Anderson Oconee Pickens

First-Ever TRiO Cookbook to Feature Recipes from Great Tri-County Cooks

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 11/3/2005
(By Lisa Garrett)

PENDLETON --- The TRiO Programs (Educational Talent Search, Student Support Services, Upward Bound) at Tri-County Technical College are collecting recipes and some of the stories behind them from all of the great cooks in Anderson, Oconee and Pickens counties to be featured in first-ever TRiO Cookbook.

Proceeds from the cookbook will benefit the Bobby J. Randolph TRiO Programs Scholarship Fund. The scholarship was established to assist first-generation and low-income participants with the ever-increasing cost of attending college and to honor former TRiO Director Randolph, who was paralyzed in an accident at his home. Under Randolph's leadership (1987 until his retirement in 1997), TRiO grew into one of the College's most important services to students and is designed to provide educational opportunities for all Americans, regardless of race, ethnic background or economic circumstances. Since 1978, TRiO has provided supportive services including tutoring, counseling, financial aid and college admissions assistance, and cultural enrichment to over 20,000 first-generation and low-income students.

In the past two years, six TRiO students have received $500 each to help with their college expenses. "This fundraiser will serve as a mechanism to raise additional funds that will allow us to provide more scholarships for our participants,” said Elaine Scott Mattison, director of the TRiO programs.

The cookbook will combine family recipes with information about TRiO program services, she said. "Our goal is to capture the culture of the region with recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation and those you have made uniquely your own," said Scott-Mattison. The categories are desserts, casseroles, breads, appetizers, meats, poultry, soups, pasta dishes, salads, beverages, preserves, jam/jellies and relishes. "If you are reluctant to share your recipe because you don't want to reveal a secret ingredient, submit the recipe without the secret," she added.

To contribute your favorite recipe simply submit your recipe to
TRiO Cookbook
c/o Rachael Doss
Tri-County Technical College
P. O. Box 587
Pendleton, SC 29670

Deadline for the entries is November 30. The cookbook will be available for purchase at the beginning of next year.

Currently, the TRiO Programs serve more than 850 students. Specifically, Talent Search is funded to serve 650 at 6 middle and 13 high schools. Primarily known for college admissions and financial aid assistance, Talent Search also provides personal and career counseling as well as tutoring and mentoring. Upward Bound serves 76 high school students at 11 high schools and provides instruction in English, Spanish, science and math. Student Support Services, the college-based program, provides counseling, tutoring, and transfer assistance to more than 150 participants.