Above: 2024 scholarship recipients gather at a celebratory luncheon, held this year May 5 at the Floyd Eco Village.
BLACKSBURG – This spring, the Community Foundation of the New River Valley (CFNRV) awarded more than $152,000 in scholarships to 92 students either from the New River Valley (NRV) or studying here.
This outstanding group of students includes 60 high school seniors, 31 college students, and one future veterinarian and 20 of these students are the first in their families to attend college or university. In early May, the CFNRV celebrated at a luncheon with the recipients and their families, along with the donors that make the scholarships possible.
“Ever since we awarded our first $500 scholarship in 2002, we have had the privilege of supporting students during their educational journeys,” said Jessica Wirgau, the CFNRV’s Chief Executive Officer. “In the more than 20 years since, thanks to the generosity of many donors, we have supported more than 1,200 students. We are incredibly proud of these students and the impact they have gone on to have in their communities.”
This year’s 92 recipients are funded by 53 different endowed scholarship funds set up by families, individuals, and businesses. Each of these funds has a unique purpose and set of criteria for the type of student the donor(s) would like to support. These criteria can include things like wanting to support students pursuing specific majors or career paths, students from specific regions, schools, or economic backgrounds, and much more.
Many of these scholarships are renewable, allowing students to re-apply each year to get support throughout their time in school. One such fund is the Blue Collar Scholarship Fund. The family and friends of Kent Quesenberry set up this fund in honor of Kent, a Master Plumber and Class B contractor, after he passed away suddenly in 2021.
“When we began the Blue Collar Scholarship, I hoped it would not be long before we could grant our first scholarship, “said Joni Quesenberry of Riner, Kent’s wife. “I wish Kent could be the one to hand the student a scholarship, but my daughters and I are thrilled to do it for him. We are glad to have a way to honor Kent’s memory and help students of blue collar families continue their education.”
Each year, the scholarship awards that students receive depend on the size of each endowed scholarship fund. Once the scholarship fund reaches a minimum endowment of $15,000, the money in the fund is invested and the earnings generated become that year’s scholarship awards. The goal of each fund is to exist forever, awarding money to students for generations to come. This year, the CFNRV awarded its first-ever full scholarship (which includes tuition, room, and board not covered by other financial aid sources) to a high school senior, Caiden Delp of Galax.
Delp, who plans to attend Virginia Tech in the fall, received this award from the Morrow-Stevens Foundation Fund. Delp shared her gratitude, saying, “I am at a loss for words at the benefit this will have on my future.” Delp, along with this year’s 91 other scholarship recipients, all have bright futures ahead of them. The CFNRV is honored to play a role in their education.
The CFNRV’s scholarship application opens online each October at cfnrv.org/scholarships. High school seniors, current students, and older adults returning to school are encouraged to apply. Scholarships are available for those attending or planning to attend colleges or universities trade or technical schools. Additionally, one fund gives out an annual scholarship to a student attending the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. Those interested in setting up a scholarship fund can reach out to the CFNRV team at cfnrv@cfnrv.org or 540-381-8999.
The list of the CFNRV’s 2024 scholarship recipients, organized in alphabetical order by school, includes:
Auburn High School:
Rylee Lyons received $1,950 from the Juanita Shelor Hall Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Kailin Phillips received $1,950 from the Juanita Shelor Hall Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Kasey Rosenbaum received $750 from the Teel Family Scholarship Fund.
Blacksburg High School:
Audrey Deck received $1,000 from the Diana Love Legacy Instrumental Music Scholarship Fund.
Matteo Hirel received $1,740 from the Jim Gwazdauskas Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Henry Holt received $1,130 from the Wings Scholarship Fund.
Kyle Klemba received $1,000 from the Allan Mandelstamm Scholarship Fund.
Kallan Malabad received $2,100 from the June Liang Wang Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Allison McDonald received $1,500 from the Chris Dudley Scholarship Fund.
Evan McGrory received $2,000 from the Blacksburg Volunteer Rescue Squad Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Isabella Prevette received $1,000 from the BHS National Honor Society Legacy Scholarship Fund.
Tyler Racek received $1,000 from the Highlands Fund.
Evelyn Rhoads received $1,000 from the Highlands Fund.
Ekaterina Saveleva received $1,800 from the Auxiliary of Radford Community Hospital/CNRVMC Scholarship Fund.
Bang Truong received $5,000 from the Jane Ann Wells Scholarship Fund.
Ryan Zhao received $2,100 from the June Liang Wang Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Christiansburg High School:
Chase Allen received $1,000 from the Doris Huff Elliott Business Excellence Scholarship Fund.
Spencer Conner received $1,320 from the Marcus Allen Ford Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Alaysia Graves received $5,000 from the Jane Ann Wells Scholarship Fund.
Griffin Hatcher received $1,130 from the Wings Scholarship Fund.
Rylie Horning received $1,000 from the Highlands Fund.
Alaina Meadows received $1,420 from the Eric E. Sutphin Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Eastern Montgomery High School:
Bethany Abbott received $1,800 from the Auxiliary of Radford Community/CNRVMC Scholarship Fund.
Ryan Epperly received $1,470 from the Ray E. and Mary B. Epperly Family Fund (Ryan Epperly is not related to Ray and Mary Epperly).
Wyatt Jones received $1,200 from the Marie Mandelstamm Scholarship Fund.
Kelly Mills received $1,470 from the Ray E. and Mary B. Epperly Family Fund.
Riley Ollis received $1,335 from the Adrienne Marie Rhudy Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Floyd County High School:
Lathom Barbieri received $740 from the Casey Jones Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Ford Bowman received $1,784 from the James E. and Kate H. Board Scholarship Fund.
Lorelei Cox received $1,335 from the Adrienne Marie Rhudy Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Matthew Cox received $1,000 from the Citizens Scholarship Fund.
Ruby Dowd received $2,000 from the Amber D. Lutz Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Clare Ellis received $1,784 from the James E. and Kate H. Board Scholarship Fund.
Gladys Garcia received $3,000 from the RBN Inc. Appreciation Scholarship Fund.
Grace Marrone received $1,000 from the Simón-Flora-Grohs Scholarship Fund.
Silas Ocampo received $1,000 from the Williamsburg Consort Symphonic Band Scholarship Fund.
Sophie Perdue received $1,784 from the James E. and Kate H. Board Scholarship Fund.
Gael Perez-Delgado received $1,000 from the Simón-Flora-Grohs Scholarship Fund.
Mackenzie Thompson received $780 from the Mary Ann King Peters Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Garrett Weaver received $1,784 from the James E. and Kate H. Board Scholarship Fund.
Rosalind Weeks received $2,000 from the Earl Vest and Mamie Phillips Vest Scholarship Fund.
Nicholas White received $1,000 from the Larry Turman Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Jack Wilder received $1,784 from the James E. and Kate H. Board Scholarship Fund.
Natasha Yuvanavattana received $1,120 from the Woodrow and Elma Turman Scholarship Fund.
Galax High School:
Caiden Delp received a full scholarship (tuition, room, and board) from the Morrow-Stevens Foundation Fund.
Emily Edwards received $1,000 from the Highlands Fund.
Erik Soto received $1,000 from the Laura J. Pynn Scholarship Fund.
Giles County High School:
Olivia Burton received $1,000 from the Domermuth Scholarship Fund.
Kylie Douthat received $2,500 from the Raymond M. and Edith H. Ingram Scholarship Fund.
Jordan Lucas received $2,500 from the Raymond M. and Edith H. Ingram Scholarship Fund.
Aaron Miller received $1,335 from the Adrienne Marie Rhudy Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Brogan Pennington received $500 from the Virginia Whitaker Memorial/Eggleston Community Scholarship Fund.
Hannah Sarver received $2,500 from the Raymond M. and Edith H. Ingram Scholarship Fund.
Kaitlyn Steele received $1,800 from the Auxiliary of Radford Community Hospital/CNRVMC Scholarship Fund.
Grayson County High School:
Evelyn Moxley received $2,000 from the Plummer Family Scholarship Fund.
Pulaski County High School:
Laken Barnette received $2,000 from the Jo Ann Slate Smith Scholarship Fund.
Jadyn McAlexander received $2,000 from the Jo Ann Slate Smith Scholarship Fund.
Radford High School:
Dawson Martin received $1,018 from the Warren Lloyd Holtzman Freedom Scholarship Fund.
Addie Saunders received $1,335 from the Adrienne Marie Rhudy Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Springhouse:
Spencer Nelson received $1,000 from the T. Scott Eaton Scholarship Fund
College students and veterinary student:
Ferrum College:
Jaycee Chaffin received $1,500 from the Earl Vest and Mamie Phillips Vest Scholarship Fund.
Kenzee Chaffin received $1,500 from the Earl Vest and Mamie Phillips Vest Scholarship Fund.
New River Community College:
Sydney Farley received $2,000 from the Josephine D. Shotts Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Caroline Hale received $600 from the Evelyn Rutrough Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Radford University:
Hollie Fletcher received $1,000 from the Muffo Family Scholarship Fund.
Taylor Rasmussen received $2,000 from the Josephine D. Shotts Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Owen Saunders received $1,018 from the Warren Lloyd Holtzman Freedom Scholarship Fund.
Aubrey Shanks received $540 from the Living4Bri Scholarship Fund.
Virginia Tech:
Shelby Bellows received $2,666 from the Virginia Tech Women’s Club Scholarship Fund.
Madison Blake received $2,666 from the Virginia Tech Women’s Club Scholarship Fund.
Ainsley Brewer received $2,666 from the Virginia Tech Women’s Club Scholarship Fund.
Krista Carlton received $2,666 from the Virginia Tech Women’s Club Scholarship Fund.
Sai Ashraya Chegu received $2,666 from the Virginia Tech Women’s Club Scholarship Fund.
Ainsley Duff received $2,666 from the Virginia Tech Women’s Club Scholarship Fund.
Austin Elliott received a total of $1,500 from two funds: the Blue Collar Scholarship Fund ($1,000) and the Lambda Horizon Scholarship Fund ($500).
Elizabeth Eroshenko received $2,666 from the Virginia Tech Women’s Club Scholarship Fund.
Ella Fitzgerald received $2,666 from the Virginia Tech Women’s Club Scholarship Fund.
Grayson Haskins received $1,000 from the Highlands Fund.
Caleb Johnston received $1,200 from the Marie Mandelstamm Scholarship Fund.
Gage Kelly received $3,940 from the Lineweaver Family Scholarship Fund.
Suin Kim received $2,666 from the Virginia Tech Women’s Club Scholarship Fund.
Hayden Kyle received $1,000 from the VFW Post 5311 Legacy Scholarship Fund.
Lacey Ngo received $2,666 from the Virginia Tech Women’s Club Scholarship Fund.
Megan Phan received $2,666 from the Virginia Tech Women’s Club Scholarship Fund.
Harbalbeen Rai received $2,666 from the Virginia Tech Women’s Club Scholarship Fund.
Ty Robertson received $540 from the A. Phillip Meadows Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Plus, one student from each of the following schools:
Sydney Fritz, who attends Brown University, received $1,000 from the Terry Helms Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Katherine Widner, who attends James Madison University, received $1,080 from the W.F. Teel Scholarship Fund.
Carson Gilmore, who attends Rice University, received $900 from the Dana R. and Marilyn Spencer Scholarship Fund.
Sophia Craig, who attends Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine (VMCVM), received $1,000 from the VMCVM of 1990 Shelter Veterinarian Scholarship Fund.
Hampton Wohlford, who attends Virginia Military Institute, received $1,000 from the Allan Mandelstamm Scholarship Fund.
Andrea Leng, who attends Washington University in St. Louis, received $2,000 Benjamin Eiss Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Community Foundation of the NRV
