Scholarships will be offered in memory of JHS graduate
Students that are interested in pursuing a career in emergency medical technology (EMT/paramedic), nursing, or firefighting may benefit from a new scholarship that is again being offered this year. The Timothy L. Correll Memorial Scholarship (in an amount not less than $100 and not more than $500) will be awarded on an annual basis to graduating seniors who are going to continue his or her education in any of those fields, whether it be a two- or four-year program.
The scholarship, spearheaded by Correll’s family, including his parents Karen and Terry Correll of Jordan, will memorialize Tim, who died in a truck accident near Hastings in December of 2002. Tim was a Jordan High School graduate (class of 1997).
Karen Correll said Tim, an EMT and firefighter for the Randolph-Hampton Fire District, would have approved of the scholarships, one to be awarded to a Jordan student, one to a Randolph student, and another to a greater metro area student.
"Tim always had a real heart for helping people and I know there are kids that have a heart to do this kind of work," said Correll. "We need to feel like there is some sense to this tragedy and the best way we know to fill that need is to train young people in careers that help others. We know that was important to Tim."
The scholarship recipients will be chosen by the board of directors of the Timothy L. Correll Foundation, Inc. and will be judged on the students' potential to succeed, desire to complete their education, desire to make a positive impact on the community and financial need. The first half of the scholarship will be awarded at graduation ceremonies (or Scholarship Recognition Programs - as determined by the winning recipients' school district) and the second half after the student completes the first semester of the training program.
"As I did research for the Foundation, I learned that there will be a 32 percent rise in the need for this kind of emergency personnel in the near future, especially in rural areas like ours," said Correll. "I’m sure Tim would be happy to know that some kids might get the resources they need for this kind of training."
The Foundation and scholarships are based on donations and fundraising activities. Correll said they hope to eventually add grants for continuing training for volunteer firefighters and another scholarship for persons interested in going back for secondary education years after they’ve graduated from High School. She indicated that it is her hope that eventually the scholarship can be renewable.
(Applications and guidelines for the Timothy Correll Scholarship/s are available on-line or at the High School counselor’s office. Return the completed application and recommendations to the TLC Foundation office by Mar 10)
Char Koepp, Jordan Independent
March 2003