Each year Big Sandy Area Community Action Program (BSACAP) is afforded the opportunity to present students in their service area with scholarships to help them attend college or vocational school.  The scholarships are made possible through the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG). This year nine people across Pike, Floyd, Johnson, Martin, and Magoffin Counties received a total of over $7,000 in funds to help them pursue their educational goals.

Johnda Marie Adams, of Pikeville, will be studying Dental Hygiene at Big Sandy Community and Technical College. Oliva Adkins, of Pikeville, will be studying Elementary Education at the University of Pikeville. Tommy Adkins, of Pikeville, will be studying Radiology at Big Sandy Community and Technical College. Austin Tyler Hall, of Harold, will be working toward his Associate’s Degree in Science at Big Sandy Community and Technical College. Diana Hall, of Prestonsburg, will be working toward a degree in Business Management at Big Sandy Community and Technical College. Sasha Kidd, of Martin, will be studying Nursing at Big Sandy Community and Technical College. Caitlin Little, of Pikeville, will be studying Nursing at Eastern Kentucky University. Reaford May Jr., of Elkhorn City, will be studying Electrical Engineering at Big Sandy Community and Technical College. Casondra Smith, of Pikeville, will be studying Human Services at Big Sandy Community and Technical College.

Mike Howell, Executive Director of BSACAP, said, “Through these scholarships we are trying to give a little extra help for the expenses they might incur during the school year. We really applaud these students for making the choice to continue their education and we are grateful for the opportunity to encourage them on their way.”

Wanda Thacker, Deputy Director of BSACAP, explained that students were required to submit proof of financial need, college acceptance, and GPA, along with letters of reference and an essay explaining why they deserve the award. Thacker also noted the recipients’ progress through the school year would be tracked. She invited the students to return to BSACAP when they graduate if they wanted assistance with referrals or anything else that life might bring their way. “We believe in you and we really do want you to succeed,” she said.

Scholarship funding is made possible by Community Services Block Grant with funds made available by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services and the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Big Sandy Area Community Action Program is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing a vast array of services, such as employment and training assistance, weatherization of homes, and area Head Start programs, in order to assist individuals and families in obtaining self-sufficiency. Through collaborative efforts of community and organizational partnerships, BSACAP seeks to improve the overall quality of life within the Floyd, Johnson, Martin, Magoffin, and Pike County communities. To learn more about BSACAP and their programs, visit www.bsacap.org or call the service office in your county.

Big Sandy Area Community Action Program joined the 2016 recipients of the Community Services Block Grant Scholarship for a group picture. Front row: Olivia Adkins, Sasha Kidd, Johnda Adams, Caitlin Little, CSBG Manager Kim Vicars. Back row: Executive Director Mike Howell, Tommy Adkins, Austin Tyler Hall, Diana Hall, Casondra Smith, Reaford May Jr., Deputy Director Wanda Thacker.

Big Sandy Area Community Action Program joined the 2016 recipients of the Community Services Block Grant Scholarship for a group picture. Front row: Olivia Adkins, Sasha Kidd, Johnda Adams, Caitlin Little, CSBG Manager Kim Vicars. Back row: Executive Director Mike Howell, Tommy Adkins, Austin Tyler Hall, Diana Hall, Casondra Smith, Reaford May Jr., Deputy Director Wanda Thacker.