Updated Dec. 16.
HUMBOLDT — Helen Kenny’s first two years at college were a disaster.
“I actually hated it there,” she said. “I found it to be super unfriendly. I think I had such high expectations college was going to be amazing, and it didn’t meet them whatsoever.”
Instead of giving up, Kenny took a break and started anew elsewhere.
The experiences likely explain why Kenny is a good fit as director of The Humboldt Promise, a program geared toward seeing Humboldt High School graduates have a chance at college.
If accepted, students receive up to $50,000 in tuition assistance to attend the institution of their choice, whether it be a technical school, college or university, in or out of state.
The program is funded by The Works Family Foundation, established by Humboldt’s Joe and Janie Works.
Kenny is an employee of both USD 258 and the Foundation, with the Foundation paying the larger share of her salary.
Kenny also wears the hat of post-secondary success coach, which means she spends time with students discussing their hopes and dreams for their futures and how a post-secondary education could play a role.
“We talk about what they hope to get from continuing their education, so it gives them more of a picture of the value of the scholarships.
“The dream scenario would be to carry the program forward a second generation, when these students’ children will want to continue their education because of their parents’ experiences,” she said.
