Annual LITE Scholarship luncheon
Students with special needs are a common fixture on the Amarillo College campus. The Living Independently Through Education Scholarship, given annually to students with disabilities, helps those students attend college.
From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, the annual LITE Scholarship luncheon will be hosted at the Amarillo Civic Center Heritage Room. Tickets cost $15 if purchased in advance or $20 at the door. Proceeds from the event go toward this scholarship to benefit students who are challenged daily because of their disabilities. It helps pay for tuition, fees, books, supplies, special equipment and any other expenses.
According to www.actx.edu, 450 students with special needs are attending Amarillo College, and the average cost of tuition is around $750 - not including extra costs such as books and other necessities.
Since 2002, 169 students have been awarded the LITE Scholarship, and more than $71,000 has been given to disabled students attending AC.
This year’s luncheon will feature two speakers who are AC students with disabilities who have benefited from the LITE Scholarship program: Jacob Marquez and Jeff Weiss.
Their speeches will tell how their educational experiences have been affected by their disabilities and how the LITE Scholarship has helped them pursue their educational and career goals.
Marquez is a radio-TV major with cerebral palsy. He plans to attend West Texas A&M University after he graduates from AC.
Weiss is a general studies major who is blind. He also plans to attend WTAMU and pursue a law degree. Both students have over a 3.0 grade point average.
The luncheon also will include a silent auction and vendor booths.
The silent auction will include a Nintendo Wii, an electronic scooter, a ZipSki, a cooler filled with fishing tackle, tickets to Six Flags, Wonderland, Splash, the Amarillo Symphony, the Amarillo Opera and the Lone Star Ballet, a ride in a hot air balloon and wine and cheese.
Gift certificates to Samuel’s Jewelers, Raffkind’s, Jump-N-Jive, Toot’N Totum, and Marketstreet United, among other stores and shops, also will be auctioned.
The vendor booths will include 14 local health care providers that will be handing out information.
AC’s president, Dr. Steven Jones, will give the welcoming remarks, and Mayor Debra McCartt will declare April 8 as LITE Day. Channel 10’s Matt Leblanc will serve as the master of ceremonies.
La Fiesta will cater enchiladas for the meal, and Chik-fil-a will provide dessert. AC’s Blue Blazers will serve the luncheon’s guests.
AC’s Jazz choir, Past to Present, will provide entertainment.
The Amarillo Advisory Commission for People with Disabilities started the LITE Scholarship program in 2003.
Tickets can be purchased by calling Kathy Roth at 371-5105.
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