'Scholars, Dollars and Chocolates' Oct. 2

Limestone College students sample chocolates donated for a "Scholars, Dollars and Chocolates" fundraiser scheduled for Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. at Broad River Electric Auditorium. Pictured are Chandra Brown, Evan Goetz, Luciana Bates, Joel Figueroa and Kristen Smith. Luciana Bates and Chandra Brown have taken the idea of a college education one step further than most students.

Instead of settling for one degree, Bates and Brown could leave Limestone College with multiple college degrees in the next year.

Bates is working toward degrees in computer science and business management. Brown is pursuing degrees in computer science, information technology and business accounting.

"I'm really taking advantage of time at Limestone College," Bates said. "A lot of the courses align in the business majors so you get another degree by taking a few extra courses. It's all about maximizing the moment."

Bates is among 154 county students who benefited this year from the Cherokee County Scholarship Program. The scholarship fund provides a tuition grant for all county residents who attend the day program at Limestone College.

"We would like to thank Cherokee County for providing this opportunity," Brown said. "It only encourages us to work harder, knowing the college is behind us."

The college will hold its second annual "Scholars, Dollars and Chocolates" banquet Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. at Broad River Electric Auditorium. The event will feature dinner, the Iron City Band from Blacksburg, and homemade desserts prepared by Cherokee County Alumni Association members.

Brown Meat Packing is donating the meat for the dinner. Aramark is donating the side items and food preparation.

The donations will allow Limestone College to put all event profits into the Cherokee County Scholarship Program. Director of Corporate and Annual Giving Tisha Thompson said the college raised $16,000 at last year's event, selling out of tickets three weeks in advance.

The college has moved the event off campus to Broad River Electric Auditorium this year. There will be 300 tickets available at $25 each.

The real appeal of the event is the opportunity to help make Limestone College affordable for county residents. At $1,500 per year, the college's scholarship program for Cherokee County residents adds up to a significant savings over a 4-year period.

Bates was among five Cherokee County residents who spoke with the Gaffney Ledger on Wednesday about the benefits of scholarships. The students represent a cross section of the Limestone College student body.

Evan Goetz is a theater major and music minor. He is rehearsing for his upcoming role in a college production of "Beauty and the Beast" and performing Handel's "Messiah" with the community chorus at First Baptist Church in Gaffney.

Joel Figueroa is a criminal justice major who helps build sets for the theater department in his spare time.

Kristen Smith, a biology major, has been working with her professor Kerry Heafner on an independent research project that has resulted in the discovery of a new plant species. She is helping the science club restore the Limestone College observatory.

"I put in 12 hours a day working on my biology major between classes, labs, research projects, papers and other activities," Smith said. "The free money from scholarships is a no-brainer. If a college is willing to offer scholarship money just by living here in Cherokee County, then why not? It's definitely an incentive for me to come to Limestone College and makes it more affordable."

For more event information or to order tickets for the fundraiser, contact Thompson at (864) 488-4618.