an Associate Degree or a one year skill certificate.

“Our goal is to eliminate the financial barrier that may stop a high school student from moving to the next level of education," noted Rusevlyan.

"Students may not go to college for many reasons, but we don’t want it to be because they lack the financial resources to fulfill their educational development. Higher educational attainment usually means lower crime and unemployment, as well as fewer healthcare and welfare burdens for a community.”

The local organizations are looking at three ways of financing the scholarship: federal grants, community fundraising, and private donations. In fact, they are already starting to raise money. The goal is to create an endowment that will fund the program forever. Lewis assured the group that no raised funds will ever go toward administrative costs.

Not only will this program be likely to attract industry and new jobs to the Shoals, but it will give students a realistic way to achieve life goals.

Before dismissing the room, Lewis said, “This will change the Shoals. You’re a part of history today.”

Congratulations!