June 2016

CFDRR Awards 82 Scholarships Totaling More Than $156,000

The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region has awarded   82 scholarships totaling more than $156,000 to area students. Presentations from 39 different scholarship funds within The Community Foundation were made at a scholarship reception held June 5, 2016 at The Community Center in Chatham. The Community Foundation has awarded 950 scholarships totaling more than $2 million since its beginning in 1996.

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.  Courtney Meadows (Averett University) received $660.

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. Nicholas Collins (Dan River High School) received $930.

The Bennett-Bushnell-Jones-Kaufmann Scholarship was established in 2008 to provide scholarships to second-year nursing students at Danville Community College. Emily Pleasant (Danville Community College) received $1,430.

The Deputy Frankie Lynn Betterton Scholarship was established in 2012 in memory of Deputy Sherriff Frankie Lynn Betterton who was shot and killed while making a traffic stop on May 17, 2002.  The scholarship is for Danville/Pittsylvania residents who have a financial need and who are pursuing a law enforcement career.  Adam Brown (Danville Community College) received $725.

The James W. Bryant, Sr. and James T. Collie Scholarship was established 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.  Two scholarships of $2,240 each were awarded to Keona Guy (Radford University) and Erika Dodson (James Madison 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.  Lauren Yoder (Campbell University) received $1,500.

The John Watson Daniel Scholarship was established by the JWD Retirement Club in 1997.  A scholarship in the amount of $700 was presented to Bailey Gray (Bartlett Yancey High School).

The Steven Bruce Daniels, Jr. Scholarship was established in 2014 in memory of Steven Bruce Daniels, Jr.  This scholarship is for Danville, Pittsylvania or Caswell county graduates attending either NC State University or Virginia Tech and plans for studying in the field of agriculture (primary) or with a high school varsity athletics background (secondary).  Brent Jones (Bartlett Yancey High School) received $1,000.

The Danville Academic Boosters Club Scholarship is awarded to the top five scholastic students in the Danville Public School system.  The following students received scholarships – Caleb Koch (Galileo Magnet High School), Wilber McLaughlin (Galileo Magnet High School), Alexandra Reddy (Galileo Magnet High School), Steven Black (GWHS) and Asher Caplan (GWHS).

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.  Ten scholarships of $1,400 each were awarded to Hao Da (GWHS), Hannah Dewberry (Campbell University), Claire Gray (Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy), Emily Hilton (Radford University), Elizabeth McBride (Averett University), Ashlee Pickrel (Lynchburg College), Humza Qazi (Chatham High School), Krystal Owusu (GWHS).

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 – Christene Buchanan (Chatham High School),  Melinda Jisel Espinoza (University of Virginia), Sierra Franklin (Liberty University), Domitilo Gomez (University of Virginia), Danielle Jeffers (Virginia Tech), Makenna Jones (Virginia Tech), Ram Leandro Madejas (University of Virginia), Jonathan McCain (UNC Chapel Hill), Natalie Nicholson (University of Virginia), and John Robinson III (Dartmouth College).

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.  Lauren Haymore (DRMC School of Health Professions) received $800.

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 Caleb Koch (Galileo Magnet High School) in the amount of $680.

The First Responder-Hero Education Scholarship was established in 2013 to provide scholarships for Danville-Pittsylvania-Caswell County High School graduates whose parents are armed force members or veterans, law enforcement officers, or fulltime or volunteer firefighters, with a preference for graduates whose parents were killed or wounded while performing their duties. Haley Shaffer (Salem College) received $1,000.

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.  Emily Dodson (Pace University) received $1,680.

The Gantsoudes Scholarship was established in 2008 to benefit George Washington High School students attending college in Virginia or North Carolina.  Steven Black (GWHS) received $1,440.

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 Landon Holley (Virginia Tech), Hannah Ricketts (Virginia Tech), and Joseph Snead (Virginia Tech), Erica Watson (Tunstall High School).  Each received $3,300.

The Diane Marie Gross Scholarship was established with The Community Foundation in 2013.  The scholarship is for Danville graduates attending Washington and Lee University or the College of William and Mary.  Katie Van Der Hyde (College of William and Mary) received $760.

The John B. Grubb Scholarship was established in 2007 in memory of Mr. Grubb to benefit Danville and Pittsylvania County Public School graduates.  Wilbur McLaughlin (Galileo Magnet High School) received $680.

The Gail and Walter Gunn Scholarship was established in 2015.  The scholarship is for local African American students with a preference for those studying business or with an entrepreneurial interest.  Neriah Ray-Saunders (GWHS) received $600.

The GW Class of 1957 Scholarship was established in 2007 to benefit George Washington High School students.  The Class of 1957 created the scholarship for their 50th High School Reunion. Jennifer Eibert (Mary Baldwin College) received $1,400.

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.  Paul Henderson (Johns Hopkins University) received $3,440.

The Stuart Harris Drama Scholarship recognizes outstanding drama students in the Danville Public Schools. Caroline Tucker (GWHS) received $975.

The Douglas Sager Hayes and Mildred “Mickey” Hayes Scholarship was established in 2013 to provide scholarships for Danville-Pittsylvania graduates studying art. Kelsey Edwards (Averett University) received $2,600.

The Eliza Patterson Hines Memorial Scholarship was established in 2014 to support local graduates pursuing a career in teaching, preferably in grades 1-7.  Samantha Shelton (Radford University) received $1,230.

The Hokie Bird Scholarship was established in 2013 to support Danville-Pittsylvania County graduates attending Virginia Tech.  Michael Adkins (Chatham High School) received $960.

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. Ethan Barnes (Virginia Tech) received $1,770.

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 $1,500 – Caroline Davis (Westover Christian Academy), Angela High (Danville Community College), Tyler Martin (Tunstall High School), Noah Mayhew (GWHS).

Three scholarships totaling $4,500 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 Phillip Ashby, Nichelle Foisy, and Bethany Hall.

The Patrick H. Musick Scholarship was established to provide funding for deserving Averett University students who have a tennis-playing background.  Angelica Orlikowski (Averett University) was awarded $800.

The Arnold B. Porter & Elizabeth J. Porter Scholarship was established in 2006 for students who are members of Fairview United Methodist Church.  Kaitlyn Sage (Tunstall High School) and Morgan Tucker (James Madison University) each received $1,350.

The Irene L. Pritchett Scholarship was created years ago to benefit area African-American students. The Pritchett scholarship was transferred to The Community Foundation in 2001. Alysha Walker (Dan River High School) was awarded $3,000.

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. Hao Da (GWHS) received $3,000.

Ten Gretna High School seniors were awarded $500 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 Joshua Arthur, Leah Brooks, Shaundre Chambers, Vinita Cunningham, Erika Davis, Elisabeth Goad, Shana Martin, Heath Pierce, Cassidy Pruitt, and Lauren Rowland.

A scholarship in the amount of $2,200 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 Haley Hall (Tunstall High School).

The Rotary Club of Yanceyville Scholarship was established in 2013 by the Rotary Club of Yanceyville for graduates of Bartlett Yancey High School. Jacob Crews (North Carolina State University) received $1,075.

The Percy and Velna Scearce Scholarship was created in 2001 to benefit area students. Dylan Mitchell (Liberty University) received $1,375.

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 $2,450 scholarship was awarded to Martin Gomez (Old Dominion University).

The Eileen and Joseph Stendig Scholarship was created in 2005 to benefit area students.  Ishmale Davis (GWHS) was awarded $1,930.

The Louise P. Surles Scholarship supports area students who attend the University of Virginia.  Hannah Barker (Tunstall High School) was awarded $2,600.

The Florence P. Wagner and Jennie Lee Wagner Scholarship was established in 2008 to provide scholarships to Pittsylvania County high school graduates.  Kayla Hill (Tunstall High School) was awarded $1,100.

The Andy Warren Memorial Scholarship was created in memory of GW High School assistant football coach and is given to deserving GW athletes.  William Browning (Lynchburg College) received $3,100.

The Woodlawn Academy Scholarship was established in 2014 to provide scholarships for former Woodlawn Academy students and immediate family of former students. Lauren Oakes (James Madison University) received $3,560.

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.