MORGANTOWN — Your Community Foundation awarded $256,350 in scholarships to 108 students for the 2020-21 academic year.
Applications were evaluated by scholarship committees comprised of more than 100 community members across north-central West Virginia.
“We are thankful to the donors who provide these important scholarship funds, as well as the volunteers who invest their time to review so many outstanding student applications,” said YCF President Patty Showers Ryan. “The pandemic has interfered with our in-person award presentations, but we will celebrate the outstanding achievements of these students regardless, and wish them continued success with their educational goals.”
Scholarship endowments require a minimum donation of $20,000, which may be achieved over a two-year period. The principal is invested and the earnings provide scholarship dollars forever. Donors may suggest award criteria, and the funds are often named in honor or memory of loved ones.
This year, YCF received more than 300 applications through its online process. Graduating high school seniors and students enrolled in post-secondary education can apply. An additional 37 students are receiving renewable scholarships — funds donors provided to help students complete their education over multiple years.
Of the 71 new scholarship recipients for the 2020-21 academic year, these are area students:
- Joycelyn A. and Robert A. Ayersman Sr. Memorial Scholarship — Laurel Williams, Preston High School
- Ernest Daniel Conaway, Raymond Guy Baker and Everett Reece Baker Memorial Scholarship — Leigha Jordan, Fairmont Senior High School; Ethan Wimer, Preston High School
- Sgt. Christopher Dalton Memorial Scholarship — Tallan Embrey, West Virginia University
- The Jean and Laurence S. DeLynn Scholarship — Preston Brock, Morgantown High School; Jadyn Davis, Morgantown High School; Alexander Imperial,
- Bridgeport High School; Chesney Manko, Preston High School; Benjamin Pell, Preston High School; Christian Sabatino, Fairmont Senior High School
- Jim Dunn Memorial Scholarship — Michael Garrett, North Marion High School; Zoe Shetty, University High School; Trey Smith-Tatham, Preston High School; Mackenzie Stanley, Fairmont Senior High School
- PFC Andrew Martin “Bo” Harper Memorial Scholarship — Hannah Nieman, University High School
- HopeWorks Scholarship — Olivia Groves, Morgantown High School
- KHS Class of 59 Scholarship — Emily Passerby, Preston High School
- Dr. Leo Kotchek Memorial Scholarship — Taylor Robinson, Preston High School
- Mountain Loggers Cooperative Association Scholarship — Lauren Cox, homeschooled
- North Elementary Scholarship — Camila Romero, Morgantown High School
- Soundra K. Poling Brookhaven Elementary Scholarship — Grace McCusker, Morgantown High School
- Angela Scotchel Memorial Basketball Scholarship — Ashten Boggs, University High School
- Angela Shahan Memorial Scholarship — Ethan Wimer, Preston High School
- Margaret L. Spencer Health Career Education Scholarship — Tyler Ray, West Virginia University
- Micah Wilson Memorial Scholarship — Madison Shuttlesworth, University High School
- Matthew “Biggie” Wolfe Memorial Scholarship — Marriah Straub, West Virginia University.
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