A new scholarship fund at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College established to honor the legacy of local legend Tanya Seabrooks
The Tanya "The Game Changer" Seabrooks Scholarship will support women attending ECTC with preference given to residents of Radcliff, KY.
Tanya Seabrooks was known for her passionate commitment to her community, leading and participating in numerous projects in Radcliff. Seabrooks served on the Radcliff City Council and was active in multiple initiatives at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College. She was Vice President of the Kentucky Black Caucus and a member of the local NAACP. The scholarship fund at ECTC has raised $1,800 so far and is looking for additional donations. Seabrooks passed away at the age of 45 in December 2020 from a long-term medical issue.
Seabrooks' involvement with ECTC included support of the Hudson First Generation Scholarship Fund, a program focused on helping first generation college students with financial assistance and community support. Seabrooks also took a leadership role in an expungement event at the college in 2019 and helped lead the RISE diversity series in 2020. In a release from the college, President of Elizabeth Town Community and Technical College, Dr. Juston Pate said, "Tanya meant so much to our team at ECTC and the region we serve. It is comforting to know she will continue to make an impact and inspire our community's future leaders through this scholarship."
In an article published by local TV station WDRB, Seabrooks was remembered by some of those she worked with over the years. Radcliff mayor JJ Duvall said, "She was 'The Game Changer,' Everything that she became a part of, she worked to make a change." Neal Gibbs, an assistant principal in Hardin County Schools spoke of the impact Seabrooks had, "Tanya was a born leader. A real leader changes how people think and how people react."
The legacy of Seabrooks leadership in the community will be upheld by those she affected. In addition to the scholarship fund named in her honor, other projects she led will be continued. Local chef, Maria Bell, plans to continue an annual Christmas luncheon coordinated by Seabrooks that offers meals to those in need. The scholarship fund will begin awarding funds to students in the 2021-2022 academic year.