The McCracken County Community Career Endowment, Inc. (MCCCE) announced the selection of Paducah Tilghman High School juniors CoryOn Brooks, Audreya White, Terrance Robinson, Hannah Long and Cassidy Minter as Class XIV participants in the 2023 PaxtonScholars Program. The announcement was made at a dinner held in their honor at Big Ed's Restaurant on November 13.
These outstanding students were selected from a total of 12 applications submitted by African American Juniors enrolled in the Paducah Independent and McCracken County public school districts.
These selected scholars will receive college scholarship funds based on grade-point averages during their junior and senior years of high school and through the first two semesters of college. A college suitable HP Pro laptop computer and backpack will also be presented to all scholars.
The PaxtonScholars Program seeks to enhance student self-esteem, parent or guardian advocacy, peer and mentor interaction, maintenance and improvement of academic performance and preparation for college transition, all of which are unique challenges that African American students face.
MCCCE, a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization, was organized in 2006 after receiving a $1 million donor-directed endowment established at the Community Foundation of West Kentucky by the late Fred Paxton and his wife, Peggy Paxton. In addition to the PaxtonScholars Program, the endowment continues to award scholarships and educational assistance to students who wish to continue their post-secondary educations. The Fred and Peggy Paxton Non-Endowed Fund also contributes to support the PaxtonScholars Program.