FROM STAFF REPORTS

HELENA–The National Law Enforcement & Firefighters Children’s Foundation (NLEAFCF) announced Jeri Borders of Helena as a recipient of the NLEAFCF Scholarship.

Borders received the scholarship in recognition of her exceptional leadership, community service and scholastic achievement.

Borders was one of 28 students from across the country to receive the award, which is based on a combination of academic merit and financial need. The recipients are all children of a law enforcement officer or firefighter who was killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty.

“First responders have given so much to defend and protect us. How better to honor their commitment to all of us than to ensure that their children achieve their full potential,” NLEAFCF President and founder Al Kahn said. “Helping to better pay for their college and complete their higher education is the least we can do to honor these law enforcement and firefighters’ families. Jeri has demonstrated leadership among her peers and exceptional scholastic achievements as well as contributing her time and energy to community service. We are proud to be a part of helping Jeri achieve her academic goals.”

Borders is a junior at the University of Alabama majoring in Human Performance Exercise Science and minoring in Spanish. Upon graduation, she hopes to become a physical therapist.

In high school, Borders was the cheerleading captain and choreographer, also competing in track and field, tennis and gymnastics. She was a Girl Scouts Gold Award recipient, a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, a member of Top Teens, Inc., and the National Beta Club.

Additionally, Borders volunteered with the Renewal House and with Lake Providence Missionary Baptist Church, spending more than 1,000 hours tutoring, cooking and student teaching.

Border’s father was a Sheriff Warrants Officer for Davidson County when he passed away while in the line of duty.

The National Law Enforcement & Firefighters Children’s Foundation is dedicated to helping the children of law enforcement officers and firefighters lost or permanently disabled in the line of duty.

Through grants, college scholarships and family-friendly events, the NLEAFCF serves the needs of these children across the country regardless of how long ago or how recent their loss. The Foundation’s long-term commitment is a promise to the people who defend and protect us, a major investment in our nation’s future and in tomorrow’s heroes.

For more information on the NLEAFCF, visit Nleafcf.org.