SCHOLAR — Taylor Steeves, chair of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors Club Anita Jackson Scholarship Committee, handed a check for a $500 scholarship award to non-traditional student Alex “Cookie” West. Joining the two in her Steubenville office was Chamber President Emily Byers. — Christopher Dacanay

STEUBENVILLE — Having expanded its scholarship program to include non-traditional students, the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors Club is helping a local woman further her education.

Alex “Cookie” West has been awarded the Ambassadors’ first scholarship for non-traditional students, or those already in the workforce seeking to further their education.

West’s $500 award comes through the Anita Jackson Scholarship program, which is funded through the Ambassadors’ yearly Burger Bash event. Prior to the non-traditional student expansion, the program regularly produced two $1,000 scholarships per year for service-oriented Jefferson County high school students planning to pursue postsecondary education.

Taylor Steeves, owner of Taylor Insurance & Financial Services, chairs the committee of Ambassadors who select each year’s scholarship winners.

“Our Burger Bash, where the funds are raised, has always done really well,” Steeves said. “It’s not easy or common for scholarships to be readily available for someone who’s already in the workforce and has already left school. Whether it be for someone wanting to go back to school, someone needing (continuing education units), someone just wanting to better their education — we wanted something accessible out there, especially for chamber members, to grow their education.”

The non-traditional student scholarship is available to all chamber members or employees of chamber members.

The scholarship’s namesake, the late Anita Jackson, was a longtime member of the Ambassadors Club, which functions as the chamber’s volunteer arm.

Jackson died Sept. 22, 2016, at the age of 73, following a life of service for the betterment of her community. In addition to her work in administration at Franciscan University of Steubenville, Jackson served on numerous boards and was an active leader at the Adena United Methodist Church.

West, who earned her bachelor’s degree from Franciscan in 2002, said she was familiar with Jackson, and to receive a scholarship in her name is “an honor.”

Working as an employment and community navigator for the Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities, West is a chamber member through her employer, as well as through her nonprofit, the Lee Alexander West Spiritual Movement.

West said the scholarship will contribute toward her pursuit of a certificate in Christian Counseling from the National Association of Christian Counselors.

Through her job — and biweekly volunteering at the Sycamore Youth Center, where she’s a board member — West connects with many “diverse communities,” including children, adults and families. She believes the new certificate will help her develop skills that expand her capacity to help others.

“I feel like this information will give me more to offer to people and to help them navigate through crises and challenges, to live much more healthy and balanced lives,” West said, adding later: “Personally, I know the Bible is a book of wisdom, hope and love, and I feel like more people would benefit from having that knowledge and that understanding.”

West said the certificate would help her branch out into counseling on a contractual basis, if she decided on that route.

The Ambassadors are still accepting applications for the two high school student scholarships, worth $1,000 each. Applicants must have at least a 2.5 GPA and 60 service hours — a nod to Jackson’s passion for community service. The deadline to apply is March 31, and individuals can do so by visiting jeffersoncountychamber.com/scholarship.

The 15th-annual Burger Bash will take place Aug. 5 to raise money for next year’s scholarships.