The Patrick County High School (PCHS) class of 1971 responded to Patrick County Education Foundation’s (PCEF) challenge to support Patrick & Henry Community College’s (P&HCC) Patrick Promise as a gift from the class to future PCHS graduates with a donation of $4,257.96.
“A little over 40 years ago, the Class of 1971 scholarship was established. Recipients were to be children of our class and that was the practice for a number of years. It eventually expanded to if the parent was a graduate of PCHS, the graduate was considered,” said student government president Ron Haley, adding, “Our scholarship fund has awarded approximately 50 scholarships. We are closing our program and contributing the balance to PCEF for the benefit of PCHS graduates.”
Patrick Promise will extend support to provide free tuition to PCHS graduates attending Patrick & Henry Community College similar to The Harvest Foundation’s support for students in Martinsville and Henry County. To date, PCEF has raised the resources needed to fully fund the first two years of the Patrick Promise. Once funds have been raised for year three, the Board plans to launch the program.
“We are so grateful for the Class of 1971’s support as we work to ensure financially secure futures for our fellow PCHS graduates. It is my hope that every PCHS class will join us in meeting this important challenge,” said Roberson.
The early work of PCEF focused on improving the on-time high school graduation and GED attainment rates for Patrick County. As of 2022, the state on-time graduation rate was 89%. Patrick County’s was 92%. To decrease or eliminate population decline, increase economic mobility for the citizens of Patrick County, and increase the economic attractiveness and workforce development of Patrick County, PCEF is committed to ensuring the percentage of Patrick County adults (age 25-64) with a post high school credential will equal or surpass surrounding counties/locales.
In support of PCEF’s goal, Patrick Promise will provide last dollar funds for Patrick County graduates to attend P&HCC FREE to the family for up to 2.5 years. Funds will currently support two of those 2.5 years. PCEF invites the community to participate so that all PCHS graduates can benefit from the same level of investment as their peers in Martinsville and Henry County.
Community members interested in donating to Patrick Promise are encouraged to visit https://bit.ly/phccgivenow (designate Patrick Promise when donating).
