After a successful career in the oil and gas industry, Majorie (Marge) Kercher now focuses her attention on giving back to the community by providing a spark for students to continue their educational journeys to and through college. The Tulsa, Oklahoma native has been volunteering with DSF since 2017 and has worked at both Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Early College and George Washington High School, serving alongside Jasmine Rainey, DSF College Advisor.
Marge and Jasmine have developed a close partnership which is why Marge happily started working at the George Washington High School Future Center once Jasmine became a lead advisor and transferred from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Early College campus. Marge’s day-to-day projects include data entry, editing and reviewing scholarship applications, and conducting mock interviews.
Jasmine remembers one time in particular Marge went beyond the call of duty. While preparing a student for The Daniels Fund scholarship interview, Marge spent almost 90 minutes getting him ready and making him comfortable with what can be a very nerve-wracking event.
“The student said he felt extremely confident and prepared after meeting with her. Ms. Marge’s willingness to engage and support students has helped many students on their road to college,” Jasmine recollected. The preparation paid off, as the student went on to become a Daniels Fund Scholar.
While Marge loves to travel across the country and the world, she still loves getting back to Denver so she can give her time as a DSF volunteer.
“The students keep me coming back. Whatever their backgrounds, their interests, or where they’re headed, these young people are filled with enthusiasm and passion. They inspire me,” she said.
As for why she chooses to spend her time with DSF, Marge said she believes in “the importance of education, be it traditional college or technical training.” She has seen many students go through the program, and she loves to see her impact on their success.
“If I can encourage one student to forge ahead, I feel I’ve made a difference,” she says.
Marge’s impact reaches far beyond the walls of the DSF Future Center. A student at George Washington High School named Abele recently worked with Marge to prepare for an interview for the Denver Kappa Alpha Psi Scholarship. With Marge’s help, Abele not only received the scholarship award, but also received a laptop and printer from the organization.
“I want to thank Ms. Marge for her help and feedback that she gave me during my mock interview for the Denver Kappa Alpha Psi Scholarship interview,” Abele said. “Without her feedback I don’t think I would have received the scholarship. Her feedback helped me adjust my approach to the interview, and it gave me confidence.”
If you are like Marge and would like to help make college possible for Denver’s students by joining our volunteer team, please contact volunteers@denverscholarship.org or visit https://denverscholarship.org/get-involved/volunteer/ to learn more.
