ROANOKE TIMES

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, October 14, 1995                   TAG: 9510170013
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium


BANK TO INVEST IN KIDS' FUTURES

School Superintendent Wayne Harris' dream of helping some Roanoke students get a college education is beginning to take shape.

Central Fidelity Bank will contribute $50,000 to a new program to encourage college attendance among academically promising youngsters who are unlikely to continue their education without tutoring, financial aid or other assistance.

Monty Plymale, southwestern region president for the Richmond-based bank holding company, said Friday that the bank will provide the money over a five-year period for the Partners for Success program.

"We think that it is a wise investment," he said, adding that it is part of Central Fidelity's commitment to spend $1 million annually on Virginia's education system by the year 2000.

Harris said First Union Bank and several other businesses in the Roanoke Valley also have agreed to help support the program.

At a news conference where Central Fidelity's contribution was announced, Harris also said the program will be expanded to include students in Salem and Roanoke County.

Salem Superintendent Wayne Tripp and Roanoke County Superintendent Deanna Gordon said they expect their school systems to join.

"Nontraditional students need encouragement to go to college. I believe this program will help do that," Tripp said.

Roanoke College, Hollins College and Virginia Western Community College will guarantee admission to students in the Partners for Success program who graduate from high school and meet entrance requirements. They also will provide financial aid to cover up to 70 percent of the cost of tuition, fees and other expenses for qualifying students.

Harris said the school system will use the contributions from businesses to help cover the remaining 30 percent of the college costs, up to $2,000 per student. The program is similar to one that Harris helped administer when he was an area superintendent in Fairfax County, before he came to Roanoke.

The program, which began this year, now includes 65 Roanoke eighth-graders who have shown academic promise but were unlikely to attend college. Some have experienced behavioral problems and are in the city's alternative education program. Most of their parents did not go to college.

The program will provide summer sessions on the college campuses, tutors, financial aid, mentors and medical assistance for the students.

The students will participate in the summer sessions each year until they graduate from high school. Summer offerings will include academic enrichment courses and financial planning.

Harris said students must maintain a 2.5 grade-point average with no D's or F's. They must meet the requirements for an academic diploma and take the Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test during their sophomore year and the Scholastic Assessment Test during their junior year.

Parents will be required to participate in some activities with students. Mentors will be provided to ease the transition to college for those who decide to enroll.



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