‘Raising the Dough’: Jiggy Ray’s presents scholarships to high school graduates
Published 8:32 am Tuesday, May 30, 2017
Star Photo/Curtis Carden Jiggy Ray's of Downtown Elizabethton presented five $500 scholarships to graduating senior from each of the local high schools in Carter County. Pictured (from left) are Jiggy Ray's co-owner John "Bull" Malone, Sara Walser of Hampton, Jacob Lee Marshall of Happy Valley, Cara Peters of Unaka, Luke White of Elizabethton High and Jiggy Ray's co-owner John Seehorn. Not pictured is James Arwood of Cloudland.
Cara Peters
Sara Walser
Luke White
Jacob Lee Marshall
James Arwood's mother and father accepted the scholarship on his behalf.
Thankful for the outpouring of support from over the years, one local restaurant wants to do its part to give back to the community.
Jiggy Ray’s Downtown Pizzeria of Elizabethton was able to accomplish their goal Sunday afternoon by presenting five $500 scholarships to one student from each of the area high schools in Carter County and Elizabethton thanks to the success of their “Raising the Dough for Education” program.
Students that received scholarships included James Arwood of Cloudland High School, Luke White of Elizabethton High School, Cara Peters of Unaka High School, Jacob Lee Marshall of Happy Valley High School and Sara Walser of Hampton High School.
“This is the most exciting day for me, probably ever since we opened,” said Jiggy Ray’s co-owner John “Bull” Malone said. “Being able to truly help somebody is what it’s all about. We’ve been so fortunate. This community has taken care of us and it’s our duty to give back.”
Being able to contribute to various high schools in the area also meant a lot, according to fellow co-owner John Seehorn.
“Being able to do this for each school was the best I think,” Seehorn said. “When we were talking about it, it could have been easy to just do one big scholarship for a student. But we wanted to make sure every school was represented. As we start this again for next year, we hope we can do more.”
Jiggy Ray’s was able to raise $2,500 thanks in part to the success of the “Raising the Dough” discount cards. The cards were sold by staff at Jiggy Ray’s and offered deals for patrons, and the cost of the card went directly toward developing a scholarship fund for area high school students.
During the presentation ceremony, Seehorn took a moment to thank each staff member of Jiggy Ray’s for contributing to the initiative and the work in selling the cards.
In the inaugural year, Malone said they allowed the schools to make the decision of selecting a student to receive the scholarship.
“This year, we gave the schools the option,” Malone said. “Next year, as we grow, we may look at adding some criteria. Something like for small business, entrepreneurship, music … this year, we just let the schools decide.”
The students will be going to different postsecondary schools throughout the region, including East Tennessee State University, Carson-Newman, University of Tennessee – Knoxville and Northeast State Community College.
With the first round of scholarships now out of the way, Jiggy Ray’s is gearing up for next year’s scholarship fund. The public is encouraged to purchase cards now. The cost of a card is $20 and allows patrons to receive a free salad or appetizer and receive 20 percent off a pizza.
For more information on the program or to purchase a card, be sure to visit the restaurant during business hours, visit the Jiggy Ray’s Downtown Pizzeria Facebook page online or call (423) 518-1500.
