Tuesday, May 1st, 2012

Fifteen top high school juniors from across West Virginia are the semifinalists for the fifth annual West Virginia Scholar Program. The winner will receive a full, four year scholarship to West Virginia Wesleyan College valued at $125,000.

Director of Admissions John Waltz says the competition will be tough.  “It’s really incredible.  They have an average GPA of a 3.9, really very impressive, an average ACT of a 24.  So, really, it is some of our state’s best and brightest students,” Waltz said.

Following the interviews, the ten finalists will be announced May 28th and online voting will begin that day at www.wvmetronews.com.  The voting will run through June 17th.

The 2012 West Virginia Scholar will be introduced at an awards luncheon at West Virginia Wesleyan in Buckhannon on June 21.

The fifteen finalists are: Emma Bryan, Charles Town; Jackson Carey, Follansbee; Mary Casto, Inwood; Jordan Danko, Ravenswood; Breann Dean, Core; Anna Flesher, Murrayville; Brianna Kowalsky, Follansbee; Kathalyn Maxson, Ravenswood; Andrew Mellert, Kenna; Summer Peyton, Chapmanville; Rachel Ransom, Kearneysville; Allison Roberts, Vienna; Emily Stasny, Tioga; Ashley Watson, Friendly; and Katharine Williams, Charleston.

The West Virginia Scholar Program is sponsored by Energize WV, the West Virginia Coal Association, the West Virginia Forestry Association, West Virginia Wesleyan College, and MetroNews.