Ashondra Hunt of Cordele, a member of the 2022 graduating class of Crisp County High School, was nominated and selected to receive the Crisp County High School Class of 1965 scholarship from the South Georgia Technical College Foundation. The scholarship can be utilized for tuition, books, supplies, on-campus housing, and educational tools while she continues her education at South Georgia Technical College.
Alumni of the Crisp County High School Class of 1965 set up the scholarship at South Georgia Technical College as a meaningful way to give back to their community. The scholarship is awarded annually and is open to members of the current graduating class of Crisp County High School who choose to further their education at South Georgia Technical College.
Hunt plans to enroll in the SGTC Medical Assisting program. The 17-year old has accomplished two years in the JROTC program at Crisp County High School and was a participant in mock trial.
She joined the work-based learning program at Crisp County High School as a senior and volunteered to work at Pinecrest Daycare facility where she experienced leadership roles in the different classrooms.
“I love kids, which is why I took that position. I was involved in watching over them, caring for them and helping out the teachers in the classrooms,” said Hunt. “This was a really great experience for me and it was a great environment for me to be in.”
The work-based learning program helped lead her to South Georgia Technical College. “I plan to start college this summer and continue in the medical assisting program for two years. Then I plan to continue my education and get my bachelor’s degree in the medical field.”
Hunt chose South Georgia Technical College because she is a hands-on person that likes the thought of combining classroom studies with hands-on training. “I have faced adversity in my life and in high school. I have been put down, but this past year, I understood that I don’t have to react every time someone tries to put me down and that I don’t have to prove my self-worth to anybody as long as I know who I am.”
The willingness to forgive others has helped Hunt to become happier and more determined to reach her goals of going to and graduating from college. The SGTC Foundation’s Class of 1965 Scholarship is a great start to recognizing those goals.
Hunt thanked the members of the Crisp County High School Class of ’65 for providing this scholarship. “I am very thankful for the opportunity to receive this scholarship and with your help, I will be able to accomplish my dream,” said Hunt.
The Crisp County High School Class of 65 initiated this scholarship program 20 years ago when they returned to Cordele for a class reunion. Susan Owens Stripling, along with Patti Bridges Dash and Stella Williams Bailey were the guiding forces behind the scholarship efforts. They decided to enlist the support of their classmates to establish a fund to aid students who wanted to attend South Georgia Technical College after high school graduation. The former CCHS students were successful in securing enough donations from classmates to establish a scholarship endowment fund with the SGTC Foundation.