FCPS Adult And Community Education Students Awarded $1K Scholarships

FAIRFAX, VA — Two students enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools' Adult and Community Education program each received $1,000 scholarships for their spring 2023 classes.

Darlene Wilcher and Miguel Anco, who are students in ACE's apprenticeship track, each received a scholarship from the Adult and Community Education Training and Scholarship Foundation, according to a release.

“I hope to have my own plumbing company one day, but I know I need more training. The scholarship will allow me to keep learning and gaining the experience I need,” said Wilcher, who is starting her third year in the plumbing apprenticeship program.“FCPS ACE’s hybrid class schedule works for me. 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.”

FCPS ACE students are eligible to receive scholarships of up to $1,000 per session to be used in one of the four study tracks: Apprenticeship, Health and Medical, Business and Computer, or English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL).

This spring, scholarship recipient Miguel Anco will be taking his third course in ACE's electrical apprenticeship track.

“The electrical trade is changing every day with innovations in technology and new codes, mandates, and regulations that need to be followed," he said, in a release. "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. I want to prove to myself what I can accomplish. I know an FCPS ACE education can help me do that.”

The foundation awarded 14 scholarships for the 2023 spring semester. FCPS ACE students can email: acefoundation@fcps.edu to learn more about scholarship opportunities. Applications for the fall 2023 scholarships will be open in June.