BAY SPRINGS — The Jasper County Board of Supervisors and Jones County Junior College officials unveiled a historic opportunity designed to assist high school graduates in furthering their education.

For the first time in JCJC history, a county board of supervisors has entered into partnership with the junior college to offer every graduating high school senior in Jasper County the opportunity to attend JCJC.

JCJC President Dr. Jesse Smith announced Monday the Jasper County Board of Supervisors are investing in the county’s future by offering students tuition-free enrollment.

Among those taking part in the historical announcement — which was held at the Bay Springs City Hall in conjunction with the Bay Springs Rotary Club meeting — were Jasper County Supervisors, state and elected officials from cities in Jasper County, school superintendents from all of the Jasper County schools, along with principals and student representatives, JCJC administrators and trustees, select community/business officials and Rotary Club members.

Because of the Board of Supervisors’ investment, every high school senior in Jasper County will have the opportunity to attend college.

The new tuition guarantee program begins with the high school graduates of the class of 2010.

Students from Bay Springs High School, Heidelberg High School, Stringer Attendance Center, Heidelberg Academy and Sylva Bay Academy are all eligible.

Smith said to be eligible for the program, students must submit a JCJC general admissions application and a federal financial aid (FAFSA) application by May 1, 2010. He said the various scholarships offered to students would also be honored.

However, students must maintain a grade point average of 2.5 to keep the tuition scholarship, which is limited to five semesters.

Jasper County Beat Five Supervisor Curtis Gray, vice president of the board, said the supervisors decreased their individual budgets by 10 percent and also asked each county department to decrease their budget by 10 percent to help fund the new initiative.

“We did what we thought was right for our young people,” Gray said. “It’s a way of investing in our young people’s future.”

Beat Three Supervisor Lonnie Thigpen agreed.

“This is something we really believe in,” he said. “We have people every day looking for a job. With this program, we hope it will improve the job market and the number of trained/qualified workers in Jasper County. ...This will help us to employ local people.”

Beat Four Supervisor Johnny Rowell, president of the board, said the supervisors “are putting our money where our mouth is. We are concerned about the young people, so we are doing something to make a difference.”

Officials applauded the board of supervisors for their efforts.