Education group receives grant

Choosing what route to take after high school can be a difficult decision especially considering it will shape your future in education. A national fast food chain has made that process a little easier by donating money to a local education organization that helps students make best choice.

The Marquette Alger College Access Network or MACAN was presented with a $5,000 check from the Taco Bell Foundation For Teens earlier today to help fund a program that will give students in Marquette and Alger counties a better idea of what they want to pursue in post secondary education.

“They’re going to present a check to us for hands on activities for kids in Marquette and Alger counties at the Jacobetti complex at NMU, to learn skilled trades to get an idea of what they might want to do for a career later on,” Marquette Alger College Access Network Coordinator Frannie Belton said.

MACAN’s objective is to help students further their path towards higher education, and give them the tools necessary to get the job done.

“It teaches them how to apply for  school, teaches them that it’s even available to them,” Marquette County Community Foundation Chief Operating Officer Gail Anthony said. “Sometimes we take that for granted in larger communities, that you know everyone’s just going to go to college. And sometimes we forget that there’s students that don’t see that in their future, and so this program helps students to under that it’s available to them as well.”

MACAN’s goal is to have 60 percent of Marquette and Alger County residents achieve a postsecondary degree or valuable credential by the year 2025.