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In order to assist the Henderson County Public Schools’ effort to create a teaching and administrative staff that is consistent with the racial diversity of the student body, the HCEF Board of Directors initiated the Grow Our Own Educational Assistance Fund in partnership with a community coalition (members include: Henderson County NAACP, El Centro – Latino Advocacy Center, local churches, HCPS Teaching as a Profession teachers, and private citizens) and individual and corporate donors in the Spring of 2021.

While open to anyone, this scholarship hopes to recruit Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) students (current and former) interested in a career in education, to train, develop and prepare to return to Henderson County to join the public school workforce. This scholarship also recruits current HCPS staff (teaching assistant, support personnel, etc.) interested in a career in education, school counseling or social work to train, develop and remain in Henderson County and serve in the education workforce.

Recipient Highlight: Johanna Bosch-Diaz

Johanna Bosch-Diaz is a recipient of the Grow our Own scholarship in 2022. She was working at Hillandale Elementary School as an instructional assistant and attending online classes at Grand Canyon University.

The Grow Our Own Program is a good opportunity to help teachers fulfill financial obligations without sacrificing valuable time.

Following her graduation, Bosch-Diaz was hired in January 2024 as a full time English as a Second Language teacher at East Henderson High School, becoming the first Grow our Own scholarship winner to finish college and begin working as a certified teacher in the district.

Currently, there are six recipients of the Grow Our Own scholarship program who are actively pursuing their educational goals.