Impact Update: Ending Generational Poverty
- Guest
- Aug 11
- 4 min read
Second Quarter – 2025
In this issue
$237,000 Awarded to 2025 Career Coaching Students
A High School Education Program That Works
GCHS Graduation 2025
Alumni Spotlight
Five Named Scholarships Presented
Students Continue To Cash In Earned Dave Dollars
$237,000 Awarded to 2025 Career Coaching Students
The Thillen Education Foundation (TEF) proudly announced that the 83 Greene County High School graduates who opted-in to TEF’s career coaching and financial incentive program will share $237,000 in post-graduate assistance. Interestingly this represented 85% of all seniors.
Students earned post graduate financial aid throughout all four years of high school for academic, community service and professional milestones achieved. Funds can be used to continue their education, advance their professional skills, launch skilled trade careers or begin military service. Over the past four years TEF has steadily increased post graduate assistance which has now totaled nearly $700,000.
Congratulations to all the recent graduates as we wish them all the best in their new journeys beyond high school. Cheers!
The High School Education Program That Works
The Thillen Education Foundation in partnership with Greene College & Career Academy (GCCA) have been working for the past seven years with the goal of ending generational poverty in Greene County Georgia. The following chart highlights the exemplary performance of the Class of 2025 in continuing the movement toward that goal.
For the second year in a row 100% of seniors opting-into the TEF program (85% of total seniors) graduated. On every measure the 2025 seniors more than doubled the performance of the class just four years prior. College attendance has increased 128%. The number of students recognized for community service, an indicator of future social responsibility, is up close to tenfold.
Students are learning and developing the critical skills needed to become productive and valued citizens.
GCHS Graduation 2025
Tiger Stadium at Greene County High School was once again packed with proud parents, families, friends, and community members for the Class of 2025 graduation ceremony. Among the cheering crowd was a strong showing of career coaches who have played a vital role in the student's journey to success.
This year’s graduating class included 89 students, with all 83 participants in the Thillen Education Foundation’s career coaching program achieving a 100% graduation rate—an impressive milestone that reflects the program’s continued impact. Graduates beamed with pride as they walked across the stage, many wearing honor cords and medallions recognizing academic accomplishments, community service, and career readiness.
The Class of 2025 met and oftentimes exceeded expectations. The celebration served as a powerful reminder of the importance of mentorship, opportunity, and community investment in shaping student success.
Alumni Spotlight
Ja’Quon Stembridge is a 2024 graduate of Greene County High School and a rising sophomore at the University of North Georgia. While only 18 years old, Ja’Quon has become the youngest-ever elected member of the State Executive Committee of the Georgia Republican Party.
This determined Greene County native announced his candidacy in March and commuted throughout the state and campaigned to increase the GOP’s message to younger voters.
At the ballot box Ja’Quon defeated his opponent winning 77% of the vote and will serve on the GOP Board for the next two years.
His high school career coach for three years described him as, “a great person of strong character, very sharp and committed to helping others.”
Very impressive Ja’Quon!
Five Named Scholarships Presented
The Thillen Education Foundation proudly awarded five named scholarships at this year’s Greene County High School Honors Night. These scholarships were awarded to students selected by the TEF Financial Assistance Committee for the highest awards and reflect the generosity of TEF’s business partners and donors.
The awards go to:
Kayla Sigman received the Nicholson Family Scholarship and will attend Valdosta State University studying Sports Medicine.
Shelby Lewis received the Gypsum Management and Supply Scholarship as she pursues her degree in Sports Medicine at Georgia Southern University.
Carmen Miller recieved the the Morris, Manning & Martin Scholarship to help her pursue a degree in Nursing at Tuskegee University.
India Mapp earned the Shaifer Family Scholarship to support her studies in Finance at Georgia State University.
Jayla Turner received the BankSouth Scholarship and plans to major in Business Administration at the University of North Georgia.
The recipients, all participants in the career coaching program, are well-positioned to thrive as they take the next steps in their educational journeys.
Students Continue to Cash in Earned Dave Dollars
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