June 1, 2006
AWARDS OVER $200,000 IN
SCHOLARSHIPS TO AREA STUDENTS
For more information, Debra
L Dodson
P.O. Box 1039, Danville, VA 24543; 434-793-0884
The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region has awarded over $200,000 in scholarships to 43 area students. Presentations were recently made from 19 different scholarship funds within The Community Foundation.
“We are so excited to help open the doors of the future to so many students,” said Debra L. Dodson, Executive Director for The Community Foundation. “We have awarded over $500,000 in scholarships to almost 200 students in the ten years since we started.”
The James W. Bryant and James T. Collie Scholarship was established with The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region in 2005 by a retired school teacher. The scholarship is for Pittsylvania County Public Schools graduates, with a preference for those pursuing education or nursing. One scholarship of $1,100 was presented to Gretna senior Bernadette Johnson to attend Longwood University and another of $1,000 was given to Chatham senior Jonathan Ward to attend Virginia Commonwealth University.
The Bernard C. Calvert Scholarship was established in 2004 by the Brosville Council #51 of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. The scholarship is restricted to Tunstall High School graduates, preferably students who attended either Brosville or Stony Mill Schools. Calvert Scholarships of $1,000 were awarded to Crystal Lovell to attend Averett University and Erica Wilborne to attend Lynchburg College.
The Danville Academic Boosters Club Scholarship was awarded to the top five scholastic students in Danville Public Schools – Tyler Cassidy (Galileo), Traci Kelly (Galileo), Moira Smith (GWHS), Trevor Franklin (Galileo), and Maria Abreu (GWHS).
The John Watson Daniel Scholarship was established by the JWD Retirement Club in 1997. One scholarship of $300 was awarded to GW senior Kelly Powell to attend Lynchburg College.
One student received the John R. and Betty B. Eggleston Scholarship, established in memory of Dr. and Mrs. Eggleston in 2002. Ian Davey, a George Washington High School senior, received $750 to attend the University of Virginia.
The Margaret Spruce Floyd Scholarship was established in memory of Mrs. Floyd and transferred to The Community Foundation in 2004. The scholarship is awarded to female high school students from Pittsylvania County. Two Margaret Spruce Floyd scholarships were awarded this year. Gretna seniors, Heather Elder, received $1,100 to attend Averett University and Stephanie Mason, received $1,200 to attend Lynchburg College.
Three area students received a scholarship from the Roy G. and Joan F. Gignac Scholarship to attend the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT). Joseph Clark, a Danville Community College student, was awarded a $21,500 scholarship, while Galileo student Jason Lemery received $16,000 and Chatham senior Corey Hawker was awarded $4,000. As Gignac Scholars, all three students will be eligible to renew their scholarships annually through a Master’s Degree. They join five other Danville area Gignac Scholars currently studying at IIT whose annual support totals $116,800 - Jennifer Gambrell, Sayiddah McCree, Patrick Bray, Andrew Mey and Andrew Rust.
The Ray M. Harris Scholarship was created in memory of Mr. Harris and transferred to The Community Foundation in 2004. The scholarship gives primary consideration to Pittsylvania County high school graduates. Two Ray M. Harris scholarships were presented this year. Tyler Cassidy, a Galileo senior, received $2,500 to attend the University of Virginia while Chatham senior DeVarion Carter was awarded $1,100 to study at Washington & Lee.
The Stuart Harris Drama Scholarship recognizes outstanding drama students in the Danville Public Schools. Matthew W. James received $1,200 to continue his education at Virginia Commonwealth University.
The John L. Hurt, Jr. Scholarship Fund supports students from Northern Pittsylvania County, with a preference for students who have attended the John L. Hurt, Jr. Elementary School. This year Rachel Martin received $2,400 to attend the University of Virginia.
Four scholarships totaling were awarded from the Onnie H & Bertie W. Milloway Scholarship. The Milloway Scholarship was established to assist area students who attend Averett University. Scholarships were presented to existing three current Averett students Brittany Shepherd-Walker ($1,300), Mark Hall ($1,750), Teresa Roberts ($2,000), and Tunstall senior Pattie Keatts ($1,250).
Two area students received scholarships from the Irene L. Pritchett Scholarship, created years ago to benefit area black students. The Pritchett scholarship was transferred to The Community Foundation in 2001. Katia Farmer, a Gretna senior, received $1,900 to attend James Madison University. Dannon Wilson, a GW senior, received $1,800 to attend William & Mary.
The Alger Pugh Memorial Scholarship was created in memory of Alger Pugh, GW High School football coach, after his death in 1984. The scholarship was then transferred to The Community Foundation and is given to deserving GW athletes. Two students were awarded $500 scholarships – Jordan Richardson (University of Virginia), and Tiesha Terry (Shaw University). Three students were awarded $1,000 – Brandon Dawson (Christopher Newport University), Meredith Ray (University of South Carolina), and Ashley Salmon (University of South Carolina).
The Riddle-Francis Scholarship was created in 2005 by a retired teacher to benefit Pittsylvania County students, with a preference for Tunstall and Dan River students. Natalie Testerman, a Tunstall senior, received a $1,000 scholarship to attend Radford University.
The Percy and Velna Scearce Scholarship was created in 2001 to benefit area students. Douglas E. Lewis received a $1,175 scholarship to continue his studies at the University of Virginia.
Two scholarships of $1,100 each were presented from the Spiros Skenderis Memorial Scholarship, which was created by the Danville Bar Association in memory of Judge Spiros Skenderis. Judge Skenderis served as a compassionate judge of the Danville Juvenile and Domestic Relations District for 19 years. April Faircloth is graduating from Dan River High School and plans to attend Radford University. Lauren Huff is a Chatham senior and plans to attend Danville Community College.
The Eileen and Joseph Stendig Scholarship was created in 2005 to benefit area students with a financial need. GW senior Ashley Salmon received a $1,000 scholarship to continue her studies at the University of South Carolina.
The GW Class of 1955 created the Eugene Stryker Scholarship at their 50th reunion this past year. Mr. Stryker served as a musical director for George Washington High School for nearly 40 years and actually started bands in the Danville Public Schools in 1949. Mr. Stryker passed away in January of this year, just months after being recognized by the Class of 1955. Two students received the Eugene Stryker Scholarship. Douglas Lewis received $2,000 to continue his studies at the University of Virginia and Jordan Richardson received $1,000 to attend UVA.
Two scholarships of $1,500 were awarded from the Louise P. Surles Scholarship. The Surles Scholarship supports area students who attend the University of Virginia. The scholarships were presented to Traci Kelly, a Galileo senior, and Jordan Richardson, a George Washington High School senior.
Two George Washington High School students received scholarships of
$1,240 from the Andy Warren Memorial Scholarship. The
Warren Scholarship was created in memory of GW High School assistant football
coach and is given to deserving GW athletes. Brandon Dawson will
attend Christopher Newport University while Antoine Williams will
attend Marshall University.
The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region, formerly known as DPC Community Foundation, is a public charity with total assets of $12 million. The Foundation serves a region from Martinsville-Henry County to South Boston/Halifax County, including the neighboring North Carolina counties.
The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region is a fully tax-exempt
organization. Individuals or businesses may establish their own endowment
or scholarship fund or may contribute any amount to existing funds. For
more information, contact Debra L. Dodson at 530 Main Street, P.O. Box
1039, Danville, VA 24543, (434) 793-0884 or visit their web site www.cfdrr.org.
THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE DAN RIVER REGION
541 Loyal Street
P. O. Box 1039
Danville, Virginia 24543
Ph: (434) 793-0884 Fax: (434) 793-6489
E-mail: communityfoundation@gamewood.net
