A+ program benifits students and community

An innovative college scholarship program is helping college-bound high school students defray college expenses, and the local community is benefiting from the unpaid tutoring and mentoring they provide.

Pictured above are some of the graduates of this year's A+ Scholarship Program at Cape Central High School (CHS). From the left, front row, are Donysa Lanier, Ashlyn McKinley, Megan Myers, Brooke Evans, Kayla Smith, Melina McMichael, Amie Condie, Amy Raddle, Ercie Idom, Brandi Jones and Chelsea Johnston. Back row: Alan Jarvis, Victoria Scheller, Destiny Whitney, Dustin Peetz, Jacob Scott, Madison Kirn, Annesishia Lewis, Skylar Lange-Bell, Ashlie Anderson and Jake Wright.

The A+ Program has grown dramatically at CHS. Last year 10 students were eligible for the scholarship and this year there are 40. Forty students are enrolled for the Class of 2013, 71 for 2014, 63 for the Class of 2015, and the list keeps growing, according to Janet Rueseler, program coordinator.

"CHS A+ participants have individually contributed at least 50 hours of tutoring and mentoring at no charge to area students," Rueseler said. "In addition to keeping their own grades and attendance up, our A+ students have mentored and tutored at CHS, junior high, middle school, most of the elementary schools, Boys and Girls Club, and The Bridge. It's truly a win-win situation for everyone," she said. A+ Scholarship funds pay the tuition and general fees at community colleges and vocational/technical schools.