'Overwhelmed with joy': JCPS surprises seniors with $70K in scholarships
Eight graduating JCPS seniors are getting help paying for college this week through a surprise round of scholarships totaling $70,000.
The district is awarding the funds through the JCPS Community Scholarship Fund, supported by staff, families and community partners.
Officials say the goal is to make higher education more accessible for students across the district. Some students were surprised in person, with more awards still to come later this week.
Smiles and cheers filled the room as JCPS Superintendent Brian Yearwood made the surprise announcements.
“I am overwhelmed with joy. I’m just so happy. I can’t wait to go tell my mom and see the smile on her face,” said Ballard High School senior Sean Burklow.
He received $8,750. He plans to attend the University of Louisville to study public health and hopes to become a physician assistant.
Burklow said the moment was especially meaningful given his family’s background. His mother immigrated from Turkey, and he said many of the opportunities he has today were not available to her.
Another recipient, Daggan James of The Academy at Shawnee, received $10,000. He is part of the aviation program with Flight Club 502 at Bowman Field and plans to attend Eastern Kentucky University to pursue a career as a commercial airline pilot.
“I’m going to be a first-generation pilot, first-generation college student. I’m from a lower-income family, and this will help me and my parents a lot when it comes to paying for college,” James said.
Fellow Shawnee senior Taniya Johnson received $5,000. She plans to study exercise science and pursue a career in athletics.
Three additional students from Fern Creek and Central High School were also awarded scholarship checks last week.
“For me, it reaffirms what we do in public education that opportunity exists for all students, regardless of background. Regardless of first-generation, immigrants, regardless of status," said Yearwood.
Two more JCPS seniors from Male and Doss High School will be surprised with scholarships later this week. District leaders say the program continues to grow thanks to ongoing community support.
