The stage was set at midcourt in the Garrard County High School gym Wednesday. The ceremony recognized two central Kentucky sisters and their efforts to convince peers to consider a higher education experience.
Garrard County seniors entered the gym to hear from Jayden Norris who, along with her sister Kyrin, created a TikTok video promoting the importance of filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA. Jayden just got hired as a Spanish teacher at her alma mater after graduating from EKU. “Where I am a teacher now and a recent graduate. We just kind of combined it, a younger student and a student who has left Garrard County High School to show the before and after. The benefits of filling out your FAFSA,” said Jayden Norris.
Meanwhile, Kyrin said her sister’s experience sends a message. “I see what it did for my sister. She’s a first college graduate so I know that she needed the financial help in our family. I know that it gave her that opportunity. And I see that how’s she’s graduated, she has a job, and I just look up to her and what the financial aid has done for her,” explained Kyrin Norris.
The Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education sponsored the Future TikTok Challenge. CPE President Aaron Thompson, who was a first-generation college student from Eastern Kentucky, said there needs to be more transparency about preparing for and paying for college. Thompson added currently just over 50% of Kentucky high school graduates pursue higher education.
Here's the TikTok entry by the Norris sisters:
@sydneyarnold36Garrard County High School Official Submission. Help us win! #KYFAFSA #tiktokteacher #teachersoftiktok #fyp #virtual ? this is what it look like - lucas
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