Ryan and Jessica Jones have come up with a new way to award graduating seniors at Union County High School.  “The purpose of the scholarship is to award high school seniors with a financial gift that allows them to obtain a want or need while also paying it forward to someone else,” Jessica said.  She spoke of her and Ryan’s vision to give back to the community. “Together, our family represents six generations in the Union County area. In the past year, this community has wrapped its loving arms around our family and pulled us through some pretty tough times. There is no other way to say thank you to them than to give back. Ultimately, as we are both public service employees, our ultimate goal is to encourage the next generation to give back as well. Therefore, we decided to give back the money that I receive as an elected official on the board of education for the UCCCJSD to high school seniors. We are doing this through a new scholarship that we created called the "Pay it Forward Patriots Scholarship." 

“This scholarship is a no-strings-attached scholarship. Everyone is eligible regardless of class standing, grade point average, or future goals… It allows for students to receive recognition for hard work regardless of their class standing. We recognize that every student has a unique ability to contribute to society, regardless of their GPA. When Ryan graduated from Union County High School in 1996 he had already enlisted in the United States Marine Corps as a junior. A scholarship like this one would've allowed him to buy a new pair of running shoes to make it through boot camp. When I graduated from Union County High School in 1996, I immediately began working for the National Football League, specifically the Indianapolis Colts. I could've used this scholarship for gas money to and from Indianapolis for my job.”

Four applicants applied and four scholarships were awarded. The recipients of the first ever Pay it Forward Patriots scholarships were Jayden Cunningham, Brooke Fields, Carly McCashland, and Ben Tom. They picked up a very easy application at the school guidance office. They answered three very easy questions. What would you use this money for? Are you kind? Give an example of your kindness. And lastly, how would you pay it forward?  Brooke Fields said toward lunch accounts in the UCHS cafeteria, Ben Tom toward Every Kid Sports, Jayden Cunningham to the Animal Humane Society, Carly McCashland to Ayla's Closet.

This benevolence has already begun to pay itself forward. The morning after the scholarship announcement, Jessica received a message from a couple saying, "You have inspired us to do something next year, too." Ryan and Jessica hope to continue growing the scholarship each year, and have big plans for the future.  As Jessica said, “The best way to secure our future is to invest in our youth.”