Current seniors and future graduates of Arkadelphia High School join graduates of El Dorado High School in being the beneficiaries of a powerful promise: college scholarships, opportunity, a great chance to create a great future.

The Arkadelphia Promise Scholarship, announced last week, is funded by the Ross Foundation and Southern Bancorp. The program will pay students eligible for Arkansas Lottery scholarships the balance of their college tuition and fees.

The Ross Foundation and Southern Bancorp, like Murphy Oil Corp., which established the El Dorado Promise almost four years ago, are making dreams come true for students. And as a not insignificant byproduct, they are enhancing, through education, the economic development potential of the entire state.

As Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said in a congratulatory video: “You are the Mighty Badgers.”