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

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

The recipients are: Ingrid Bohme , Williamson High School, Williamson, Mingo County; Roopan Fischer , Nitro High School, Cross Lanes, Kanawha County; Daniel Funk , Hedgesville High School, Hedgesville, Berkeley County; Patrick Huffman , Liberty High School, Salem, Harrison County; Eric Lawrence , Keyser High School, Keyser, Mineral County; Cristy Loving , Greenbrier East High School, Lewisburg, Greenbrier County; Lance Meeker , John Marshall High School, Glen Dale, Marshall County; Robert Moore IV, North Marion High School, Barrackville, Marion County; Valerie Perrine , Webster County High School, Cowen, Webster County; Matt Schessler , George Washington High School, Charleston, Kanawha County; Britni Schoonover , Herbert Hoover High School, Procious, Clay County; Alfred Shoukry , Morgantown High School, Morgantown, Monongalia County; Rose Simis , Fairmont Senior High School, Fairmont, Marion County; Ross Williams , Hampshire High School, Romney, Hampshire County; and Luanne Yang , George Washington High School, Charleston, Kanawha County.

The scholarships are supported, in part, 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 $35 million in scholarships ranging from one-time, $1,000 awards to full, four-year awards valued at nearly $48,000.

These 15 students will now compete for WVU ’s top academic award, the Foundation Scholarship, which will be announced in May at the state Capitol in Charleston. Each year, five Foundation Scholarships are awarded solely to West Virginia high school (resident) students.

• Ingrid Allison Bohme is the daughter of Mary Jane Bohme of Williamson, Mingo County. College has never been an option for Ingrid Bohme; it has been a lifelong goal. Looking over her academic, extracurricular and community service record at Williamson High School, there is no question she has worked to prepare herself for the rigors of college life. Bohme is valedictorian of her senior class and also serves as vice-president. As a member of the academic team, she was a finalist in tournaments held in Kanawha and Clay Counties.”I have an urge to excel in everything I participate in,”Bohme wrote in her Bucklew scholarship application.”I believe that if I am going to put my heart, soul, time and energy into a project, I want it to be the best possible.”As a member of the Key Club and her church youth group, Bohme has been involved in community food and gift drives. She also has volunteered for home improvement projects for the less fortunate and elderly in her community. Bohme is a member of the Williamson High drama department, and was a candidate for Homecoming Queen last year. She has attended the Governor’s Honors Academy, Rhododendron Girl’s State and Camp Horseshoe Leadership Camp Bohme plans to major in philosophy at WVU . Her long-range goals are to attend the WVU College of Law and become a practicing attorney.

• Roopan Elizabeth Fischer is the daughter of Donald and Ameeta Fischer of Cross Lanes, Kanawha County. This aspiring doctor wants to make it in the”real world,”but says what happens to her in between is what will bring her ultimate success. So for Roopan Fischer, advanced placement courses, leadership roles and community service are a way of life. As a student at Nitro High School, Fischer is president of the math honorary Mu Alpha Theta and a member of the student council and National Honor Society. She also has served as editor of the yearbook, vice president of her junior class and vice president of the Spanish Club. Volunteering at the Day Surgery Center in Charleston taught Fischer it isn’t the size of the job or the”pat on the back”one gets at the end of the day that makes an experience rewarding, but the personal satisfaction one feels when they have left their seemingly small imprint on the hearts of others. Fischer has earned numerous academic honors, including the Bausch and Lomb science honorary award and the Best Spanish Student award. In her spare time, she enjoys math tutoring and babysitting.

• Daniel Funk is the son of Douglas and Janet Funk of Hedgesville, Berkeley County. Daniel Funk’s career goal is to someday lead the men and women of the U.S. military. A lofty dream? Not hardly for a young man who already holds the top position of his J.R.O.T.C unit at Hedgesville High School. Driven to pursue leadership experiences by the challenges they present, Funk says his time in J.R.O.T.C has helped him to form a successful leadership style. Since 1999, he has risen from Element Leader to Group Commander. He has graduated from both the Cadet Officer Leadership School and the Mountain Cadet Officer Leadership School. Academics are also important to Funk. His philosophy is”to sign up for the most challenging courses available.”Funk took his first college course as a high school sophomore earning an”A”in English 101 at Potomac State College of WVU . Funk, a member of the National Honor Society, is a National Merit Finalist and has won numerous awards as a member of the J.R.O.T.C including the Military Order of Worlds Wars Award for Merit and the American Legion Award for General Military Experience. Community service efforts include Salvation Army bell ringing, winning the Most Successful Kettle Award in 2001, and Hospice yard sales. As a member of the Thespian Club, Daniel enjoys theatre and classical arts. He is also a member of the wrestling team.

• Patrick Robert Huffman is the son of Robert and Joanna Huffman of Salem, Harrison County. Liberty High School valedictorian Patrick Huffman plans to major in pharmacy and be a successful pharmacist as well as pharmaceutical researcher.”The biggest impact I could make would be to discover a new drug that would lead to the cure of a terrible disease such as cancer or AIDS ,”he said. Huffman is a member of National Honor Society and Who’s Who Among American High School Students, and has won numerous math, science and character education contests and taken many honors and advanced placement courses. He is a member of the school’s nationally ranked Civil Rights Team, and has been active in Student Council throughout high school and currently serves as treasurer. An avid athlete, he captains the varsity basketball team, as well as track and cross country squads. He is also a section leader in the LHS Marching and Concert Bands and first chair in the All-County Band. Active in his community, Huffman volunteers with church projects, the local food pantry, United Way, Salvation Army, DARE , Clarksburg City Council and Teens Against Tobacco Use, among other projects. He plans to remain in West Virginia to work, raise a family and become involved in his communitywhether that’s coaching children’sports, working with a local charity or holding public office.

• Eric James Lawrence is the son of James and Barbara Lawrence of Keyser, Mineral County. While at Keyser High School, Eric Lawrence has immersed himself in academic, extracurricular and community activities. All of which, he says, has helped him to develop leadership skills and an appreciation for hard work. Lawrence has played three sports (soccer, basketball and track) all four years of high school, serving his senior year as captain of the soccer team. In his Bucklew scholarship application, Lawrence said of his involvement in athletics:”I learned that is is best to lead by example, striving to improve my own play in an attempt to motivate my teammates.”He has taken part in the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Program and Boy’s State, both of which he says allowed him to learn a great deal about leadership. He is president of the Science Club, and a member of the drama and ski clubs as well student council. Lawrence has taken AP and college level classes to better prepare him for what lies ahead and is a member of the National Honor Society and the math honorary Mu Alpha Theta. After attending WVU , Lawrence hopes to becomes an orthopedia surgeon or a physical therapist.

• Cristy Lee Loving is the daughter of Michael and Cindy Loving of Lewisburg, Greenbrier County. As 2003 class valedictorian at Greenbrier East High School and president of the senior class, Cristy Loving certainly knows what it is to be a leader. But her involvement doesn’t stop there. She also serves as president of the school’s chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, a role in which she’s been able to deliver positive messages in monthly meetings to over 70 student athlete members about the importance of sportsmanship, integrity, perseverance through adversity, and playing God’s way. As captain of the volleyball team, Loving read motivational quotes daily to the team during stretches. She then told a story that tied each quote into athletics. In her Bucklew scholarship application, she said,”I wanted to do more than improve our team’s performance. I wanted to make our younger players feel welcome and confident instead of intimidated.”Loving also captained the basketball team, earning Special Honorable Mention All State. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the math honorary Mu Alpha Theta. Loving has been involved in her church youth group, 4-H and the YMCA , cleaning homes, visiting residents at local nursing homes and planting trees around Lewisburg. She plans to earn her bachelor’s degree in 3 years before attending graduate school tobecome a physical therapist.

• Lance James Meeker is the son of James and Jo Ann Meeker of Glen Dale, Marshall County. Class valedictorian, football co-captain, basketball co-captain-Lance Meeker is a great example of a student who has achieved success both on and off the field. From playing three”team”sports at John Marshall High School (football, basketball, baseball), Meeker says the building of a team and the closeness that is shared is far more valuable than the amount of wins and losses. His football coach describes him as a”quiet leader”who gives 100 percent on the field. Meeker’s academic curriculum includes Honors and AP classes. He is a member of the National Honor Society, student council and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Because of his love of sports, Meeker helps with community basketball camps and the county’s youth basketball league. He says his motivation comes from”helping others to succeed.”Meeker, who plans to study Engineering at WVU , attended the National Youth Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. He also was selected for inclusion in the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce Junior Leadership Program. The opportunity gave him first hand involvement in how community leaders network in order to see a project to completion.

• Robert (Bobby) Wayne Moore IV is the son of Robert and Brenda Moore of Barrackville, Marion County. Also the valedictorian of his senior class at North Marion High School, Bobby Moore plans to major in international studies. He is vice president of the student body, president of Key Club, president of the North Mario Civil Rights Team and editor of the school newspaper, The Husky Hotline. He is also a member of the National Honor Society, secretary of Mu Alpha Theta (math honorary) and a member of the Geography and Spanish Club. He, too, took a number of honors and advanced placement courses to better prepare for the demands of college. Moore volunteers his time at the local hospital and at his church, and also teaches computer skills to senior citizens. He says of the college experience that he hopes”to grasp on to each opportune experience,”and allow the University to teach the character and wisdom that Winston Churchill spoke so fervently about when he said that a university does more than saturate students with knowledge, but rather”accelerates the final transformation from girl to woman and boy to man.”

• Valerie Nicole Perrine is the daughter of John and Katherine Perrine of Cowen, Webster County. Valerie Perrine’s desire to take charge, be assertive and exhibit entrepreneurial spirit motivated her to become a leader at Webster County High School. She is valedictorian of her senior class, class president, student council president and president of the National Honor Society.”If I see room for improvement, or a task that needs attention, I am eager to bring about the necessary change because I like to better my surroundings,”Perrine wrote in her Bucklew scholarship application. The same can be said for Perrine’s involvement in the community. She volunteers for programs like little league baseball and junior basketball because of her desire to help others in need, especially children. Perrine also is active in athletics, serving as captain of the both the girl’s track and cross-country teams. She’s also president of the local 4-H club. Among her many awards and accomplishments: Who’s Who in America High School Seniors, National Honor Roll, National Merit Scholarship Finalist and a 2002 West Virginia Governor’s Honors Academy participant. Perrine is undecided on her major.

• Matthew Joseph Schessler is the son of Michael and Susan Schessler of Charleston, Kanawha County. High school is more than learning from textbooks and laboratory experiments for Matt Schessler. This George Washington High School student has excelled not only in the classroom, but in extracurricular activities and community service. Through the Beta Club, Schessler recorded over 80 hours tutoring fellow classmates in calculus, chemistry and English while taking advanced placement and honors courses in those subjects. He also has spent numerous hours helping the elderly by shoveling snow from their driveways and doing yard work. Schessler has been a four-year varsity letterman for the GW football team and a member of the Teenage Republicans for 3 years, serving as treasurer.”Tomorrow’s leaders arise from the ranks of those unafraid to challenge themselves by taking the highest level classes possible and striving to excel within those classes,”said Schessler in his Bucklew scholarship application. Schessler attended Mountaineer Boy’s State, is a member of Who’s Who Among American High School Students and was a West Virginia semi-finalist in the Senate Youth Program. This year, he received the Advanced Placement Scholar Award. Schessler plans to study chemistry at WVU and would like to someday be a successful doctor with his own surgical practice.

• Britni Hisae Schoonover is the daughter of Lawrence and Kathleen Schoonover of Procious, Clay County. The valedictorian of her senior class at Herbert Hoover High School, Britni Schoonover plans to major in biology and eventually pursue a career as a scientist or medical doctor.”Twenty years from now, I may be a scientist making a life altering discovery or a doctor making a difference one patient at a time,”she said, noting that she will work to her fullest potential to achieve her goals and dreams. Schoonover has taken a number of honors, advanced placement and college level courses, and was also selected for the National Honor Society and Who’s Who Among American High School Students. Active in her school and in her community, she serves as senior class vice president, Natural Helper group leader and trainer, captain of the dance team, captain of the Quiz Bowl team and captain of the softball team. She is also involved in her church, especially with the music ministry program, and volunteers with Little League and Girl Scouts. As a leader, Schoonover says one of the biggest challenges she faces this year will be bringing her softball team together following the tragic loss of one of the team members in a car accident in February. Being a leader has always been a comfortable place for her, she said, and she hopes to remain strong and help to carry her team through this heartache and sadness.

• Alfred Samir Shoukry is the son of Samir Shoukry and Marlene Iskander of Morgantown, Monongalia County. Alfred Shoukry considers himself a reformer. From reorganizing Morgantown High School’s Science Honor’s books as its new treasurer to increasing the membership and activities of the Math Honor as its president, Shoukry believes the most important responsibility of any leader is improving that organization in which he or she is leading. This National Merit Finalist also is a member of the History Honor, National Honor Society, FIRST Robotics Team, and Junior Engineering Technical Society (JETS). He was named an AP Rising Scholar with Honors in 2002, and has won numerous awards for his participation in JETS and the Robotics Team. Shoukry enjoys community service activities that allow him to meet a wide range of people. They include volunteering as an official for Special Olympics, tutoring and helping elderly residents at Sundale Nursing Home. He says the reward from volunteerism is knowing that you have helped someone. Shoukry has taken as many AP and Honors courses as possible, making sure they cover a wide spectrum of subjects. He intends to major in biology at WVU and then medical school with aspirations of becoming a doctor.

• Rose Marie Simis is the daughter of Richard and Mary Simis of Fairmont, Marion County. Actress, bassoonist, valedictorianRose Simis has worn all of these hats at just 17 years of age. Her interest in theater and music at Fairmont Senior High School is evident by her participation in seven school productions, the marching band and the concert band. She also is involved in the bell choir, youth group and pastoral council at her church. Simis, who plans to major in business and Spanish at WVU , is a member of Spanish and Science Honoraries, the math honorary Mu Alpha Theta and the National Honor Society. Her honors and awards are many, including National Merit Finalist, top ten ranking in the Fairmont Senior High Math League and a member of the WordMaster’s Gold Team. She also was selected to attend the 2002 Governor’s Honor Academy and was a state qualifier at the Regional Thespian Festival. Simis’dream is to someday work for the Southern Poverty Law Center handling pro bono civil rights/civil liberties cases. She writes in her Bucklew scholarship application,”I want to make an impact in the world by earning my living at a job that can make a difference in people’s lives.”

• Paul Ross Williams is the son of Eugene and Nancy Williams of Romney, Hampshire County. Community service is a major part of Ross Williams’life. The Hampshire High School senior has participated in a number of volunteer activities at this church including week-long work camps, fund-raising for world hunger and raking leaves for senior citizens. He’s also taken part in canned food drives and trash cleanups, and is a 4-H teen leader.”Far from seeming like a chore, I felt a greater connection to the world through helping others,”Williams wrote in his Bucklew scholarship application. Williams also excels as a leader at his school, serving this year as president of both the Student Council and National Honor Society, and secretary of the senior class. He also represented West Virginia at Citizenship Washington Focus, a national government and leadership conference. His academic honors include National Merit Finalist, WVU Presidential Scholar and the National German Honor Society. Last summer, Williams took part in the Governor’s Honors Academy. Williams is undecided on his major, but may explore some liberal arts and science courses upon enrolling at WVU .

• Luanne Yang is the daughter of Bing and Lisha Yang of Charleston, Kanawha County. A National Merit Finalist, Luanne Yang knows the importance of academics. But this long-time pianist and tennis player doesn’t just hit the books at George Washington High School. Her achievements in extracurricular activities and community service are just as great. Yang is treasurer of her senior class , president of the Beta Club and a member of the Key Club. She is also a varsity member of the Quiz Bowl team and has participated in regional math field day events. She enjoys community service that helps young children and provides them with a role model who can be a mentor. Yang has volunteered at many elementary school functions, youth swim meets and teen nights out at the local YMCA . She also has helped with school blood, food, clothing and book drives. Yang was named an AP Scholar with Honors and last summer, took part in the Governor’s Honors Academy. Yang will study biology this fall. Her goal is to be accepted into the WVU Medical School and become a doctor.