Mountain Classic Scholarships Boost College Access, Support Appalachian Students

More than 125 students from across the region were recognized and awarded $1,000 scholarships during the 39th annual Mountain Basketball Classic banquet Tuesday at the Mountain Arts Center. Donors, committee members, and recipients gathered for a meal and a ceremony that organizers said highlights long standing community support for higher education in the mountains.

Archie Everage, Mountain Classic Committee chairman, reflected on the event while underlining its broader importance for access. “It’s just amazing how everybody always comes together to make a successful mountain classic,” he said. He noted the program has reached 2,685 families and students since the committee and programs were created, and added that the awards frequently tip the balance for students deciding whether to attend college. “There’s lots of times that these scholarships make the difference whether these kids will be able to attend college or not,” Everage said.

Recipients described practical benefits and emotional encouragement from the awards. Lauren Partin of Lynn Camp High School said the award helps students who do not qualify for other aid and that small scholarships add up. “This $1,000 helps a lot. All these little scholarships like this add up,” Partin said. Partin also said she will attend Eastern Kentucky University to major in communication disorders and become a speech pathologist. Leah Jones from Bell County High School said she was thankful and noted many peers are in need. “I’m very thankful. Especially from where I come from, I think we have a lot of kids in need of this scholarship and I’m very thankful that I got it,” Jones said. Kelsie Huff from Knott County Central said the scholarship provided encouragement as she plans for the future. “I seemed a little bit daunting at times, but I think having reinforcements like winning this WYMT scholarship has really given me the encouragement and showed me that I have the potential to do what I said my mind to,” Huff said. Clayton Walker of Barbourville High School, who plans to study nuclear engineering at the University of Tennessee, thanked supporters for helping pave the way for other students. “Thank you so much for supporting all of us and all of our dreams,” Walker said.

Organizers announced a formal partnership between the Mountain Classic Committee and the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky, a move intended to institutionalize scholarship support and broaden fundraising reach. For local policymakers and civic leaders the event underscores persistent gaps in student aid and the continued reliance on community funded scholarships to fill those gaps. Sustaining and expanding such efforts will shape the region’s ability to retain talent and meet workforce needs as graduates enter fields from health care to engineering.

Two additional scholarships will be awarded during championship night at the Mountain Basketball Classic Saturday, extending the season long focus on education alongside athletics.