Allan Jones
Allan Jones, CEO and founder of Check Into Cash Inc., has announced his financial support of the tnAchieves program in Bradley County.
“My father always told me to give more than my fair share, and I believe anyone who is successful owes it to the community to give back,” Jones said in a press release. “I take pride in the fact that the Cleveland High School and Bradley Central High School wrestling programs are consistently ranked No. 1 and 2 in Tennessee, and I hope this donation will help local education reach the same heights. I urge others to join me in partnering with tnAchieves to change the future.”
The launch of bradleyAchieves will be officially announced at Cleveland State Community College Thursday at 2 p.m.
“As a result of the generosity of Allan Jones and the work of tnAchieves, we can now provide vital help to students who struggle to pay for a college education,” Cleveland State Community College President Carl Hite said in a press release. “Recipients of these dollars will also benefit from the interaction they will have with volunteer mentors, which is another way we hope to ensure their success. This is a great day for Bradley County.”
This last-dollar scholarship program will provide money for college and mentoring for eligible students graduating from the three local high schools to attend CSCC, according to the press release. This opportunity will be available to the graduating Class of 2012. Applications are available and are due by Oct. 14, according to the release. Any financial aid the student earned would apply first, then if there are still remaining college costs, the last-dollar scholarship would be used.
A second component of the program pairs recipients with a local mentor to help them through the first two years of college. Toby Pendergrass, chief of staff for Jones Management Services, said the program gives anyone the opportunity to apply to be a mentor. He said Jones is excited about the program because it gives people who care about education a chance to make a difference. More information about applying to be a local mentor will be released after the official launch of the program.
The tnAchieves program was pioneered in Knox County. Now the program has spread to 22 counties, according to the tnAchieves website. More information can also be accessed at http://www.tnachieves.org/.
