Rowan Crosby Scholars’ fifth BBQ, Bands & Boots fundraiser on Sept. 28 was a celebration of the program’s six-year history and a gathering of the community that has supported its mission of building a college-going culture in Rowan County.

Guests were greeted by dozens of high school Crosby Scholars as they entered the F&M Trolley Barn. They enjoyed Jim ‘n’ Nicks smoked barbecued pork, chicken and side dishes, while grooving to the live music of The Trail Blazers and Austin McNeill duo.

Top-shelf bourbon was served from the back of a vintage blue Bronco.

Guests could compete in a game of Heads & Tails and corn hole. All through the evening, a large screen displayed the program’s success stories and dozens of photos of smiling graduates currently attending college and benefiting from a Last Dollar Grant.

Proceeds from BBQ, Bands & Boots support Crosby Scholars’ Last Dollar Grant program, which helps offset unmet financial need for college-going Crosby Scholars. The program has graduated 690 seniors since 2016 and awarded more than $450,000 in Last Dollar Grants to students attending more than 50 colleges and universities across the country.

Crosby Scholars is a free college access program available to all Rowan County public school students beginning in sixth grade and continuing through high school graduation. The program helps students prepare academically, personally and financially for college and for life.

Tenth grade is the last chance for a student to join the program.

The online application, as well as more information on the program and its mission and how to become involved, is at www.crosbyscholarsrowan.org.