PRESTONSBURG -- Big Sandy Community and Technical College (BSCTC) hosted the sixth annual BSCTC Scholarship Reception.

Emotion was the rule of the day as donors and recipients alike wiped their eyes as they smiled through their tears Thursday night, October 26. Each had made their way to the Prestonsburg Campus of BSCTC to celebrate the giving and receiving of a gift that changes lives forever.

Robert L. Bayes, Chair of the Big Sandy College Educational Foundation, Inc. was Master of Ceremonies for the reception. He welcomed the audience and invited them to listen as donors and recipients each shared their stories. He told them that money donated for scholarships each year pays for tuition; purchases books and supplies; provides fuel for transportation; and makes it possible for students to attend college, clothed, fed, and free from some of the financial worries that distract so many students striving to get an education in today's economy.

Beverly Martin, BSCTC counselor, told the crowd, "Big Sandy Community and Technical College's scholarship committee has awarded 218 scholarships this year, for a total of $227,843."

Family Court Judge Julie Paxton, First Commonwealth Bank's President Greg Wilson, Summit Engineering, Inc.'s Vice President Phil Lucas and Highlands Regional Medical Center's CEO Harold "Bud" Warman delivered comments from the "donor's perspective." Each took the time to tell what it means to a business and to them personally to provide a scholarship that will make it possible for students to become more productive citizens and better employees.

Troy Burchett, Sheila Daniel, Georgetta Howard, Terri Jo Kimsey, Kari Pate and Chris Spears spoke to the audience about the changes in their lives brought about by the gift of a scholarship.

Troy Burchett spoke about the struggle he has had. "I will be the first in my family to even attend college and I wish with all my heart my dad could have lived to see me graduate in the Spring," Troy said. "Being visually impaired and having little or no funds to go to school on has been a real problem, but Big Sandy Community and Technical College has made it possible for me to get an education. I now have a future and I am grateful to everyone at BSCTC who stood by me and helped me succeed. The scholarships made it possible for me to keep going to college and the faculty and staff at the college helped keep me on the right course."

Sheila Daniel, recipient of the first Julie Osborne Lester Memorial Dental Hygiene Endowment award, thanked the Lester family and told them that this scholarship is making it possible for her to become a dental hygienist and fulfill her dream.

Georgetta Howard, thanking KY Power and AEP for the scholarship she received, told of the changes in her life and her family's life that her career will make. She spoke of self esteem and fulfillment as well as the sense of self worth that comes from achieving goals. Georgetta said, "There was no way I could have gone to college without a scholarship. I can never thank you enough for what this scholarship has done for me and my family." Georgetta also was presented the PTK Leader of Promise Certificate which is awarded to only 30 recipients nationwide and also includes a $1000 scholarship.

Terri Jo Kimsey, recipient of the Criminal Justice Club Scholarship, told of the hardships she had endured as a non-traditional student and the difference in her life that was made by the scholarship she received.

Kari Pate thanked the Verne P. Horne family for the opportunities afforded her by receiving the Verne P. Horne Scholarship. Chris Spears spoke of his dreams of a college education and an exciting career that has been made a reality through the Summit Engineering, Inc. Scholarship that he received this year.

Dr. George D. Edwards, President of BSCTC thanked the donors and recipients for attending the reception to celebrate the gift of education. He said, "Each year we come together to hear the stories of scholarship recipients and how their lives are changed by the generous gifts of donors who want to change lives for the better and improve the quality of life for citizens of the Big Sandy area."

Music for the evening was provided by the Big Sandy Singers soloists Troy Burchett and Susan Scott.