Twelve of West Virginia’s top high school seniors were recently offered Bucklew Scholarships to attend West Virginia University next fall.

Bucklew Scholarships, valued at more than $20,000, provide students with $4,500 per year for four years toward educational costs and also include a book stipend for each year. The awards are named for former WVU President Neil S. Bucklew, who established the Scholars Program during his tenure as the University’s 20th president.

The scholarships are supported by the WVU Foundation, Inc. and are part of the University’s comprehensive awards program. Since 1987, the WVU Scholars Program has committed more than $30 million in scholarships ranging from one-time $1,000 awards to full, four-year awards valued at more than $45,000.

These 12 students will now compete for WVU ’s top academic award, the Foundation Scholarship, which will be announced in May 10 at the state Capitol in Charleston. Each year, five Foundation Scholarships are awarded solely to West Virginia students.

The following seven men and five women, representing nine different West Virginia counties, are among the 2000 Class of Bucklew Scholars being honored at WVU :

Natalie Paige Allen , Logan High School, Logan County;

Rachel Ayne Armentrout , Keyser High School, Mineral County; Jeffrey David Burch , Huntington High School, Cabell County;

Crystal Rachelle Canterbury , George Washington High School, Kanawha County;

Kathryn Anne Clay , Keyser High School, Mineral County;

Andrew Scott Estel , University High School, Monongalia County;

Lindsay Anne Kruska, Charleston Catholic High School, Kanawha County;

Kenneth Michael”Kenny”Marn , Tyler Consolidated High School, Tyler County;

Michael Paul Oliverio , Bridgeport High School, Harrison County;

Adrian Brady Slider , Paden City High School, Wetzel County;

Gabriel Sean”Gabe”Tapia , Morgantown High School, Monongalia County;

Aaron Montgomery Vickers , Hurricane High School, Putnam County.