Woodlawn Academy Scholarship Fund created

Proceeds from property sale establish scholarship

with Community Foundation of the Dan River Region

DANVILLE, VA –Proceeds from the sale of the former Woodlawn Academy have created the Woodlawn Academy Scholarship Fund with The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region.

Parents and other interested citizens who felt the need for a safe and friendly independent school in the Pittsylvania County area founded Woodlawn Academy in 1970. The founders desired an institution which would provide a climate in which to conserve and promote good citizenship, patriotism, and a high standard of moral and spiritual values in each individual child.

The former Woodlawn Academy property had been leased by Carlisle School but was recently sold to the Pittsylvania County School Board. Proceeds from the sale provided $125,000 to establish the endowed Woodlawn Academy Scholarship.

The first Woodlawn Academy Scholarships will be available beginning the 2015-2016 school year, with approximately $5,000 available each year through an average payout of 4%. The scholarship will be awarded to Danville-Pittsylvania County graduates with a preference given to former Woodlawn Academy students and immediate family of former students.

“We are honored to help carry on the Woodlawn’s legacy of educational integrity through this scholarship,” said Debra Dodson, Executive Director of the CFDRR.  “We look forward to help deserving students for generations to come.”

Former Woodlawn Academy students and supporters are encouraged to add to the Woodlawn Academy Scholarship Fund. Donations may be made at The Community Foundation and online at www.cfdrr.org.  All checks should be made payable to the Community Foundation of the Dan River Region, c/o Woodlawn Academy Scholarship, 541 Loyal Street, Danville, VA 24541. Will bequests, and life insurance and retirement asset beneficiaries may also be designated for the Woodlawn Academy Scholarship. For more information, call 434-793.0884.

The Community Foundation Awards 84 Scholarships Totaling More Than $146,000 to Area Students

The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region has awarded 84 scholarships totaling more than $146,000 to area students. Presentations from 36 different scholarship funds within The Community Foundation were made at a scholarship reception held June 8, 2014 at The Community Center at Chatham.

The William E. Barr Scholarship was established in 2013 in memory of William E. Barr. The scholarship supports Danville – Pittsylvania County graduates attending Hampden-Sydney College. Andrew Arnold (Hampden-Sydney College) received $725.

The James W. Bryant, Sr. and James T. Collie Scholarship was established with The Community Foundation 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. Three scholarships of $1,600 each were awarded to high school seniors Brittnie Cooke (Liberty University), Keona Guy (Radford University) and Lexus Khan (Averett 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. Nicole Miller (University of Virginia) is receiving $1,875.

The John Watson Daniel Scholarship was established by the JWD Retirement Club in 1997. A scholarship in the amount of $625 was presented to Christopher Buckner (Tunstall High School).

The Danville Academic Boosters Club Scholarship is awarded to the top five scholastic students in Danville Public School system. The following students are receiving scholarships – Nicholas Pradhan (Galileo Magnet High School), Elizabeth Holland (GWHS), Bhavika Patel (Galileo Magnet High School), Hannah Hudson (GWHS) and Sydney Glass (Galileo Magnet High School).

The Danville Regional Medical Center Auxiliary/Volunteers Scholarship was established in 2007 for Danville Regional Medical Center employees, volunteers and their immediate families, who are studying a medical field. Nine scholarships of $1,150 each were awarded to Mackenzie Blair (Johnson and Wales University), Hannah Dewberry (Campbell University), Emily Hilton (Radford University), Jackson Hylton, Jr. (Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine), Morgan Oakes (James Madison University), Ashlee Pickrel (Lynchburg College), Hunter Reese (James Madison University), Brianna Ryan (James Madison University), Faith Simms (Virginia Tech) and Shamaica Tarpley (DRMC Radiologic Technology).

The Adkerson-Dodson Special Education Scholarship was established in 2012 in memory of Elsie Carolyn Adkerson and in memory of Robert Edward Adkerson and Elsie Herndon Adkerson. The scholarship supports deserving Danville/Pittsylvania residents who have a need for financial support and who are pursuing an undergraduate degree or licensure in special education. Christen Palmer (Liberty University) received $875.

The Roy L. and Mary G. Doss Scholarship was established in 2010 to benefit graduating seniors of Danville or Pittsylvania County. The following students received $5,500 each – Joshua Estabrook (Liberty University), Sierra Franklin (Liberty University), Latasha Jennings (University of Virginia), Makenna Jones (Dan River High School), Kristen Light (Toccoa Falls College), Ram Leandro Madejas (University of Virginia), Natalie Nicholson (Chatham High School), John Robinson III (Dartmouth College), Nathan Unger (University of Georgia) and Christopher Waters (University of Virginia).

The Susan L. Edwards Memorial Scholarship was established in memory of Susan L. Edwards in 2012. The scholarship is awarded to students pursuing the field of radiologic technology. Dylan Mitchell (Chatham High School) received $1,075.

One student received the John R. and Betty B. Eggleston Scholarship, established in memory of Dr. and Mrs. Eggleston in 2002. The scholarship was presented to Kaitlin Robertson (University of NC at Pembroke) in the amount of $650.

The Margaret Spruce Floyd Scholarship was established in memory of Mrs. Floyd and transferred to The Community Foundation in 2003. The scholarship is awarded to female high school students from Pittsylvania County. Brianna Hess (James Madison University) received $1,550.

The Gantsoudes Scholarship was established with The Community Foundation in 2008. The scholarship benefits George Washington High School students attending college in Virginia or North Carolina. Bich Ngoc Tran (GWHS) received $1,675.

The Roy G. and Joan F. Gignac Scholarship was created in 2000 to benefit area students who may attend the Illinois Institute of Technology or pursue technical disciplines. Scholarships were awarded to Phillip Dumont (Virginia Tech), Cody Finch (Averett Univeristy), Hannah Ricketts (Tunstall High School), and Ryan Ross (Virginia Tech). Each received $2,900.

The Diane Marie Gross Scholarship was established with The Community Foundation in 2013. The scholarship is for Danville and Pittsylvania County graduates attending Washington and Lee University or the College of William and Mary. Rachel Brown (College of William and Mary) received $1,000.

The John B. Grubb Scholarship was established in 2007 in memory of Mr. Grubb to benefit Danville and Pittsylvania County Public School graduates. Ling Guo (Virginia Tech) received $650.

The GW Class of 1957 Scholarship was established in 2007 with The Community Foundation. The Class of 1957 created the scholarship for their 50th High School Reunion to benefit George Washington High School students. Jennifer Eibert (GWHS) received $1,550.

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. Caleb Unger (Tunstall High School) received $3,250.

The Stuart Harris Drama Scholarship recognizes outstanding drama students in the Danville Public Schools. Elizabeth Hedrick (Hollins University) received $1,250.

The Hokie Bird Scholarship was established in 2013 to support Danville-Pittsylvania County graduates attending Virginia Tech. Lindsay Gerhardt (Virginia Tech) received $1,050.

The John L. Hurt, Jr. Scholarship supports students from Gretna High School, with a preference for students who have attended the John L. Hurt, Jr. Elementary School. Amanda Mayhew (Lynchburg College) received $1,650.

The Robert and Bernice Milam Scholarship was transferred to the foundation in 2010 from Third Avenue Congregational Christian Church to benefit its active members. The following students each received $1,250 – Jeffrey Bowen (Averett University), Kelsey Case (Averett University), Stuart Davis (Greensboro College), Carrie Hartgrove (College of William and Mary), Tyler High (Danville Community College), and Dustin Marshall (University of Virginia).

Three scholarships totaling $4,200 were awarded from the Onnie H. & Bertie W. Milloway Scholarship to assist area students who attend Averett University. Scholarships were presented to current Averett students Paige Gwynn, Christian Orlikowski, andJasmine Reid.

The Patrick H. Musick Scholarship was established to provide funding for deserving Averett University students who have a tennis-playing background. Jewel Dale (Averett University) was awarded $700.

The Arnold B. Porter & Elizabeth J. Porter Scholarship was established in 2006 for students who are members of Fairview United Methodist Church. Three students, Nicole Hyler (Tunstall High School) Peyton Chattin (GWHS), and Russell Crane (Danville Community College) received $1,000 each.

The Irene L. Pritchett Scholarship, created years ago to benefit area black students. The Pritchett scholarship was transferred to The Community Foundation in 2001. Michelle Culbert (Tunstall High School) was awarded $2,800.

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 scholarships of $1,400 each – Matthew Riddle (Virginia Tech) and Ali Stephens-Pickeral (Yale University).

Twelve Gretna High School seniors were awarded $550 each from the Richard Ramsey Scholarship. The Scholarship was created in memory of Mr. Ramsey, a Gretna High School teacher, many years ago and transferred to The Community Foundation in 2010. This scholarship was created to benefit Gretna High School students. The recipients are David Amos, Tanner Cooke, Ashlea Davis, Lindsay Gerhardt, Kelsey Jefferson, Courtney Meadows, Brent Reutter, Dyon Rosser, Jessica Slayton, Larry Slayton, Victoria Taylor, and Rebecca Varnadore.

A scholarship in the amount of $2,050 was given from the Riddle-Francis Scholarship, which was created in 2005 by a former teacher to benefit Pittsylvania County students, with a preference for Tunstall and Dan River students. The scholarship was awarded to Erin Gusler (Averett University).

The Rotary Club of Yanceyville Scholarship was established in 2013 by the Rotary Club of Yanceyville. The scholarship is for graduates of Bartlett Yancey High school who have demonstrated devotion to academics, or are otherwise talented, and who have a need for financial support. Daniel Sartin (Bartlett Yancey High School) received $1,425.

The Percy and Velna Scearce Scholarship was created in 2001 to benefit area students. Dylan Mitchell (Chatham High School) received $1,275.

The Spiros Skenderis Memorial Scholarship 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. A $1,800 scholarship was awarded to Martin Gomez (GWHS).

The Eileen and Joseph Stendig Scholarship was created in 2005 to benefit area students. Ashli Saunders-Lea (Galileo Magnet High School) was awarded $1,800.

The Louise P. Surles Scholarship supports area students who attend the University of Virginia. Keri Holt (University of Virginia) was awarded $2,375.

The Florence P. Wagner and Jennie Lee Wagner Scholarship was established in 2008 to provide scholarships to Pittsylvania County high school graduates. Rachel Brown (College of William and Mary) was awarded $1,250.

The Andy Warren Memorial Scholarship was created in memory of GW High School assistant football coach and is given to deserving GW athletes. Bradford Hylton (Tunstall High School) and Ashley Riddle (Radford University) received $1,200 each.

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 541 Loyal Street, Danville, VA, 24541, (434) 793-0884, visit their web site www.cfdrr.org, or follow them on Facebook or Twitter.