TRIO-Upward Bound Program gets funded for four years
KC PROGRAM EXPANDS

Congressman Louie Gohmert and Senator John Cornyn present a check to Kilgore College President Bill Holda from the Department of Education for $1 million for a new grant program.

Senator John Cornyn and Congressman Louie Gohmert of Texas presented a ceremonial check for $1 million to Kilgore College yesterday.

Dr. Bill Holda, president of Kilgore College, along with Bertha Brown, the new director for the KC TRIO-Upward Bound Program received the check along with representatives of the four high schools who will be participating in the program.

Gladewater, Henderson, Sabine and Pine Tree High Schools agreed to participate in the program which will benefit 50 students from those schools, starting April 1.

Cornyn and Gohmert emphasized the need to invest in the education process, helping students who might not otherwise seek an education in the secondary level, college.

School districts expect to see improvements in test scores, retention, parental involvement and graduation rates of participants.

The $1 million grant will be spread over four years, $250,000 per year. This is the second time Kilgore College has been selected for this grant.

The Kilgore Independent School district was one of many in both Gregg and Rusk Counties that did not apply for the program

Jerry Roberts, KISD superintendent said Principal Bobby Wheeley, Kilgore High School attended the meetings invovled prior to the deadline for applying for the grant program. "It was up to Wheeley to make the decision since the program involved the high school," said Roberts.

Wheeley said the TRIO program did not fit KISD.