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 Universitys 20th president.

The scholarships are supported by the WVU Foundation, Inc. and are part of the Universitys 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 by Gov. Underwood on 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 is the daughter of Marty and Kleta Allen of Logan, Logan County.

Logan High School senior Natalie Allens dream of touring the world as a concert pianist has an interesting twist: she wants to practice medicine during her travels.”While performing around the globe,”Allen wrote on her Bucklew Scholarship application,”I hope to work with needy children, giving them the medical attention they so desperately need.”

In addition to completing medical school, she also wants to earn a masters degree in music performance.

An accomplished pianist, Allen also plays saxophone and has twice performed in WVU Honors Band. She has received two first place prizes and one third place award at WVMEA Mountain State Piano Competitions during her high school career. She teaches piano and tutors math in her spare time.

Allen has distinguished herself at Logan High by serving as the bands field commander and participating in student council, Key Club, Prayer Club, National Honor Society, marching, jazz and concert bands and the dance team. Her academic honors include West Virginia Governors Honor Academy, Herff Jones Presidential Leadership Award, Bausch and Lomb Science Award and National English Merit Award.

Allen believes her role as president of the Nighbert Memorial Church youth group is her most important leadership position.”Although my youth group is only a little less than 40 members strong, I am able to have a widespread impact through our donations and community projects,”she said.”For example, we assist the needy by visiting nursing homes and shut-ins,

by helping with the food pantry and by donating toys and filling Christmas stockings with gifts and toys for young children through the Salvation Army.”

She will major in music and biochemistry at WVU .

*Rachel Ayne Armentrout is the daughter of Richard and Linda Armentrout of Keyser, Mineral County.

A National Merit Scholarship semi-finalist, Armentrout has accumulated numerous accolades during her years at Keyser High School. Last year she was named an Advanced Placement Scholar and a West Virginia Rising Scholar, participated in West Virginia State Math Field Day, served on student council and was inducted into Keyser High Schools Honor Society.

As amember of the concert, marching and pep bands, she earned West Virginia All-State Band status and participated in WVU Honors Band in 1998 and 1999. She was also a guest performer for the United State Army Field Band in 1998.Most recently she served as a section leader in the award-winning Keyser High Golden Tornado Marching Band.

Armentrouts hard work outside of the classroom also has paid off. She worked as a newspaper carrier from 1994-1999 and was honored by The Mineral Daily News-Tribune as Carrier of the Year in 1998.

The life-long member of Grace Baptist Church in Cumberland, Md., has also found time to serve her community. In addition to teaching Vacation Bible School last summer, Armentrout has volunteered at Heartland Nursing Home, helped build a house with Habitat for Humanity in Davidson, N.C., and assisted with local Toys for Tots collections.

In the future, Armentrout hopes to work as a pediatric cardiologist and conduct research in the area of cardiac arrhythmia. She will major in biochemistry as a Bucklew Scholar at WVU .

* Jeffrey David Burch is the son of David and Kathleen Burch of Huntington, Cabell County.

Huntington High lead counselor Carol Brown calls Burch her”Doogie Houser.”“I remember him when I enrolled the rising ninth graders and he looked exactly like the character in the TV program,”said Brown,”and I am positive that Jeff is just as bright asDoogie.”

Burch has come a long way since entering Huntington High. He was elected National Honor Society secretary and is a member of Mu Alpha Theta math honorary, French Honorary, Tri-M music honorary and the science club. In recognition of his academic success, Burch was invited last summer to both Mountaineer BoysState and the West Virginia Governors Honors Academy.

An accomplished musician, Burch has performed in the marching, jazz and concert bands since his freshman year. He participates in all-county band and was a member of the jazz band that won a superior rating at a competition in Virginia Beach. His musical endeavors also included working on the technical crew for Huntington High musicals and playing in the”Illusions”show choir band, the Greater Huntington Symphonic Band and his churchs brass choir.

Outside of the classroom, Burch was a Boy Scouts Patrol Leader. In his spare time he has worked in several part-time computer-related jobs, including his current job as a computer repair technician for PC Doctor.

Burch plans to major in general engineering at WVU and plans to complete a masters degree in business.

* Crystal Rachelle Canterbury is the daughter of Louella Canterbury and the late Rufus Canterbury of South Charleston, Kanawha County.

Canterbury, a senior at George Washington High School, considers her calling in life to be a career in the medical field.”Since the age of four I have been adamant in my decision to go into the medical field. Having visited almost my entire family there, I have yet to be bored by it; I am always captivated,”she said.

As a Bucklew Scholar at WVU , Canterbury will major in biology as a prelude to her medical career.

A National Merit Scholarship finalist, Canterbury has earned numerous accolades during her high school years. She has won the Gary King Award for leadership and community service, two Outstanding Musician awards and a Presidents Educational Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement. She is a member of Beta Club and a former member of National Junior Honor Society. She also competes in forensics.

An accomplished musician, Canterbury has studied piano since the age of four and displays her talent in a variety of musical endeavors. Besides playing in the marching and concert bands, she participates in the Kanawha Valley Community Band. She has received All-County and All-State Band honors numerous times and was a member of the WVU Honors Band in 1999 and West Virginia Honor Band in 1998.

When she is not studying or playing music, Canterbury is practicing martial arts. She holds a second degree black belt in both karate and tae kwon do. She earned gold medals in karate as a Junior Olympian and twice tied for the All-American title. In addition to her many other martial arts activities, she has a first degree black belt in aikido and was the youngest woman to earn the first dan degree in the United States.

* Kathryn Anne Clay is the daughter of Scott and Anna Clay of Keyser, Mineral County.

As Keyser High Schools co-valedictorian, Clays scholastic honors range from winning the Voice of Democracy Patriotic Speech Contest to receiving National Merit Commended Scholar accolades.

Perhaps even more impressive is her involvement in so many facets of Keyser Highs student life. She edits the Hi-Times school newspaper, serves as student life editor of the yearbook *, plays in the marching, concert and jazz bands and percussion ensemble, and holds leadership positions in numerous clubs and honoraries.

Clay also finds time to serve the Keyser community in various capacities. A member of the Pocahontas 4-H Club since second grade, she has participated in the”Stop the Smoke”program and has volunteered as a junior counselor at the Mineral County Younger 4-H Camp for the past three summers .* She uses her musical talent to serve others by acting as a substitute pianist for her church, Keyser Church of the Brethren, and other local churches. In addition, she has served as a counselor at the Camp Galilee Primary Church Camp for the past three summers and has joined in various community service projects, such as Toys for Tots, Trick-or-Can and Heartland Nursing Home visitation.”Community service has been an integral part of my life,”wrote Clay in her Bucklew Scholarship application.”I enjoy helping others while contributing to my community, witnessing the benefits of my labors.”

In recognition of her academic success and community service, Clay was chosen for the West Virginia Governors Honors Academy and was named the Elks National Foundation”Most Valuable Student”local and west district winner.

She plans to study occupational therapy and pursue a career in pediatric medicine.

* Andrew Scott Estel is the son of Carrol (Vernon) and Kathy Estel, Jr. of Morgantown, Monongalia County.

A National Merit Scholarship finalist, Estel has consistently challenged himself. During his junior year at University High he enrolled in four advanced placement classes, in addition to his full slate of extracurricular activities, and managed to maintain his first place class ranking. He is treasurer of National Honor Society and is a member of Spanish Honorary and Mu Alpha Theta math honorary.

Estel has achieved musical excellence as well. The four-year marching band member was chosen drum major for the 1999-2000 season, during which time he placed first in drum major contests at three band competitions. Estel said conducting has changed his view of music.”While I have always loved music and performing, I previously regarded music as strictly a hobby,”he wrote in his Bucklew Scholarship application.”However, through conducting, my love for music has grown, and I now desire to study music in college.”

During high school, he has played first chair alto saxophone in the concert band and wind ensemble and serves as this years president of Band Council. He has also studied classical guitar and piano.

Estel serves his community as a worship team member at Pierpont Church of the Nazarene and participates in service activities like the American Cancer Societys Relay for Life and Salvation Army fundraisers. He has volunteered as a counselor during the past four summers at the Free Methodist Childrens Camp and has traveled on two mission trips. Last year, Estel used his music skills to provide entertainment for birthday parties at Sundale Nursing Home.

As a Bucklew Scholar at WVU , Estel will enroll in pre-physics, with a second major in music composition. He plans to earn a Ph.D. in physics and teach and conduct research at a public university.

* Lindsay Anne Kruska is the daughter of Ralph and Claudia Kruska of Charleston, Kanawha County.

Catholic High School senior Lindsay Anne Kruska said she discovered the importance of leadership and determination when she was co-captain of her schools cross country team this past year.

As a Bucklew Scholarship finalist, Kruska has learned well how to channel these qualities of leadership and determination into the academic success she will need to fulfill her dreams of earning a chemical engineering degree and becoming a doctor.

Kruska was a member of the National Junior Honor Society from 1996-1997; secretary of the National Honor Society, from 1997-1999 and a National Merit Semi-Finalist in 1999. During the same year, she won the Bausch and Lomb Science Medal. Additionally, she is vice president of her Spanish Club.

When not studying, she volunteers as a candy striper at a local hospitalwork she considers to be informal training for her future medical career.

“Through my volunteer work at the hospital,”she said.”I have already become acquainted with some aspects of the medical field and have a strong desire to pursue medicine. I feel prepared and willing to accept any challenges that I will be presented with, in college.”

Catholic High School academic advisor Karen Whitaker said,”During her high school years, Lindsay has chosen to take the most rigorous college preparatory program possible.

“Through her intelligence and motivation, Lindsay has excelled,”Whitaker said.”When she was in eighth grade, she arranged with her math teacher to complete Algebra I independently, in addition to taking her own demanding courses.”

Whitaker said not only did she succeed academically, it launched her on a continuum of intellectual experiences.

“Last year, when it was time to select the Bausch and Lomb Science Medal recipient,”she said,”Lindsay was named immediately by the math and science teachers who taught her throughout high school. Quite a distinction among high caliber students.”

As she looks to her future, Kruska sees herself as”a well-respected doctor, practicing medicine in a small community. I hope to be active in my church community and spend my time wisely in the community.”

* Kenneth Michael”Kenny”Marn is the son of Barbara S. Spurlock of Birmingham, Ala., and lives with an aunt and uncle, Ron and Donna George, in Sistersville, Tyler County.Marn, a senior at Tyler Consolidated High School, has a career goal some would call out of this world: He wants to be an astronaut. With that in mind, he plans to major in aerospace engineering at WVU .”I really do not know what the chances are of me going to space, but I plan to find out,”he said. Marn has excelled as a musician at Tyler Consolidated. He plays trombone in the school’s marching, jazz and concert bands. He has won several honors, including Outstanding Improvisational Jazz Band Soloist in 1998 and Outstanding Jazz Musician in 1999. He said his involvement in the band has provided him with invaluable leadership experience. For the past two years, he has been first chair in the trombone section and is the trombone section leader this year. He also plays lead trombone in the jazz band.

“My leadership qualities are required both on and off the stage,”Marn said.”On the stage, I am expected to be able to play all of the parts and lead the section. Off the stage, I am responsible for keeping up the discipline of the members of the section, making sure that no one does anything to hurt the band’s good name.”He is a member of the school’s National Honor Society and served on Student Council from 1998-99.

* Michael Paul Oliverio is the son of Paul and Melinda Oliverio of Bridgeport, Harrison County.

The Bridgeport High School senior is no stranger to hard work. A National Merit Scholarship finalist, Oliverio has juggled successfully his academic responsibilities, extracurricular activities, community service and part-time employment.

Of his many activities, Oliverio is most proud of his role on the planning team of the 1999 West Virginia State Catholic Youth Convention (CYC). Besides his regular planning duties, he also stepped in at the last moment to coordinate the major skit performance when the director was unable to attend the convention.”The performance was a huge hit, not to mention the most enjoyable experience Ive ever had,”wrote Oliverio, who was surprised by the praise he received after the event.”I still dont feel like I did anything special, but I guess I really did make a difference.”

At Bridgeport High, Oliverio is a member of student council, National Honor Society, Spanish Honorary Society, Key Club, Quiz Bowl, International Club, SMAC Club and Spanish Club. He competed on the state champion Junior Engineering Technical Society Team during his freshman and sophomore years and finished in the all-around top 10 of the West Virginia Challenge in each of the past three years.An avid sports fan, Oliverio copy edits the sports section of the yearbook and holds the rank of senior sports writer for the school newspaper. He also represented the Indians on the soccer field for three seasons as a defender.

Oliverio has made a commitment to serve his community, which included teaching Spanish to Debbie Nicholsons students at Johnson Elementary for two years as part of his Spanish III and IV classes. As a member of All Saints Church, he has made food baskets for needy families, visited nursing homes and shut-ins and served on the State Catholic Youth Board.

In addition to his school and community activities, Oliverio works part-time at a fast food restaurant and writes for The Bridgeport News.

At WVU Oliverio plans to major in journalism.

* Adrian Brady Slider is the son of Walter V. (Van) and Barbara G. Slider of Paden City, Wetzel County.Slider, a senior at Paden City High School, plans to major in computer science in college. His long-range goal is to have a master’s degree in that field within 15 years.”I have chosen to enter the field of computer science because I see in it boundless room for innovation,”he said.”I believe I will find many ways to blend all my creative and problem-solving abilities into something new and better.”Slider also has musical aspirations, which include obtaining a bachelor’s degree in music performance and playing in a band. Music is already an integral part of his life. He is a member of the marching, concert and jazz bands at Paden City High and performed with the WVU Honor Band in 1998 and 1999. He has won several music honors, including West Virginia Jazz Festival Outstanding Soloist in 1998 and 1999. He has excelled academically during his four years at Paden City High. He was a National Merit Scholarship finalist and is a member of his school’s National Honor Society, serving as vice president. He attended the Governor’s School for the Arts in 1998 and the Governor’s Honors Academy in 1999. For the past three years, Slider has been president of his church youth group, a position he said has taught him a lot about leadership. He was also his school’s student body vice president in 1999.

* Gabriel Sean”Gabe”Tapia is the son of Judy Tapia of Morgantown, Monongalia County, and Nelson Tapia.

Morgantown High Senior Gabriel Tapia may be unsure of his future but says he has two long-term goals that he knows he will bring into certainty: becoming an innovator and a good parent.

“It is very difficult for me to say what position I will be holding four years from now, let alone 10 or 20,”he said.”I have not yet decided on any long-term goals except for the following two: I will earn an advanced degree, and I will be a good father.”

Tapia, a National Honor Society student and senior class president, said he is considering many areas of study, including physics, philosophy, English and computer science.

“I receive so much pleasure from the simple act of rational thought that it would be a grave injustice to narrow my focus down,”he said.

“But whatever field I choose to pursue later, I want to be an innovatorsomeone who creates that which has never been imagined before,”Tapia said.

Tapia, who credits his mother for inspiring him to pursue high goals, also enjoys writing and music. He has received several awards for writing including winning first place in the Monongalia County Young Writers Contest in 1998.

He also is lead cellist in the West Virginia Community Orchestra and has been a member of the West Virginia All-State Orchestra for the past three consecutive years.

Tapias academic honors include receiving outstanding students awards in chemistry and calculus, the National Hispanic Scholar Award, and being selected as a National Merit finalist. This past summer he also participated in the Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and George Washington University.

When not studying, playing music or writing, he works as a paper carrier for The Dominion Post.

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• Aaron Montgomery Vickers is the son of Montgomery and Renee Vickers of Hurricane, Putnam County.

Vickers, a senior at Hurricane High School, plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, then attend dental school with an emphasis on orthodontics. After finishing school, he wants to return to his hometown and open an orthodontic practice and a restaurant. His entrepreneurial interests started young. In 1997, he and a friend ran their own lawn care service in their neighborhood. Currently, he works in the maintenance department at Vision Associates Inc.

Vickers has distinguished himself as a leader at Hurricane High. He is student body president and has served on Student Council all four years. He led a team of students who reorganized the Homecoming Dance into a fund-raiser for a local child suffering from cancer and spearheaded a Student Council plan to assist a local family who lost their home in a fire. He is also a member of the school’s Teenage Republicans.”My leadership responsibilities have given me a wonderful learning experience and a great testa test I feel I have aced,”he said.”I have learned that I thrive when I can lead, and I will continue to someone who contributes rather than be a bystander.”Vickers’academic achievements speak for themselves. He is ranked highest in his class and is a National Merit Scholarship semi-finalist. He attended the West Virginia Governor’s Honors Academy during his junior year.