Virginia Head Start Association, Inc

About Virginia Head Start

Elmore Scholarships

The Virginia Head Start Association is pleased to announce that 2011 is the inaugural year for the VaHSA Elmore Scholarships.

Named in honor of Nancy Elmore, who has been an integral part of Virginia head start programs for many years, the Elmore Scholarships will provide two $500 scholarships to VAHSA member Head Start staff or parents to further their education.

Make a Donation to the Scholarship Fund

Help further the educational opportunities of our members.

2012 scholarship guidelines

Check back in early 2012 to learn about the guidelines for next year's Elmore Scholarships.

2011 scholarship recipients

L-R, Chris Austin, Shelly McClintock (director of STEP Head Start), Brandy Ferguson, Kristen Jenkins, Maxine McKinney.
L-R, Chris Austin, Shelly McClintock (director of STEP Head Start), Brandy
Ferguson, Kristen Jenkins, Maxine McKinney.

Kristen Jenkins and Brandy Ferguson, both of the STEP, Inc. Head Start program, were the first recipients of the Nancy Elmore Scholarships, awarded June 20, 2011 in Virginia Beach.

Chris Austin, VAHSA President, and Maxine McKinney, Executive Director, with Kristen Jenkins, winner of the Nancy Elmore Parent ScholarshipKristen Jenkins won in the Head Start parent category. She is a volunteer in Patrick County, VA where she has served as secretary of the parent committee, a member of the Policy Council, and the STEP Board of Directors.

“I am always available and eagerly willing to offer my assistance in anything the STEP Head Start Program needs. I consider it an honor, very educational, and an incredible experience to serve on both the Policy Council and the Board of Directors,” said Jenkins.

Kristen is a senior at Old Dominion University seeking a BS in Special Education K-12/Elementary Education K-6. She plans to complete her education and testing requirements in fall of 2011, do student teaching semester and graduate in spring 2012 with a GPA of at least 3.25. Her goal is to start teaching no later than fall of 2012.

President Chris Austin and Executive Director Maxine McKinney with Brandy Ferguson, winner of the Nancy Elmore Staff ScholarshipBrandy Ferguson began her Head Start journey as a Head Start parent in 2004. She has had four children attend the STEP Head Start program. She served as a volunteer and member of the Policy Council. In 2010, after many times applying for a job, she was hired as a teacher assistant.

“With the help of STEP and support from my family, I believe I can move up and move on with life and be able to support my children in ways that I never had growing up,” said Ferguson 

Brandy is currently working on her CDA credential and plans to enter college to obtain an associate’s degree.

The STEP program, located in Rocky Mount, VA, serves Franklin and Patrick counties. Congratulations, Kristen and Brandy!