The scholarship was originally managed by Wallins United Methodist Church, but church leaders transferred the scholarship to Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College to increase the scholarship’s impact.
Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College is the new home for the Ballard Honeycutt and Dorothy Honeycutt Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship previously existed at the Wallins United Methodist Church, but was recently transferred to the college to enhance the impact of the scholarship. The scholarship has been designated for students who attended Wallins Elementary School, though other Harlan County students are eligible.
According to an article on Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College’s website, Glenn and Barbara Saylor, former church leaders of Wallins United Methodist Church, were quoted as saying of the scholarship and its namesakes, “Ballard’s spirit lives on in the hearts of those who worked beside him and now through the students this scholarship will serve. We are proud to partner with SKCTC to ensure these funds help students in Harlan County for generations to come.”
Ballard and Dorothy Honeycutt were Harlan County residents for their entire lives, with Ballard serving as the custodian at Wallins Elementary. Ballard was dedicated to his job and that dedication will continue through this scholarship to benefit students who once attended Wallins Elementary.
Tiffany Hampton, who serves as a SKCTC development officer, said, “As someone who grew up in Wallins and walked the same school hallways, I know how meaningful it is to show young students that higher education is within reach. This scholarship builds a bridge from elementary school to college, showing K–8 students and their families that resources are available to help them succeed.”
This scholarship is the first in the college’s history that is awarded to students who attended a specific elementary school.
The first recipient of the Ballard Honeycutt and Dorothy Honeycutt Memorial Scholarship is Olivia Kelly, a pre-pharmacy student who intends to go to pharmacy school when she graduates from SKCTC in the spring. She recently passed her Certified Pharmacy Tech exam and has been working in a local pharmacy. Throughout her time at SKCTC, Kelly has been a TRIO Student Support Services participant.
For more information about Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College, visit the school’s website.