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MEF celebrates 20 years of educational aid
By Chris Beattie, cbeattie@starlocalnews.com
Emphasis on education is often rooted in the community, and McKinney's roots have grown deep and strong over the last 20 years.
The McKinney Education Foundation has been the fertilizer, providing the support necessary for McKinney ISD students to blossom toward higher education and beyond -- scholarships to more than 2,800 graduating seniors totaling more than $4 million.
And it's time to celebrate.
The MEF will hold its 20th anniversary gala Saturday, April 21 in a transformed airplane hangar at Collin County Airport. George W. Bush, former U.S. president and longtime MEF supporter, will speak on the foundation's growth and impact since its inception in 1991.
Steve Stoler of WFAA-TV will serve as celebrity emcee, and the evening will include entertainment by Lone Star Attitude Band, a luxury auction, and a seated dinner. Introducing Bush will be Ambassador Linnet Frazier Deily, a McKinney native who Bush previously appointed as Deputy U.S. Trade Representative and Ambassador to the World Trade Organization.
"McKinney is honored to have longtime champion of Texas education, President George W. Bush, return for the third time to celebrate two extraordinary decades," Perkins said.
During MEF's first fundraising dinner in 1994, then-Governor Bush spoke and promised a return visit if the foundation met its initial challenge to build a $2 million scholarship endowment within three years. The nonprofit foundation did it in two years.
The McKinney Chamber of Commerce established MEF to "centralize, simplify and enhance the process of raising money for and awarding scholarships" to graduates of McKinney's three high schools and Serenity High, according to the MEF website. Individuals, local businesses and civic organizations annually contribute to MEF as large parts of a common mission: to "envision a future where a passion for learning unleashes the full potential of our community."
Advisors who specialize in higher-education admissions are stationed at each high school to help students find and apply for additional college funding. The MEF offers McKinney ISD staff frequent classroom and professional development grants, and keeps district alumni connected through the McKinney Ex-Students Association.
McKinney ISD Superintendent J.D. Kennedy said district staff are able "to expand their professional development and enrich the classroom through MEF grants."
About half of McKinney students receive aid either through college scholarships of MEF advisors' assistance and, through the advisor program, such students have secured more than $44 million in individual scholarships and grants since 1991, according to a MEF release.
"I didn't really have much when I was in high school, assistance-wise, so it's huge," said Ashley Sine, MEF programs coordinator. "We can't really force them to apply for a scholarship, but the more they hear about us, the more opportunities they have."
Sine began her work with MEF several years ago as an advisor at McKinney Boyd High School. She helped extend MEF's mission to the school's first senior class.
The foundation's latest "poster child," Sine said, is McKinney Boyd senior Rasheenah Bartley, who in January found out she would receive a $20,000 Horatio Alger National Scholarship. Only students who've dealt with extreme adversity like homelessness or abuse are considered for the scholarship.
Bartley, who last week traveled to a Horatio Alger leadership conference in Washington D.C., turned to MEF her junior year. Since seventh grade, she had been in the district's Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program, created for students with lots of potential but perhaps little support at home.
Because of an unstable, oft-changing living situation, Bartley was forced to another school in Princeton, void of AVID and advisors.
"I was scared...I knew going into my senior year, I was going to have to start looking at colleges," Bartley said, "and I didn't know who was going to help me or if I could do it by myself."
Sine stayed in contact with Bartley through her school runaround, meeting with her every month to discuss possible scholarships. Her aid fueled Bartley's determination.
"I was having to walk to school sometimes, and walk to work," said Bartley, who works part-time at Sonic to support herself. "I was just trying my best to do what I could for myself, but still stay focused on school."
She enrolled back at Boyd in January, on a day when one phone call likely changed her life. A Horatio Alger representative told Bartley of her $20,000 selection.
"I was so excited," Bartley said. "I have money for college. It's really possible."
Bartley recently completed her high school requirements through eHigh, which allows students to accelerate their course load. She completed a whole semester of history and English in less than two weeks.
She will still walk with her class in May, and likely with pride. Bartley's already been accepted to Texas Tech University, the University of Houston and the University of North Texas.
"She started senior year not knowing what was going to happen," Sine said. "All of a sudden in January...she had a clear picture."
A picture that keeps appearing for McKinney ISD students, thanks to MEF. This month's gala could inspire the community to help MEF take on its next challenge: to increase the percentage of McKinney ISD scholarship recipients from 50 to 70 percent within two years.
Roots can always grow deeper and stronger.
"We are grateful for the resources MEF provides for our students to achieve their full potential through college scholarships," Kennedy said. "MISD is confident the next 20 years will be rewarding for MEF and MISD."
For more information about MEF and the upcoming gala, visit www.mmeeff.com.
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