Three participants in Workforce Investment Act (WIA) programs administered by EKCEP were recently awarded 2004 Education at Work Scholarships from the Kentucky Department for Workforce Investment.

Tonya Coffey, Shawana Slone, and Ronald Ruth were among 25 Kentuckians who received the scholarships at a July 15 ceremony at the Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort. The $500 scholarships are presented to students pursuing postsecondary education in Kentucky.

"They have discovered the importance and the joy of learning," Education Cabinet Secretary Virginia Fox said. "Their stories should inspire other people to dream and make goals for themselves. As they seek to improve their lives and the lives of their families through education, they also improve Kentucky and make their communities better places to live and work."

In addition to Fox, the ceremony was attended by Gov. Ernie Fletcher, and Laura Owens, commissioner for the Department for Workforce Investment. Fox and Owens presented the winners certificates commemorating the event.

Coffey, Slone, and Ruth were chosen for the scholarships based on their essays entitled, "How Education Will Help Me Succeed at Work." They and the other winners were nominated by their WIA case managers, who submitted their essays and two character reference letters to the Department for Workforce Investment. Winners can use the scholarships for tuition, books, and lab and technology fees.

Each winner used at least one employment and training program or service affiliated with either the Department for Workforce Investment or the Kentucky Department for Adult Education. EKCEP administers those workforce services for 23 eastern Kentucky counties, where the services are delivered by various community action agencies under contract with EKCEP.

Details about the scholarship winners from the EKCEP area appear below.

Tonya Coffey, 29, of Tyner, is a practical nursing student at Somerset Community and Technical College. She received financial assistance and career counseling through WIA programs delivered by the Daniel Boone Development Council in Jackson County. She was nominated by WIA Case Manager Susan Patton.

Coffey wrote that the WIA "has given me the opportunity to attend college, encouraged me to excel in academic excellence, and is assisting me in achieving my goals." Coffey said she plans to continue college after she receives an associate's degree in order to become a registered nurse.

Shawana Slone, 40, of Garner, is an early childhood education student at Hazard Community and Technical College. Slone enrolled in the WIA Dislocated Worker Program delivered by the L.K.L.P. Community Action Council in Knott County after losing her job of seven years. The program provided her funding that allowed her to enroll in college and begin her studies. She was nominated by WIA Case Manager Bobbie Slone.

"I had heard of the Dislocated Worker Program and decided to give it a try," Shawana Slone wrote. "I knew this was the best opportunity I could have to better myself in the workforce. I now realize this was probably the wisest decision I could have ever made."

Ronald Ruth, 20, of Manchester, is a physical therapy student at Hazard Community and Technical College. Since graduating from high school, WIA programs delivered by the Daniel Boone Development Council in Clay County allowed him to work in three medical settings that gave him experience in the physical therapy field. He was nominated by WIA Case Manager Tabitha Hacker. Ruth said the WIA helped him develop both his educational and career goals.

"Goals are easy to make and anyone can have a reason as to what they want to do with their life," Ruth wrote. "However, sometimes it can be difficult to maintain a certain drive to complete the mission of conquering your lifelong aspirations. For me, personally, I have many people and organizations to thank for helping me stay on the right track."