After David and Carol Burns graduated from Ashland High School in 1948, David worked at F.E. Myers and Brothers Company for 44 years. Carol worked as an aide in special education at Taft and Edison Schools. They each walked to work every day.

David was known for his frugality and was a self-taught investor. At the time of his death in 2011, he had investments set aside to fund the college education of his six grandchildren.

Although neither attended college, they realized the importance of higher education. They instilled this value in their children – all five are college graduates; four with advanced degrees.

The David and Carol Burns Scholarship assists AHS students in furthering their further education.