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IGNITE DAVIE is a place-based last-dollar scholarship; which means students must live in and attend school in Davie County. All eligible high school graduates, regardless of financial need or academic ability, can continue their education and training to open the door to better career opportunities and increased earning potential.
The program pays tuition, required fees, and a stipend for books for students to attend Davidson-Davie Community College full-time. Students may pursue a Certificate, Diploma, or Associate/Transfer Program.
Now a vet tech at Clemmons Veterinary Clinic, Kluttz is the first to graduate out of the 71 members of the Davie High Class of 2020 who furthered their education at Davidson-Davie Community College last fall as the inaugural class of IGNITE DAVIE College Promise.
Statistics from the first semester showed that:
She was able to graduate in December after only one semester because she entered the community college with 60 credits earned through North Carolina’s Career & College Promise (CCP) dual enrollment program. The program allows eligible NC high school students to enroll in college classes at North Carolina community colleges and universities through their high school. Tuition is free, the only expense is textbooks.
During high school, Kluttz knew that she wanted to get some of her college credits out of the way. Her guidance counselor recommended that she take some AP classes. However, she was reluctant to take the difficult classes knowing that receiving credit was based upon a single exam.
When her mom, Kelly Kluttz, who is the data manager at Davie High, told her about the CCP dual enrollment program, she knew that it was the perfect solution.
Kluttz spent her mornings taking her academic classes at the college and her afternoons at the high school taking chorus and band. While some of the classes were rigorous, she enjoyed the small class size and getting to know her teachers. She also appreciated the flexibility college classes provide. Her greatest challenge was transportation between the college and the high school but she was able to rely on friends to help her with that.
“This was definitely the way to go. If you can take college classes absolutely do it.
I only had one semester left when I graduated from high school, which was really nice.”
IGNITE DAVIE arrived at the perfect time for her. When her mom told her about the brand new program, she was excited and immediately applied. She has watched her older brother, an engineering student at NC State, accrue a lot of debt and understood IGNITE DAVIE’s value.
“I was so happy to have this opportunity to further my education after graduation without going into debt. I am really trying to get started in life. I hope to get married sometime in the near future and would like to buy a house. It would be hard to do those things with a lot of debt.”
Kluttz’s success story is one that the founders of IGNITE DAVIE hope to hear over and over again as the IGNITE DAVIE program continues to grow.
Education is one of the most important factors in a community’s economic success. More education means more opportunities for everyone. Yet the soaring cost of college prevents many students from furthering their education.
Providing access to post-secondary education is more important than ever as data suggests that an estimated 67% of all jobs in North Carolina will require some education and training beyond high school. In Davie County, less than 33% of our high school graduates (age 25-64) continued their education and actually earned an Associates Degree or higher. Davie County’s postsecondary attainment and completion rates indicate many of our students do not have the requisite qualifications to compete in the modern workforce. As a result, there is a significant misalignment between our workforce needs and capabilities.
“IGNITE DAVIE is an investment in our students to spark the economic vitality of Davie County,” said Carolyn McManamy,
director of Davie CONNECT and one of the driving forces behind IGNITE DAVIE. “It will open doors to educational access allowing eligible Davie County students to further their education beyond high school to ensure they possess the skills required for career and life readiness. Given the strong connection between overall academic achievement and the community’s economic vitality and quality of life, IGNITE DAVIE is an investment in Davie’s greatest resource: Our Children!”
Jane Simpson, president and CEO of the Davie Community Foundation, which manages the endowment for the program, hopes that hearing stories like Klutz’s will encourage other students to take advantage of the program and continue their education.
“The Foundation envisions Davie County as a vibrant community where everyone can thrive! Today, everyone cannot thrive without additional education or training. Ultimately, we hope all students choose to continue their education beyond high school and IGNITE DAVIE provides a wonderful opportunity to do that without incurring debt!”
Raising the funds to offer a program like this, particularly in a small community, is a tremendous undertaking.
“IGNITE DAVIE is an extraordinary promise and we invite you to join us,” said McManamy. “We currently have commitments for $1,840,000 of the $3 million needed to endow the program for our students and our community, but we need YOUR help to make the promise a reality! Together, we can create a bright and prosperous future for everyone!
Please join us and others with a vision for a vibrant Davie County by Committing to our Kids and making a gift that will truly spark our community.” Go to IGNITEDAVIE.com to make a donation or to learn more about the IGNITE DAVIE program. Specific questions may be directed to Carolyn McManamy: cmcmanamy@daviecounty.com or (336) 753-6670.