The Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge announces awards of nearly $50,000 in scholarships to 38 area students.  Each scholarship has its own specific purpose, selection and eligibility criteria. The selection process is managed in a variety of ways, depending on the wishes of the donor. 

“We are so thrilled and thankful to be able to offer these scholarships that will potentially open doors that may have otherwise remained closed. By minimizing the financial concerns of these young adults, they can focus on their studies and achieve what they set out to do,” said Becky Kohler, President/CEO of the Community Foundation.

The following students have been awarded a total of nearly $50,000 in Community Foundation scholarship awards this year:

Buffalo Gap High School

Charles Lawhorn, Martin Lightsey Scholarship for Technical Education

Fort Defiance High School:

Kyle Harris, Ethel Driver Memorial Scholarship

Nelson County High School:

Chelsea Shanklin, Montebello Scholarship

Riverheads High School:

Catherine Buchanan, Morgan R. Funk Memorial Scholarship

Jill Jackson, Christopher D. Rockwell Memorial Scholarship

Kyle Armstrong, R.S. Yeago, Jr. Scholarship

Taylor Blackwell-Kershner, R.S. Yeago, Jr. Scholarship

Joshua Foster, R.S. Yeago, Jr. Scholarship

Robert E. Lee High School:

Heather Johnson, Martin Lightsey Scholarship for Technical Education

Hope Kelliher, The McSwain Scholarship

Tara Morrison, John W. Greene Memorial Scholarship

Danielle Nelson, Kenneth L. Jones Memorial Scholarship

Brenda Riojas, Ganelle Hargrove Cook Scholarship

Stuarts Draft High School:

Lauren Ford, A. Gordon Houff Memorial Scholarship and Roy B. Martin Memorial Scholarship

Waynesboro High School:

Meghan Anson, V.F. and Susan S. Reynolds Scholarship

Jordan Driskill, Community Scholarship for Excellence

Kylie Roberts, Roy B. Martin Memorial Scholarship

Benjamen Shrewsberry, Waynesboro High School Alumni Scholarship

Bethany Spencer, Louis and Emily M. Spilman Scholarship

Danielle Williams, Lindsay Ree Hyson Memorial Scholarship

Adult/Other Scholarships:

Megan Garcia, Peter Veglahn Memorial Scholarship

Alex Hamborsky, Tyler James Grimm Memorial Scholarship

Michael Bower, John W. Greene Memorial Scholarship

Eric Cox, John W. Greene Memorial Scholarship

Trisha Durfee, John W. Greene Memorial Scholarship

Whitney McCormick, John W. Greene Memorial Scholarship

Amy Modlin, John W. Greene Memorial Scholarship

Christopher Ott, John W. Greene Memorial Scholarship

Darbi Sullivan, John W. Greene Memorial Scholarship

This dynamic group, composed mostly of 2011 high school graduates, will begin college in the fall–pursuing careers in a variety of fields including nursing, education, environmental studies and engineering.

 The Community Foundation’s next scholarship award cycle will occur in 2012. 

About the Community Foundation
The Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge enriches quality of life by responding to needs and inspiring philanthropy in our community.  The Foundation serves the communities of Staunton and Waynesboro, as well as Augusta, Nelson and Highland counties. As one of the largest philanthropic institutions in the Central Blue Ridge, the Foundation is committed to careful stewardship of and thoughtful investment in our region’s future.  Unlike other non-profit organizations, the Community Foundation is endowed in perpetuity.   The Foundation is best known for providing grants and scholarships in the community, the annual Dawbarn Education Awardsand Competitive Grants.