The Tucker Community Foundation recently awarded scholarships to 30 students in Tucker County.

The top scholarship awards went to Tucker County High School graduates Owen Poling, Riley Evans, Christopher Chambers and Inza Pacella. Poling is the recipient of a $2,000 four-year renewable Kep & Alice Smith Scholarship award. Evans is the recipient of $3,750 from the Rebecca Ann Chenoweth Memorial Scholarship Fund. Chambers is the recipient of $2,800 from the H. Max Price Scholarship Fund. Pacella is the recipient of $2,800 from the Davis Fraternal Order of Eagles Scholarship Fund.

Poling plans to attend Fairmont State University to study civil engineering. He has always tried to be role model and leader for his school and county. In high school Poling was involved in varsity football, basketball, track and a member of the National Honor Society. He also volunteered with the St. George United Methodist Church Youth Group. He is the son of Matthew and Rebecca Rader of Davis.

Evans plans to attend Fairmont State University to study occupational therapy. Her experiences growing up in Tucker County helped her become the dedicated person that she is today. In high school Evans was Senior Class President, a member of the National Honor Society, played varsity basketball team and was Homecoming Queen.

Chambers plans to attend Glenville State College to study music performance. In high school he found a deep connection to music and plans to turn into a career. He was a member of band and theater, a member of the National Honor Society and a letterman on the track and cross country teams. He is the son of Matthew and Margaret Chambers of Parsons.

Pacella plans to attend Davis & Elkins College to study environmental science. She has seen firsthand the decline of the planet and would like to reverse the impacts. She was a member of Girl Scouts, National Honor Society, Young Life and 4-H. She is the daughter of Joshua Pacella of Parsons and Kristie Owens of Thomas.

Overall, the Tucker Community Foundation awarded over $82,000 in scholarships to 55 area students in nine counties. Funds for the awards are generated by endowed funds, pass-through donations, and unrestricted income managed by the Foundation.

Additional Tucker County High School students receiving scholarships include:

Audrey Stefenson of Thomas is a recipient of $2,000 from the Crimson Shamrock Scholarship Fund. Stefenson is attending West Virginia University and pursuing a Master of Science degree in counseling. She has  an internship with Barbour Behavioral Health in Philippi.

Corrick Ambrose of Montrose is a recipient of $1,750 from the Harry-Elizabeth Boyce Scholarship Fund. Ambrose plans to attend West Virginia University to study energy and land management. He is the son of James and Melanie Ambrose.

Katalin Moore of Parsons is a recipient of $1,750 from the Michael Shahan Scholarship Fund. Moore is attending Marshall University and pursuing a Master of Science degree in clinical mental health counseling. She is the daughter of Keith and Sheila Lipscomb.

Angela Bohon of Parsons is a recipient of $1,500 from the Enos, Delbert H. & Shirley Carr Scholarship Fund. Bohon is attending West Virginia University and pursuing a doctorate degree in nursing. She is the daughter of Marvin and Sandra Bohon.

Zane Myers of Hambleton is a recipient of $1,250 from the Parsons High School Alumni Scholarship Fund. Myers plans to attend Potomac State College to study pre-pharmacy. He is the son of David and Lynnette Myers.

Anna DiBacco of Parsons is a recipient of $1,250 from the Parsons High School Alumni Scholarship Fund. DiBacco plans to attend Fairmont State University to study physical therapy. She is the daughter of Joseph and Ankara DiBacco.

Helen Melnick of Morgantown is a recipient of $1,250 from the Orr Family Fund. Melnick is attending West Virginia University and studying nursing. She is the daughter of Jeff and Ruth Melnick of Parsons.

John Anderson of Dryfork is a recipient of $1,250 from the Doug & Betty Preble Scholarship Fund. Anderson plans to attend West Virginia University to study engineering. He is the son of John and Lisa Anderson.

McKinley Murphy of Hambleton is a recipient of $1,250 from the W. Denzel & Ernestine A. Kee Scholarship Fund. Murphy plans to attend Liberty University to study sports psychology. She is the daughter of David and Stephanie Murphy.

Lindsey Knotts of Hambleton is a recipient of $1,000 from the George W. & Marjorie H. Walburn Memorial Fund. Knotts is attending Potomac State College and studying sustainable agriculture entrepreneurship. She is the daughter of Timothy and Pamela Knotts.

Lalah Ends of Thomas is a recipient of $1,000 from the Bradley J. Ramsey Memorial Scholarship Fund. Ends plans to attend Fairmont State University to study chemistry. She is the daughter of Danny Ends and Tammy Ashby.

Wyatt Hall of Davis is a recipient of $1,000 from the Jillian Roberts & Matilde Villalobos Millennium Scholarship. Hall plans to attend West Virginia University to study chemical engineering. He is the son of Thomas and Cynthia Hall.

Mark Barnes of Davis is a recipient of $1,000 from the Sponaugle Memorial Scholarship. Barnes plans to attend Fairmont State University to study criminal justice. He is the son of Ben and Dona Duckett.

Seth Cangley of Thomas is a recipient of $1,000 from the Walter & Mary Shaffer Helmick Scholarship. Cangley plans to attend Fairmont State University to study computer science and cyber security. He is the son of Mark and Ann Cangley.

Rebecca White of Parsons is the recipient of $1,000 from the Forrest G. Clark Scholarship. White is attending Francian Missionaries of Our Lady University and studying nursing. She currently works in Tucker County as a nurse and has two children.

Julia Burnside of Hambleton is the recipient of $1,000 from the Madeline R. & Lestor E. Miller Scholarship. Burnside plans to attend Davis & Elkins College to study business and marketing. She is the daughter of Darren and Stacy Burnside.

Kelcee James of Parsons is a recipient of $700 from the Herbert W. Clarkson Scholarship. James plans to attend West Virginia University to study psychology. She is the daughter of Jessica James.

Benjamin Cromer of Parsons is a recipient of $700 from the Herbert W. Clarkson Scholarship. Cromer plans to attend Fairmont State University to study engineering and pre-med. He is the son of Jeffrey Cromer and Susan Marks.

Lauren Cockerham of Hendricks is a recipient of $600 from the Harold W. & Ruth F. Shaffer Scholarship. Cockerham plans to attend West Liberty University to study dental hygiene and orthodontics. She is the daughter of Melissa Hanks.

Kaleb Snider of Thomas is a recipient of $600 from the Harold W. & Ruth F. Shaffer Scholarship. Snider plans to attend West Virginia University to study general business. He is the son of Kurt Snider and Olivia Snider.

Paityn Clower and Wyatt Clower of Parsons are the recipient of $200 each from the Gary E. Wilson Fund. Both are homeschooled and use the Christian Light Education Publications program. Their parents are Daniel and Heather Clower.

Also receiving a scholarship is Elva Bible of Parsons. She is a recipient of $200 from the Gary E. Wilson Fund. Bible will attend Simmons and Company Educational Consulting for her elementary schooling. She is the daughter of Sonya Bible.

A list of 2019 scholarship recipients can be found www.tuckerfoundation.net/scholarships/2019-scholarship-awards/.  Scholarships are awarded based on a competitive application process. The Foundation received over 180 applications during the 2019 scholarship cycle.

The Tucker Community Foundation manages more than 130 endowed funds providing annual scholarships and grants to nonprofits and charitable causes throughout the eight-county service area – Barbour, Grant, Mineral, Pocahontas, Preston, Randolph and Tucker counties in W.Va. and Garrett County, Md. Inspired by the flood of 1985, the mission of the Foundation is to create opportunities for the communities we serve. For more information on scholarships or to learn about the foundation, visit www.tuckerfoundation.net.

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