BUCKHANNON, West Virginia  – Parkersburg High School rising senior Brenna Bond aspires to be a pediatrician and is now one step closer to reaching her goal. As the winner of the West Virginia Scholar Program, Bond, the daughter of Daniel and Brandy Bond, is receiving a full tuition plus room and board scholarship to attend West Virginia Wesleyan College beginning in fall 2027.

Bond has been active in Key Club, Diversity Student Union, Student Council, A Capella and Chamber Choirs, and represented PHS at the WV State Science Fair in 2024 while maintaining an over 4.0 grade point average. 

“Right now, I’m just in a state of shock,” she said after winning the scholarship.  “I didn’t expect it, but I’m here now and I’m super ecstatic. It is a beautiful campus here. Everyone seems very welcoming.”

Bond said she was interested in WVWC because of its Go D.O.! Pathway, which offers admission to WVWC and the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, and she is interested in exploring that route to achieving her career.  

WVWC will also award $5,000 and $2,500  annual scholarships to Kazlyn Hughart, of Woodrow Wilson High School, and Rawyn Fluharty, of Bridgeport High School,  as the first and second runner-up, respectively.

All finalists qualify to receive the Presidential Scholarship, the top academic scholarship for new students, to attend WVWC in Fall 2026. Over the previous 18 years of the West Virginia Scholar Program, approximately two-thirds of finalists have gone on to attend WVWC. Previous winners and finalists are now enjoying successful careers in health care, law, business and education.

John Waltz ’01, Vice President of Enrollment Management and Marketing, said, “We are so proud of these finalists and to host this program for the 19th year with tremendous sponsors from around the state.  Brenna, like many WVWC students, aspires to meet our region’s needs through health care.  We are proud to welcome her and many of these talented finalists next year to the class of 2027.”  

West Virginia high school juniors were eligible to apply with a transcript and an essay. Ranking of the finalists was determined by WVWC, sponsors of the West Virginia Scholar Program and online voting. The West Virginia Scholar Program will begin accepting next year’s applications in February 2027.

Finalists also included Eryn Ashcraft, Lincoln High School; Megan Brown, of Chapman Regional High School; Micah Brittain, Bridgeport High School; Megan Brown, Chapmanville Regional High School; Amara Caison, Washington High School; Adelyn Groves, of Ripley High School; Hayden Harsanyi, Princeton High School; William Jarvis,  Nicholas County High School;  Jacob Reiner, Parkersburg South High School; Matilda Rodebaugh,  Nicholas County High School; Adura Skidmore, Robert C. Byrd High School; Isaac Thompson, of Lincoln County High School;  and Alexandra Windstead,  Musselman High School

The Culpepper Wesleyan Scholars Award, supported by the late Marvin Culpepper ’51, and Hon. ’06 and Elaine Karnes Culpepper ’54, Hon. ’06, provides a portion of the funding for the West Virginia Scholar Program each year.  In addition to WVWC and West Virginia MetroNews, the West Virginia Scholar Program is sponsored by Greer Industries, West Virginia Hospital Association, ZMM Architects and Engineers, Friends of Coal and the West Virginia Farm Bureau. 

ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE
West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC) is a private, four-year residential liberal arts and sciences college in Buckhannon, West Virginia. A tradition of excellence for 135 years, West Virginia Wesleyan is home to 14 Fulbright Scholars. The Princeton Review ranked Wesleyan as one of its 2026 Best Colleges in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2026  Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan second in Best Value – Regional Universities (South). WVWC offers students nearly 60 majors and 40 minors; graduate programs in athletic training, business administration, creative writing, nursing and counseling; 22 NCAA Division II athletic programs; multiple performing arts groups; and more than 50 organizations. Founded in 1890, the College is closely affiliated with the United Methodist Church and abides by the Wesley doctrine that emphasizes service to others. For more information, visit wvwc.edu.