Student Now Has More Funds to Attend TJC

TYLER — Last month we had a report about a high school student who got a big tip working at a Henderson County Restaurant. She now has even more money for her college education. While working at Vetoni’s Italian Restaurant in Gun Barrel City, a customer overheard 18 year old Alesha Palmer talking about going to Tyler Junior College in the fall. She was talking about how her parents were going to try to help pay her tuition and fees. The customer who overheard her left her a $1,000 tip. Now, Alesha has an additional $1,000 for college. TJC President Dr. Mike Metke has transfered $1,000 from the President’s Circle fund, a discretionary pool of donations from TJC friends and alumni, to her account when she registers in the fall..

When Palmer received her big tip, she began crying in the middle of the restaurant. She was serving a couple she knew and they asked about her college plans. She says she told them her parents would be helping her pay for it. Another customer who was seated nearby got up to leave and approached the restaurant owner. She says after he left, she asked if everything was all right and her boss showed her the receipt with the huge tip from the man, who asked to remain anonymous.

Palmer was surprised surprised again on May 18th as she began her shift at the restaurant. She received a check for $1,000. The check was presented to her by Dr. Juan Mejia, TJC Provost and Vice President of Student Affairs; and Mitch Andrews, Interim Executive Director of Institutional Advancement and the TJC Foundation. Store managers and employees joined in the celebration. Palmer says she plans to major in business at TJC, then pursue a career in culinary arts.