On January 22, 2007, when Murphy Oil Corporation introduced the El Dorado Promise, the true impact on the El Dorado School District was not fully grasped, even by the then President of Murphy Oil, Claiborne Deming. Over the 17 years since the announcement, more than 3,544 graduates from El Dorado High School have availed themselves of the Promise, utilizing the scholarship at 169 schools across 37 states.
In the recent week, students district-wide came together to celebrate Promise Week, one of the many occasions during the year dedicated to acknowledging the incredible opportunities available to ESD students. Throughout the week, students and staff took time to reflect on the possibilities that have been made available to them by the Promise and its significance to both ESD and the community.
Elementary students learned where their classroom teachers/staff went to college and about their college experience. Junior high students worked in groups to find out the tuition cost of various colleges and how much each recipient would have to pay. Graduates of the Promise who are now educators in the district spoke to classes about how the Promise has positively influenced their lives. Students expressed their gratitude through essays, thank-you letters to Murphy Oil Corporation, and artistic creations.
For glimpses into the activities of our students, visit each school's Facebook page!
The El Dorado Promise represents a comprehensive, location-based scholarship, ensuring that any student who completes high school in the ESD after attending from the 9th to 12th grade is eligible for a college scholarship. Studies conducted by the Office of Education Policy (OEP) at the University of Arkansas revealed that the ESD has fostered a "college-going culture," where discussions about college start early in a student's education, framed not as "if" but "when" they will attend college. The El Dorado Promise takes pride in contributing to what "Every Student Deserves" in ESD.
For additional information about the El Dorado Promise Scholarship, contact the El Dorado Promise office at 870-864-5128 or Tiffany.Hurley@esd-15.org.