Clifton Forge, May 28, 2015 — The Dabney S. Lancaster Community College Educational Foundation is on pace to award over 100 scholarships worth more than $100,000 for the 2015-2016 academic year. Five graduating seniors from Alleghany and Covington High Schools have received Carter Scholarships, as well as additional scholarships as noted below.
The Carter Scholarships were established by a bequest from the estate of Marjorie Carter McCarthy of Covington, made in memory of her sisters, Mary Lee Carter Hubbard, Raeburn Carter Stull, Margaret Carter Hepler, and herself. Mrs. McCarthy, a native of Alleghany County, was a 1925 graduate of Covington High School. She taught French, English and history at Millboro High School in Bath County for seven years. The Carter Scholarships are available to outstanding graduates of Alleghany, Bath County & Covington High Schools and have been awarded as two-year scholarships to the following students for the 2015 - 2016 academic year: Laurel Burdette, Megan Dressler, Rachel Gibson, Megan Humphries, and Ethan Persinger.
Laurel Burdette will graduate in June from Alleghany High School and will begin her studies this fall in DSLCC’s General Studies Transfer Program. After completing the requirements for an Associate of Arts and Sciences Degree in General Studies, Burdette’s ultimate goal is to earn a Master’s Degree in Radiology. During her time at AHS, Burdette was a member of the Girls Varsity Basketball Team for four years and served as Captain for two years. She also was a member of the JV Softball Team for two years and the Track and Field Team her senior year. Other extra-curricular activities included membership in the Foreign Language club, BETA Club, HOSA Club, and SADD Club, for which she served as secretary. In her community, Burdette has volunteered for the Alleghany Humane Society, the Food Pantry, and the Alleghany Highlands Christmas Mother Program. She has worked part-time for the Alleghany Department of Parks and Recreation for five years and also worked full time in the summer at Douthat State Park. Burdette currently is pursing her licensure as a Certified Nurse Assistant.
Megan Dressler, who recently graduated from Covington High School, will enroll in DSLCC’s Criminal Justice and Forensic Science Program this fall. After completing her Associate’s Degree at DSLCC, she plans to transfer to Fairmont University in West Virginia, where she will pursue a major in criminal justice and forensic science. Dressler’s ultimate goal is to become a special agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Dressler’s activities at CHS included membership on the JV Basketball Team and statistician for the Wrestling and Volleyball Teams. She also was a member of Rachel’s Challenge her sophomore year. During her junior year, Dressler was selected to represent her class as a Homecoming Princess and served as a Junior Honor Marshal. She also was named an Academic Scholar, was nominated for the National Society of High School Scholars and obtained certification as a Microsoft Office Word Specialist.
Dressler also received the Curtis A. Smith, 116th Infantry, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 1033 Scholarship, which was established by VFW Post 1033 to assist graduating seniors from AHS and CHS who have demonstrated need and academic aptitude.
Rachel Gibson will graduate in June from Alleghany High School and will begin her collegiate career in DSLCC’s General Studies program this fall. She plans to pursue an education in psychology and forensic sciences. Her ultimate goal is to complete a Doctorate in psychology and attend the FBI Academy to become a Profiler. During her time at AHS, Gibson participated in track and volleyball and was a member of the Pep Club. In her community, she volunteered for the CPU Local 675, Toys for Tots, and the Alleghany Highlands Christmas Mother Program.
Megan Humphries will begin her post-secondary career this fall in DSLCC’s
General Studies curriculum. She plans to continue her studies at DSLCC to earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing and become a Registered Nurse. Her ultimate goal is to obtain a
Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in nursing and return to the Alleghany Highlands to work at the local hospital. While at AHS, Humphries was a member of the National Honor Society and BETA Club as well as the Student Senate, Varsity Club and Leadership Class. She also was a member of the Concert Band her freshman year. Humphries placed second in the Voice of Democracy Essay Contest and placed first in the First National Bank Essay Contest. She also received the Mary Baldwin Leadership Award her senior year. Additional activities included membership in the Varsity Sideline and Competition Cheerleading Squads, and the Varsity Tennis Team. Humphries was the Chairperson and Speaker for the YOVASO, Youth of Virginia Speak Out. Perhaps the highlight of her high school career was her crowning as the 2015 Senior Miss Queen of Hearts. She is employed as a waitress at the Cat and Owl Steak and Seafood House.
Humphries also received the Julia Edmunds Scholarship, which was established in memory of “Dr. Julie,” a beloved Clifton Forge pediatrician who ministered to two generations of children in the Highlands area. The scholarship is awarded to a student pursuing a career in a medical field.
A June graduate of Alleghany High School, Ethan Persinger will begin his post-secondary studies this fall in DSLCC’s Criminal Justice and General Studies Program. After completing requirements for an Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice, Persinger hopes to attend the Virginia State Police Academy and pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. Persinger played soccer for the Mountaineers for two years and was a member of the Key Club, Outdoor Club, and FFA. Perhaps his greatest achievements, thus far, are a result of his participation in the Boy Scouts of America. A member of the BSA since 2011, Persinger is a member of the Order of the Arrow, the National Youth Leadership Staff, and has achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He gives many hours of volunteer time for such community organizations and projects as the Salvation Army, Shriner’s Fall Festival, Alleghany Highlands Christmas Mother Program, Douthat State Park, and the Clifton Forge Food Drive. Persinger is employed as a manager for Dairy Queen in Clifton Forge.
Persinger also received the Master Trooper Jerry Hines Scholarship, which was established by the Virginia State Police Association in memory of Jerry Hines, a 22-year veteran of the Virginia State Police who was killed in the line of duty in 1989 when he stopped a car near the intersection of I-81 and I-64. A cum laude graduate of the DSLCC Police Science Program and East Tennessee State University, Jerry was instrumental in the founding of the Virginia State Police Association.Â
The DSLCC Educational Foundation congratulates all scholarship recipients for the upcoming 2015 - 2016 academic year. For more information about the Foundation or to make a donation, please contact the Foundation Office at (540) 863-2837 or via email at rthompson@dslcc.edu. |  | From left to right are Megan Humphries, Laurel Burdette, Rachel Gibson, and Ethan Persinger.
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