Tyler Junior College recently recognized its third class of Rusk High School graduates to attend TJC on the Rusk TJC Citizens Promise Scholarship.
In February 2014, the James I. Perkins Family Foundation – along with Citizens 1st Bank, Rusk ISD, TJC and the TJC Foundation – established the Rusk TJC Citizens Promise.
The first program of its kind in Texas, the Rusk Promise covers up to two years at TJC for Rusk students who graduate in the top half of their class with a minimum 2.5 GPA. Qualifying students must also reside in Rusk ISD and must have attended Rusk High School for grades 11 and 12.
In a special ceremony last week, the Perkins family and TJC honored the third class of Rusk Promise scholars for their hard work over the past two years.
Graduates received cords to be worn at TJC commencement on Friday. The cord colors represent their status as alumni of both Rusk High School (red and black) and TJC (gold and black).
The 2018 Rusk Promise scholars honored at the event were:
• Jim Colby, pursuing an automotive technology degree
• Amy Collins, graduating with a business degree
• Christian Coutee, graduating with a general studies degree, magna cum laude
• Jazzimine Crist, pursuing a music degree
• Cassi Fletcher, pursuing a general studies degree
• Hayden Helm, pursuing a general studies degree
• Chad Jeffrey, pursuing an air conditioning/refrigeration degree
• Estella Lopez, graduating with a social work degree
• Sommer May, pursuing an education degree
• Brandon McClure, graduating with an engineering degree, magna cum laude
• Mark Mitchell, pursuing a general studies degree
• Esmeralda Perez, pursuing a pre-dental hygiene degree
• Brylee Teichman, graduating with a pre-nursing degree, magna cum laude
• Waylon Turner, pursuing a gaming and simulation development graphics degree
• Evelin Velasco, pursuing a pre-nursing degree
• Cassie Weiss, graduating with a degree in geology, magna cum laude
For more on the Rusk TJC Citizens Promise, go to www.tjc.edu/RuskPromise.