Darton state concert raises scholarship money

Grammy award winning country artist, Travis Tritt, performed at Darton State College to help raise scholarship money for deserving students.

Fans lined up outside anxiously waiting to hear Grammy Award winning artist,Travis Tritt. Priscilla Boren and her 13-year-old granddaughter, Harley, showed up at 6 o'clock.

"We were the first in line, got our ticket and we're so excited about being here," said Priscilla Boren, Travis Tritt fan.

Crews worked around the clock since Thursday setting up for the concert. News of the concert caught Boren by surprise.

"I was watching the news tonight and they were talking about Darton was having a concert, Travis Tritt and I went, what," said Boren.

The Darton State College Foundation partnered with DOCO Credit Union for the concert to raise scholarship money for deserving students.

"Students that may not be able to afford college education or anything like that, 100% of every ticket sold is going to cover that," said Austin Mcalpin, promoter.

Incoming freshman with a 3.0 grade point average are eligible for the Dean's Scholar Award which helps to pay for tuition and fees. Last year, the foundation gave out more than $300,000 in scholarships. They say the only way they can continue awarding deserving students is with the support from the community.

"These are your next people that are going to be your next business leaders, your next investment banker, your CEO, your president," said Toni Smith with the Darton State College Foundation. "They've got to start somewhere so why not start them here."

Boren says she's glad she could be a part of a great cause.

"It's a great college and it's great for Albany, Ga," said Boren.

Foundation officials won't know how much money they've collected for the scholarship until the end of the concert. They're working on future projects for the Fall along with their gala in May which is their main annual fundraiser.