Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Adult and Community Education (ACE) recently announced two of its Adult and Community Education Training and Scholarship Foundation recipients for spring 2023 classes.
Darlene Wilcher and Miguel Anco, both students in the Apprenticeship track, have been awarded financial support for the upcoming session.
Darlene Wilcher, who will be starting her third year of the FCPS ACE plumbing apprenticeship this spring, is one of the many students empowered by the program.
“I hope to have my own plumbing company one day, but I know I need more training,” she said. “The scholarship will allow me to keep learning and gaining the experience I need.”
“FCPS ACE’s hybrid class schedule works for me,” Wilcher said. “Without the class hours I earn at FCPS ACE, I would have to wait 10 years before I could be a licensed plumber. Ultimately, I want to show my children you can achieve whatever you want regardless of your gender.”
Miguel Anco is another FCPS ACE scholarship recipient. He will be taking his third course under the Electrical Apprenticeship track this spring.
“The electrical trade is changing every day with innovations in technology and new codes, mandates and regulations that need to be followed,” Anco said. “I want to expand my education as much as I can so I can educate myself and also guide my customers and clients through the whole process of a project.”
“I am already taking on some independent work, but I know I will be able to do even more once I have my Master Electrician’s license,” he added. “I want to prove to myself what I can accomplish. I know an FCPS ACE education can help me do that.”
FCPS Adult and Community Education Training and Scholarship Foundation recipients can receive up to $1,000 per session. Scholarships can be used for one of four study tracks: Apprenticeship; Health and Medical; Business and Computer; or English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL).
“We want to congratulate Darlene and Miguel for all they have achieved already,” said Paul Steiner, administrator of the Adult and Community Education program.
“Scholarships are another way we try to help our students meet their goals,” Steiner said. “We prepare students for their next step, whether they want to explore a new career path, gain valuable technical training, or advance in a field they love.”
The foundation awarded a total of 14 scholarships for this spring. Students interested in learning more about scholarship opportunities should e-mail acefoundation@fcps.edu.Applications for fall 2023 scholarships will be open in June 2023.
For information on the Adult and Community Education initiative, see the Website at www.aceclasses.fcps.edu.
