Three deserving seniors were honored recently with college scholarships from Junior Auxiliary of Taney County (JATC). JATC provided a $1000 non-renewable scholarship to a graduating senior at each of the following Taney County high schools. This year’s recipients were: Anna Thomason, Branson; Macy Sanders, Forsyth; and Dylan Hunt, Hollister. Selection of these recipients was based primarily on volunteer service to their communities, above and beyond any school requirements, in addition to academic accomplishments and personal recommendations.

A fourth $1000 ScholarCare renewable scholarship award available for up to four years was presented to a graduating senior who can benefit from the money as well as a little extra personal encouragement and care packages that JATC members provide monthly throughout the year. This year Gemma Reding, Forsyth was selected to receive this award based on personal essays and recommendations accompanying her application. We are also proud to announce that four more students Kayli Nimmo, Bryce Reinke, and Cooper Saxton, all of Branson, and Kylie Calhoun of Forsyth were able to renew their $1000 ScholarCare awards. Kayli commented “Thank you for all the support throughout this year. It truly means a lot!”

This year we added a new “Joan Anderson Memorial Scholarship” in honor of Life Member Joan Anderson who passed away May, 2022. Joan was very involved in JATC and served as Treasurer, Vice President, President, Ex Officio. One of her favorite projects was Scholarship/ScholarCare. With the help of Joan’s family, we added this $1,000 scholarship for a student interested in pursuing a career in Business, I.T., or Accounting.

JATC is proud to be able to provide support and encouragement to these students as they pursue their education and move into adulthood. These Scholarships and Scholarcare Awards are just one of the many projects and services offered in Taney County by the members of JATC. More information about the organization and its projects is available on the website, JATCMO.org.

JATC is more than a nonprofit organization, it’s a group of women united by a single cause and dedicated to helping the children of Taney County. That’s the magic of JATC. It was chartered by a group of caring, enthusiastic women in 1998 and continues to grow and thrive throughout Taney County. Approximately 50 members annually contribute more than 4,000 volunteer hours as they strive to improve the mental, physical, social and emotional well-being of children in Taney County.

JATC is part of the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries (NAJA), a non-profit organization founded in 1941 with headquarters in Greenville, Mississippi. NAJA has more than 15,500 active, associate and life members in nearly 100 chapters located in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee. Their slogan is “Caring Hearts—Helping Hands—Changing Lives”.

More information on JATC can be found on the Junior Auxiliary website JATCMO.ORG, their Facebook page, Junior Auxiliary of Taney County or via email at jatcmo@gmail.com.

Published by: Branson Globe, Friday, May 26, 2023; Branson TriLakes News, June 3, 2023