The Polk County Campus ICC Foundation, Inc. opened an endowment fund at the Polk County Community Foundation (PCCF) recently to preserve and maintain its New Century Scholars program.

The New Century Scholars program offers tuition-free college educations at Isothermal Community College to students who successfully complete the multi-year program. Students entering the 7th grade are selected by the Polk County Middle School staff and provided mentoring, guidance and preparation during the middle and high school years to ensure that they are ready for college.

New Century Scholars must maintain good school attendance, grades, citizenship, remain drug and alcohol free and perform volunteer service hours each year. These students work hard to develop potential success and reach their goals.

A reception will be held in honor of the current scholars on Monday, September 13, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Polk Campus of ICC. The community is invited to attend and meet these young people. A light supper of pizza made and donated by Franklin McKaig will be served.

Each year the Polk Campus Foundation adds three students in the 7th grade to be New Century Scholars and this year has 15 scholars. Funds have been raised for the past few years – especially last October through its inaugural Scholars at Glassy golf tournament that raised about $25,000.

Another tournament will be held this year on Monday, October 25, also at The Cliffs at Glassy, and all are invited to participate as a golfer, hole or flag sponsor, underwriter of breakfast or lunch, or as a contributor of a door prize or item for the goody bag. Cash contributions are also welcome.

Century BMW of Greenville will again sponsor the hole-in-one contests and offer an automobile. The tournament awards over $2,000 in cash prizes to the top three teams in flight plus has many door prizes.

Contact Sherril Wingo at 828-817-1668 or email polkcountyiccfoundation@gmail.com for more information.