A dinner at the Mountain Crest Inn on Monday, October 5, will memorialize the late educator Jesse Denton and will help support the scholarship program founded in his name.  The dinner, followed by a short program, will begin at 6:00 p.m. 

Tennessee Claims Commissioner Bill Shults, a close friend of Denton, will keynote the event.  Linda Branam, well-known educator and Denton's colleague on the Cocke County Election Commission, will emcee.  Takeout dinners will be available beginning at 5:00 p.m. for persons who would like to participate but cannot stay for the program.

The Denton Scholarships help Cocke County adult education students seek education and training beyond high school.  Scholarships totaling $10,000 have been awarded since the program began in May 2005. 

In addition to the address by Commissioner Shults, the evening will include several "Jesse stories," a variety of door prizes, and a brief report on the scholarship program.  Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance at the Cocke County Adult Education Center, 423-613-0032, or from Bryan Douglas, Betty Jo Ford, Vella Calfee, Wilbur West, Janyce Westerman, Linda Branam, or Lonnie Butler.  The price per ticket is $20.

"We'll have a fine dinner that Jesse himself would have enjoyed," Douglas, who succeeded Denton as Cocke County Director of Adult Education, said.  Meats will include roast beef and catfish, plus vegetables, salad, desserts, and drinks.  "Jesse's birthday was October 10, and we try to have the scholarship dinner as nearly as possible to that time," Douglas said.  "He was locally famous for a prolonged celebration of his birthday.  His friends and colleagues took him to a series of lunches and dinners lasting about a month or more."

Denton died in September 2004 at age 57, and the first scholarships in his name were awarded the following spring.  Adult students who complete high school through the Cocke County GED program or the Adult High School are eligible.

The scholarships are a charitable non-profit program, and contributions can be tax deductible.  Persons who would like to support the scholarships but cannot attend the dinner can contribute directly to the fund's account at the National Bank of Tennessee, made to The Jesse Denton Memorial Scholarship Fund, or at the Cocke County Adult Education Program, Dr. Hobart Ford Sr. Adult Education Center, 241 Hedrick Drive, Newport (telephone 423-613-0032).  Information about the program and about applying for scholarships can also be obtained from the Adult Education Center.