Sheriff presents first Student Scholarships
The Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office presented its first-ever Sheriff’s Student Scholarships to two exceptional high school seniors during this year’s Senior Awards Ceremony at James River High School and Lord Botetourt High School.
Each student received a $1,000 scholarship, marking the successful launch of a new initiative aimed at supporting local students in their pursuit of higher education. The inaugural recipients, Kaeli Berry from James River and Campbell Franco from Lord Botetourt, were selected for their academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to community service.
The scholarship program, introduced earlier this year, is part of the Sheriff’s Office’s ongoing commitment to investing in the future of Botetourt County. It is made possible through the generous support of community outreach program and is designed to assist students who not only perform well in the classroom but also serve their communities with heart and purpose.
“We are honored to recognize these young leaders as the first recipients of our Sheriff’s Student Scholarship Program,” said Sheriff Matt Ward. “Their dedication to academic excellence, leadership, and community involvement truly reflects the values of academic and civic responsibility. We’re proud to support these deserving students and their hard work.”
To be eligible, applicants were required to be Botetourt County residents with a minimum GPA of 3.0, and planning to attend a Virginia college, university, or technical education program. The application process included an essay, academic transcripts, a letter of recommendation, and a demonstration of consistent community engagement.
Certificates were presented to both students at their respective school’s Senior Awards Ceremony, marking not just a celebration of achievement, but also a new tradition of partnership between the Sheriff’s Office and local youth.
“We are incredibly grateful to the community for supporting the educational pursuits of our youth,” Sheriff Ward added. “This scholarship is one way we can give back and help empower the next generation of leaders.”
For more information about the Sheriff’s Student Scholarship or to learn how to support the program, contact Andrea Mundy, Community Outreach Coordinator, at amundy@botetourtva.gov, or visit the scholarship page through the school’s website.
Thank You, Botetourt! 2025 Law Enforcement Torch Run a tremendous success
The Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend its sincere gratitude to our community for the overwhelming support shown during the 2025 Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Virginia.
This year’s event saw more than 50 participants join together to carry the Flame of Hope through Botetourt County. Your energy and encouragement made this a truly memorable event, and we couldn’t be prouder to represent a county that shows up in such a meaningful way.
In addition to the Torch Run, we were grateful for the strong community engagement during our Tip-A-Cop and Cover the Cruiser events. The generosity of Botetourt County residents and local businesses made these efforts a remarkable success, helping us raise $5,969.25 in support of Special Olympics Virginia.
Whether you made a donation, volunteered, helped organize, or came out to cheer us on, you made a difference! Every dollar raised directly supports Special Olympics athletes right here in Virginia.
We are honored to be part of a community that stands together for such a meaningful cause. On behalf of the entire Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office, thank you for helping us carry the torch of hope. We look forward to seeing you again next year.
~ Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office
