Chamber Kicks Off New Scholarship Fund With Grants to ECHS Business, Vocational Departments

Darren Doyle, (center) presents $2K to the ECHS vocational and business programs to kick off the Chamber's scholarship fund.

Edmonson Voice Report, photo by Adelyn Graham:
Edmonson County Chamber of Commerce President Darren Doyle presented a check for $2000 today to Edmonson County High School to help start the Chamber's brand new scholarship/grant program to benefit both business and vocational students.

The vocational and business departments will receive a local Chamber grant in the amount of $1000 each.

"The number one job of the Chamber of Commerce is to promote our local business community," said Doyle. "What better way to do this than to encourage entrepreneurship and hard work to Edmonson County students?"

Doyle said the scholarship/grant fund has been in the making for over a year now.

"We didn't know exactly how we wanted to do this during our first discussions," he said. "We did a lot of research, talked to local business owners, as well as school personnel to see how we could best do it. We decided that learning entrepreneurship doesn't just begin and end with a regular business course. Some of Edmonson County's most successful businesses are skilled trades and we want to combine opportunities for both types of students. Of course, ECHS has great vocational and business courses."

The scholarship, which will be available to both business and vocational students for the 2025-26 school year, will require a high GPA, entrepreneurship skills, work ethic, and teacher recommendation, among other requirements, Doyle said.

"Even students not planning on college are eligible for a grant instead of a scholarship," he said. "Running your own business takes very specific skills, and some of those don't have to be learned in college. Students planning to start their own business or those that already have will be great candidates for this award."

ECHS Principal Jonathan Williams, who accepted the check on behalf of ECHS, said this was a great idea that he supports.

"We want to extend our thanks to the Edmonson County Chamber for their support of our programs," he said. "The grant awarded today and future funds will make a huge impact on our students."

Today's check presentation was also attended by Superintendent of Schools Brian Alexander, Assistant Principal Nikki Culbreth, vocational instructors Brandon Meredith, Shane Wilson, and Nick Rich, business teachers Jody Booth and April Hennion, as well as several vocational students.

In addition to Doyle, the Chamber Board is made up of Vice President Josh Casey, Treasurer Daniel Bolton, Mark Wardlow, Sherrell Thompson, Alicia Edwards, and Corey Culbreth. Kayla Childress serves as the Chamber Coordinator/Secretary.