COVINGTON — Following a trend in which groups composed of private citizens or private-sector business join to help raise money to improve public education, the Covington Educational Foundation will hold its first major fund-raising event July 13.

        Called “Taking it to the Green,” the golf tournament at Twin Oaks Golf and Plantation Club in Covington will help set up college scholarship funds for Holmes High School students.

IF YOU GO

• What: Covington Education Foundation's “Taking it to the Green” golf outing.    • When: 8 a.m., breakfast/registration; 9 a.m., shotgun start (scramble), Friday, July 13.    • Where: Twin Oaks Golf and Plantation Club, East 43rd Street, Covington.    • Cost: $75 per golfer; $300 for a foursome.    • Activities: In addition to the 18-hole golf game, other contests include longest drive, longest putt and closest to the pin.    • Information: Call Diane Brumback at (859) 384-2073.

        The CEF will establish scholarships for vocational and college education from the proceeds. Organizer and teacher Diane Brumback said she hopes it will encourage Holmes students to attend post-secondary education.

        Only 20 percent of Holmes graduates go on to post-secondary education, compared to the state average of 52 percent. Ms. Brumback cites economics as the main obstacle for Holmes students going to college. Ms. Brumback said events like “Taking it to the Green” will show students there is help available for affording college.

        Among those participating will be former Kentucky state Sen. Joe Meyer, who served as the chairman of the Senate Education Committee.

        “The quality of education in a community is a really strong measure of the strength of the community,” Mr. Meyer said. “If your schools aren't strong, then businesses will suffer.”

        “Businesses and community governments need to send the message to students that education doesn't end at K-12 and that they will help support them,” Ms. Brumback said.

        Local businesses have begun to send out that message, said Ms. Brumback, by showing avid support of the golf outing. Cincinnati Bell is the main sponsor, but many other sponsors, including Jillian's and Corporex, have given donations as well.

        Additional scholarships and funding for students will not only give them a boost economically, it will also boost their confidence, said Holmes High School Principal William Grein.

        Many students from poor families have less confidence in their abilities, said Mr. Grein, and are afraid to even attempt going to college. “They don't necessarily feel they are capable,” said Mr. Grein. “They are not able to always get support at home with their studies.”

        Mr. Grein said the future for Holmes students is looking brighter as the number of students taking the SATs rose last year. In addition to cash donations, many restaurants have donated gift certificates as door prizes for participants.

        Ms. Brumback said she hopes “Take It to the Green” will be a milestone event for the two-year-old CEF to grow on. Ms. Brumback said her goals for the future of the CEF are to get grants for high school dropout prevention and minigrants for teachers to use additional education resources.
       

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