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Congratulatory signs lined the front of the Davie Campus of Davidson-Davie Community College last Monday morning as 143 students returned to campus through the Ignite Davie College Promise.

Fifty-three students from the Class of 2020 and 90 from the Class of 2021 chose to take advantage of the College Promise this fall. They are working on certificates, diplomas, and college transfer classes as they begin the new school year.

“We are excited by the increase in students participating in Ignite Davie,” said Carolyn McManamy, director of Davie Connect. “A 26 percent increase is fantastic and even more than we expected for the second year of the Promise. We think it shows that many Davie families understand the value of Ignite Davie.”

Ignite Davie is providing last dollar scholarships to pay tuition and fees with a stipend of up to $250 per semester for books for eligible students. Students who live in Davie County and attend school in Davie County are eligible. Ignite Davie is playing an instrumental role in preparing students for their future careers and at the same time is saving these students and their parents thousands of dollars in tuition and fees.

“We are not only investing in our students but also in Davie County,” McManamy said. “Ignite Davie will strengthen our workforce, improve high school graduation rates, attract young families to move here, create a competitive advantage for businesses and industries with a well-trained workforce, and increase the tax base leading to a better quality of life for everyone.

“You can be part of the change that Ignite Davie is sparking in the community by investing in our kids,” she said. “It will take true community-wide support to secure the dollars needed to endow the program for future generations of Davie students.”

Ignite Davie has secured $2 million of its $3 million goal. Contributions can be made through IGNITEDAVIE.com/Donate.

For more information, visit www.ignitedavie.com or contact Carolyn McManamy at 336-753-6670.