Fifteen of West Virginias top high school seniors have been offered Bucklew Scholarships to attend West Virginia University next fall.
Bucklew Scholarships, valued at $21,000, provide students with more than $5,000 toward educational costs per year for four years.
West Virginia University is proud to present these students with one of the Universitys highest honors,said Brian Hoover, WVU Scholars Program coordinator.They have not only achieved academic success, but they show tremendous character and commitment to community service.
The awards are named for former WVU President Neil S. Bucklew, who established the WVU Scholars Program during his tenure as the Universitys 20th president.
The 2004 recipients are:Amy Baisden, Chapmanville High School, Chapmanville, Logan County;Erika Betler, Pickens High School, Helvetia, Randolph County;Paul Braswell, Hedgesville High School, Hedgesville, Berkeley County;Scott Campbell, Wheeling Park High School, Wheeling, Ohio County;Cassie Cunningham, Tyler Consolidated High School, Middlebourne, Tyler County;Lindsey Daugherty, Parkersburg High School, Parkersburg, Wood County;Stuart Godwin, Bluefield High School, Bluefield, Mercer County;Angela Henderson, East Fairmont High School, Fairmont, Marion County;Katie Huffman, Poca High School, Poca, Putnam County;Isaac James, Braxton County High School, Gassaway, Braxton County;Allison Simpson, Frankfort High School, Fort Ashby, Mineral County;Lana Stiles, Clay-Battelle High School, Wana, Monongalia County;Erica Trump, Herbert Hoover High School, Elkview Kanawha County;Jessica Weaver, Fairmont Senior High School, Fairmont, Marion County; andJessica Young, Winfield High School, Scott Depot, Putnam County.
The scholarships are supported, in part, by the WVU Foundation Inc. and are part of the Universitys comprehensive awards program.
These 15 students will now compete for WVU s top academic award, the Foundation Scholarship, which is valued at $50,000. The five recipients will be announced in May at the Charleston Capitol Complex.
Bucklew Scholars
Amy Baisden is the daughter of David and Janice Baisden of Chapmanville, Logan County.
If her resume is any indication, she is well on her way to landing her dream job in politics or the government. As a high school student, she has worked alongside West Virginia lawmakers as a page in the state Senate and organized rallies for Republican Jim Mullins during a stint as a campaign worker.
Ranked first in her graduating class, Baisden has received numerous honors, including the prestigious Presidential Scholarship from WVU and a certificate of recognition from the Hugh OBrian Youth Leadership Program.
She excels not only in the classroom, but on the basketball court as well.
Looking back at her role as captain of the girlsvarsity team at Chapmanville High School, she said,I believe that my leadership enabled a team that went into the postseason with a losing record to play one of the most suspenseful tournament games in the history of our program against an extremely talented rival.
Besides athletics, Baisden has been active in the Key Club, Eagles Nest and Spanish Club. Through her involvement in these activities, she has participated in many community service projects including a toy drive for underprivileged children. She is also a regular volunteer at Logan General Hospital.
Erika Betler is the daughter of Diane and HenryKevinBetler of Helvetia, Randolph County.
At 18, this aspiring doctor has already made a big difference in other peoples lives. As a tutor at Pickens High School, she spends several hours each month helping her peers reach their educational goals, while at the same time becoming their close friend and confidant.
Betlers long list of activities includes: captain of the girlsvarsity basketball team, reporter for the school newspaper, director and producer in the Drama Club, student choreographer for the Dance Club and class vice president, just to name a few.
As a member of Zion Presbyterian Church, she organizes programs and activities. She also serves community dinners, assists with the 10K Mountain Run each fall, plans childrens activities for the Helvetia Fair and takes part in community restoration and beautification projects.
Betler said growing up in a small town taught her the value of teamwork.
Community service has taught me to work well with others,she said.I am very grateful for this quality because it has helped me to do well at my jobs and in other activities.
She has been named toWhos Who Among High School Students,placed in the top five twice in the Voice of Democracy essay competition and made the National Honor Roll four years in a row.
Paul Braswell , of Hedgesville, Berkeley County, is the son of JosephMichaelBraswell and Patricia McMillan.
A scholar, athlete, musician, humanitarianyou name it. This young man wears many hats.
He is the valedictorian at Hedgesville High School, where he is the trumpet section leader in the concert and marching bands, captain of the Science Bowl team, former vice president of the Latin Club and a member of the cross country and track and field teams.
Braswell, who plans to study engineering at WVU , has been namedOutstanding Young Scientistby the Central Intelligence Agency. He has taken home first prize in nearly every science fair hes entered, placed in the top 10 at Math Field Day and was named to the West Virginia All-State Band.
With all his success, its no wonder his classmates look up to him.
Whether they need help with a personal problem or school work, people know that I am reliable and willing to work with them to solve their problems,he said.
Scott Campbell is the son of Richard and Mary Campbell of Wheeling, Ohio County.
Campbell, an honor student and National Merit finalist, is ranked first in his class at Wheeling Park High School and has been recognized byWhos Who Among American High School Students.
In addition to maintaining an impressive grade point average, he has excelled in English, biology, political science and calculus Advanced Placement classes, and still manages to juggle many activities on the side.
During his freshman year, Campbell joined the Leo Club, a new student organization at his school, and was elected president. Since then, he has remained active in the group, coordinating activities and fund-raisers, which have led to hundreds of dollars of donations to local charities.
In his Bucklew Scholarship application, Campbell said it was his mothers influence that inspired him to get involved in other projects.
My mother, who teaches in a school for at-risk children, brought the first to my attention,he said.This service opportunity was a summer reading program for the schools children. I gathered a few of my friends to help.
Campbell plans to explore his academic opportunities at WVU by starting out as a general studies major.
Cassie Cunningham is the daughter of David and Brenda Cunningham of Middlebourne, Tyler County.
She describes herself as ago-to girl,inspiring friends to give their personal best. While at Tyler Consolidated High School, she immersed herself in academic, extra-curricular and community activities.
Cunningham is currently the secretary of the Student Council, Senior Class and Hi-Y, and president of the Technology Student Association.
She has received accolades from the Federation of State High School Associations, Future Business Leaders of America and TSA , among others.
Also an accomplished athlete, she placed in the top 10 at the Miss Cheerleader of America state competition and was a member of her high schools track and cross country teams, as well as the cheerleading squad.
Thankful for the opportunities she has been given, Cunningham gives back to her community by mentoring elementary school children and assisting at the Brush Strokes Art Camp and Middlebourne Ecumenical Vacation Bible School.
Through the generosity of people, our school continues to give students opportunities not many rural schools realize,she said.In keeping with their values, these people have taught me the necessity of giving.
Cunninghams career aspirations include working in research and development as a chemical engineer.
Lindsey Daugherty is the daughter of Susan and Steve Daugherty of Parkersburg, Wood County.
Recently, a college guidance counselor told Daugherty,Youre a natural leader,and her teachers would agree.
From the start of her freshman year, she was involved in leadership roles as editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, historian for the National Junior Honor Society and an editor of the yearbook, and thats just for starters.
Since then, she has represented Parkersburg High School at the National Federation of State High Schools Association Leadership Conference and attended the Naval Academy Summer Seminar as a state representative.
In addition to being a natural-born leader, Daugherty is also a role model in the classroom, receiving Outstanding Academic Achievement honors from the Presidents Education Awards Program and being named a National Merit finalist.
An avid athlete, Daugherty captained her school rowing team and led it to first place in its division at this years Ohio Valley Indoor Rowing Championships. She is also a former member of the Mid Ohio Valley Ballet Company.
After attending WVU , she hopes to use her degrees in French, and possibly foreign affairs, overseas.
I would love to spend my life traveling to other countries and speaking to people of diverse cultures,she said.There is something in speaking different languages that is incredibly appealing to me.
Stuart Godwin is the son of JamesJimboand Sue Godwin of Bluefield, Mercer County.
This year, he was named Bluefield High School Student of the Month, and its no wonder looking at his report card. During his high school career, he challenged himself to not one or two, but six Advanced Placement courses.
For his efforts, hes been listed inWhos Who Among Americas High School Students,namedOutstanding AP History Student during his junior year and recognized by the National Honor Society.
A math and science whiz, Godwin has used his knowledge to lead his team in the West Virginia Math and Science Bowl.
He is also a fierce competitor outside of the classroom as captain of the cross country and soccer teams. His other sports have included basketball, tennis and track.
Incredibly, Godwin still finds time to squeeze in other school and community activities. He is the president of the Interact Club, a member of the Pep Club and a volunteer at the Local Union Mission.
In the future, he looks forward to studying biology, possibly for a year outside the United States. When asked how he might spend the money provided by the Foundation Scholarship, he said,Another idea that I had for this money was to use it to work and study at a missionary camp in Africa. Although this idea scares me at times, I would love to learn more about medicine first-hand in a place that is in need of it so badly.
Angela Henderson is the daughter of Rose Marie and James Henderson of Fairmont, Marion County.
At East Fairmont High School, she is the president of her class and a member of the National Honor Society, French Honorary, Delta Kappa Beta and Busy Bee Band.
For three years, she has served on the Teen Court advisory board, a role which has been one of the most rewarding experiences of her life.
In Teen Court, we sentence juvenile first-time misdemeanor offenders in hopes of discouraging them from the path their lives may be taking,she wrote to the Bucklew Scholarship committee.While giving them consequences for their actions, it leaves them with a clean slate and a fresh start.
Henderson has earned numerous academic distinctions, including being welcomed into the Governors Honors Academy and National Honor Society. During her senior year, shes earned AP Calculus, AP English and College French honors.
Her community service efforts include feeding the homeless, tutoring junior high students, discussing problems in school through the Peace Initiative and teaching pre-school Sunday School at Mount Zion United Methodist Church.
While attending WVU , she plans on studying multiple foreign languages.
Katie Huffman is the daughter of Sharon and Bernard Huffman of Poca, Putnam County.
As valedictorian of her class, she takes pride in her achievements, which encompass academics, music and sports.
A former Congressional Award Nominee, Huffman has received the Americas Promise, Presidents Service and Presidents Education awards.
Her talents extend to the soccer field, where she is captain of the varsity squad. She has also been a member of the award-winning Poca High School Show Choir, National Honor Society, Math Field Day and Quiz Bowl teams, Key Club and band.
Becoming involved with 4-H and Girl Scouts at a young age, she said, fueled her passion for helping others.
I have my parents to thank for that motivation,she said.Through those activities, I discovered that there is no better feeling in the world than seeing a smile of gratitude on a face that I know I have helped in some way.
Huffman, who plans to study political science at WVU , dreams of becoming an ambassador.
Isaac James is the son of Alice and Stephen James of Gassaway, Braxton County.
A student at Braxton County High School, James is at the top of his class, having taken several Advanced Placement and college-level courses to better prepare him for what lies ahead.
He is co-captain of the Academic Bowl Team and parliamentarian for Student Council. Hes also on the Speech Team and played with the marching, concert and jazz bands.
Because of his interest in politics and government, James served as a page for the West Virginia House of Delegates, working with state lawmakers.
Among his honors, he has received National Merit Scholarship Honorable Mention twice, first place at the Student Congress and a mention inWhos Who Among American High School Students.
Reflecting on his education so far, James concluded,Throughout my education, Ive pursued academic excellence with a passion for learning. Ive accepted the role of leadership in the classroom when assigned to group projects.
Active in his community, he has helped remodel the Rosedale Community Center, explained the science of launching rockets to elementary school children and organized a canned food drive and other service projects.
Allison Simpson is the daughter of Michelle and Brian Simpson of Fort Ashby, Mineral County.
With a knack for science, she has competed in Math Field Day and plans to pursue a biology degree at WVU .
A National Merit semifinalist and member of the National Honor Society, Simpson has always been at the top of her gamewhether in an Advanced Placement class or in a cross country meet.
This year, she was named Student Athlete of the Month and Student of the Month at Frankfort High School.
Her school activities include being a peer mediator, boysbasketball statistician, student council representative and senior class vice president.
Simpson has always enjoyed community service, but especially working at a nursing home, summer reading program, daycare center and doing streamside/roadside cleanup. All of which, she said, allowed her to meet different kinds of people and learn the value of patience and understanding.
Spending time at the nursing home taught me to value and respect the elderly,she said.It seems that many young people often do not realize how lucky they are to have their grandparents or great-grandparents around.
Lana Stiles is the daughter of Randy and Beth Stiles of Wana, Monongalia County.
Well-liked among her peers, Stiles was voted Homecoming queen and most valuable player on the varsity cheerleading squad at Clay-Battelle High School.
This past year, she was accepted into the Governors Honors Academy and was honored with the All-American Scholar, Principals 4.0, Presidents Student Service, Outstanding Student of America and WVU Presidential Scholarship awards.
Valedictorian of her class, Stiles is furthering her education by taking college-level courses.
Additionally, shes taken on several leadership positions such as student council president, a role which she takes very seriously.
I make decisions that affect the entire student body attending my high school,she wrote in her Bucklew Scholar application.I have chosen to coordinate activities such as the American Red Cross blood drives and a Responsible Student Program, which forces my peers to be more respectful of themselves and the staff.
Aside from these activities, Stiles is involved in many volunteer services through her church, such as Nursing Home Shopping Sprees and the Angel Tree Project.
At WVU , she plans to study biology.
Erica Trump is the daughter of Diane Calvert of Elkview, Kanawha County.
After she suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car accident, Trump wasnt sure if shed ever be able to walk independently again.
Against all odds, she returned to school and will graduate the first in her class.
I sought to lead my classmates by example,she wrote in her Bucklew Scholarship application.I remained positive throughout my recovery as I put schoolwork above entertainment and other activities. Other students noticed my dedication, and despite having been separated from my classmates for more than a year, I was elected to a student council office and named �€~most likely to succeedby my peers.
For Trump, math and science have always been her strengths. A student at Herbert Hoover High School, she has been recognized for outstanding achievement in computer science and AP calculus.
Shes received the Optimist Club and Harvard Book awards, among others, and was a United States Presidential Scholar candidate.
In addition, she participated in the Governors Honors Academy, National Honor Society, student council, Helping Hands, Natural Helpers, Bible and Prayer clubs, Teens Against Tobacco Use and tutoring.
Once at WVU , Trump hopes to study biomedical engineering.
Jessica Weaver is the daughter of Chris and Debbie Weaver of Fairmont, Marion County.
As class valedictorian, Weaver will look back on her days at Fairmont Senior High School as some of the best times of her life.
Community service, school and state and federal government have become important aspects of my life,she said.Through these interests, Ive been blessed with many leadership opportunities including: class president, party vice chairman at Girls Nation and chief organizer of service projects.
Some of Weavers other school activities are WFHS -TV News, Keyettes, National Honor Society, student council, Mu Alpha Theta, Math League Team, Science Honorary and Madrigals.
She also volunteers for the Quilt Project, Salvation Army, Soup Opera and HOBY Alumni Association.
Her honors and awards are many, including senator to Girls Nation 2003, Citizen to Rhododendron Girls State 2003,Whos Who Among American High School Students,Presidents Service Award and Elks Student of the Month.
She plans to pursue a degree in biology.
Jessica Young is the daughter of Laura and GeorgeShelbyYoung of Scott Depot, Putnam County.
Throughout her life, academics, extra-curricular activities and community service have been the foundation of her success, as evidenced by her resume.
One of her proudest moments has been serving as 4-H club president at Winfield High School and helping boost attendance at county camp.
I am motivated by a constant desire to do more, whether in school or in the world,she said.Im not merely ambitious or an incorrigible overachiever; Im here to save the world.
Youngs long list of activities also includes Putnam County Teen Leaders, National Honor Society, Academic Team and band.
Equally as impressive are her honors and awards, including being named a National Merit Scholarship finalist and receiving top finishes in the WordMasters Challenge and Literary Magazine Contest.
Between schoolwork and various activities, she has still managed to find time to volunteer for the Community Cupboard, A Cause for Paws, nursing homes, Cardiac Care and the Jacksons Mill Pool Fund.
Following graduation, Young will study history at WVU .