Thillen Education Foundation Awards $237,000 toGreene County High School Graduates

At Honors Night on May 19, 2025, 100% of senior students participating in the career coaching program at Greene County High School graduated and received a share of $237,000 in earned financial assistance.

There were 73 participants in the program out of 89 total graduates (82%). “Students earned post graduate financial commitments throughout high school for academic, community service and professional milestones achieved,” announced Dave Thillen, founder.” We are so honored to have presented these students with substantial funds to continue their education, advance their professional skills, launch skilled trade careers or begin military service.”

The Thillen Education Foundation (TEF) career coaching and financial incentive program at GCHS began seven years ago. Since then, over 200 volunteer career coaches, including many retired business executives and teachers have dedicated countless hours helping students develop actual life/career plans.

Each year, more parents join in the student recognition celebrations reinforcing the importance of parental involvement in each child’s education journey. Scholastic and graduation performance continue to dramatically increase.

It’s Looking Bright for Greene County HS Students

The Thillen Education Foundation and Greene College & Career Academy at Greene County High School first joined forces in 2018. Their objective was to develop a unique educational approach encouraging disadvantaged students to excel in school to become productive and financially secure citizens after graduation. The unique TEF education program incorporates three key concepts:

1. Skills-Based Education: In addition to core academic classes students can pursue skills-based learning in technical fields such as automotive repair, graphic design, culinary arts, welding, nursing, and more—preparing them for high-paying technical careers.

2. Personal Career Coach: Each student must opt-in to the program to receive a dedicated career coach for all four years of high school helping them develop a career plan focused on their particular strengths and goals.

3. Awarding Academic & Community Excellence: Provide financial incentives and recognition for academic achievement, positive personal conduct and community service.

Soon to be in its eighth year, the program continues to help students excel in school and life.

According to Dave Thillen, “We are fortunate to have had direct one-on-one involvement in the lives of hundreds of students, with many more in line to experience the same post-graduation recognition and financial assistance in the years ahead.”

When school starts again next Fall, a total of 120 active volunteer career coaches will work with over 400 students attending GCHS. To date 700 students and over 200 volunteer career coaches have participated in the career coaching program.

Over the past four years TEF has steadily increased its annual financial funding and has now awarded students $676,000 in post graduate assistance.

“Our plan is to continue the program in perpetuity and offering even greater financial assistance to each graduating class,” Thillen says. “If our community has taught us anything it’s that we have only just begun to help realize the ambitions and dreams for so many deserving young people at Greene County High School.”

This article originally appeared in The Herald Journal.

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