Elkin Educational Foundation awards 10 scholarships

Ten local students have been awarded scholarships by the Elkin Educational Foundation.

Eight recent graduates of Elkin High School and two Elkin High alumni were recently awarded the foundation’s prestigious Blue and Gold Scholarship. The students include Aaron Caudle, Emily Hodgson, Patrick Jones, Alejandro Lopez-Canobbio, Adamari Morales-Castro, Brayson Tatum, Audrey Ward, Brian Wilson, Georgia Longworth and Alison Wells.

Blue and Gold Scholarships are awarded to students who are entering technical and vocational programs — or other identified community needs — after graduation from Elkin High. Research has indicated that Yadkin Valley communities and businesses have an urgent need for skilled workers in vocational and technical trades, as well as healthcare professionals. This year, scholarships were awarded in welding, HVAC, mechatronics engineering, nursing, radiology and dental hygiene.

These Blue and Gold scholars will be supported through community college, joining 10 previous winners who are in the second year of the scholarship. Three previous scholarship winners graduated from community college at the end of the spring semester. They are Selena Islas, Brody Vestal and Giancarlo Taglianetti.

Though Elkin City Schools is one of the smallest school systems in the state, the community also recognizes the importance of additional funding for our public schools. That’s why the Elkin Educational Foundation was formed. This new foundation is the union of two previous entities — Elkin Academic Enrichment Foundation and the Blue and Gold Alumni Scholarship Fund.

The group’s mission is to provide financial support and resources to our schools in pursuit of excellence in teaching, innovation in the classroom and superior learning and scholarship opportunities for all students.

Those who would like to contribute to the scholarship and other educational programs in Elkin City Schools, may visit ElksFoundation.com and click the “Membership” tab.