Below is a list of the scholarships currently available for Botetourt County high school seniors. If any local organizations and/or businesses would like to submit any additional scholarship information, please email fincastle@mainstreetnewspapers.com.
Bank of Botetourt to host high school seniors for VBA Bank Day Scholarship Program
Bank of Botetourt will host high school seniors on Monday, March 18, to participate in Bank Day, a statewide effort sponsored by the Virginia Bankers Association (VBA) Education Foundation and the VBA Emerging Bank Leaders. The program aims to expose students to the banking industry and provide an opportunity to learn about banking, careers in banking, financial services, and the vital role Bank of Botetourt and banks across Virginia play in their communities.
From their experience, participating students will write an essay for the opportunity to win a scholarship. Six regional scholarships of $2,500 each will be awarded by the VBA, and from those six winners a statewide runner-up and overall statewide winner will be chosen. The statewide runner-up will receive an additional $3,000 scholarship – $3,500 in total – and the overall statewide winner will receive an additional $5,000 scholarship – $7,500 in total. There will also be six honorable mention scholarships of $1,000 each. In all, 12 students statewide will receive scholarships totaling $29,000. The deadline to sign up to attend is March 1.
In the program, students will meet in person at Bank of Botetourt’s Daleville Town Center location and have access to the Virginia Bankers Association website that houses educational videos, articles, and podcasts. As a host, Bank of Botetourt will provide supplemental information to students about ways the bank supports the communities it serves while participating in a day filled with informational speakers, discussions of the essay topic and guidelines, and bank history.
“Over the years, Bank of Botetourt has hosted 10 scholarship recipients, and we feel that the financial education of our youth is one more way the bank serves its communities. VBA Bank Day offers a unique opportunity for high school seniors to not only experience the inner workings of their community bank but to have the chance to win scholarships that will propel them to continue their education at a higher level. During Bank Day, they will learn more about banking, financial services, and the vital role that community banks play in their communities. We are proud to partner with the Virginia Bankers Association to offer this scholarship opportunity,” said CEO and Board of Directors Vice Chair Lyn Hayth.
For more information on Bank Day and to contact the Bank Day Committee, email bankday@bankofbotetourt.com.
Scholarships offered by Democratic Committee
The Botetourt County Democratic Committee offers two $1,000 scholarships to two deserving seniors, one from Lord Botetourt High School and one from James River High School.
To apply:
Part One: Write a 150–300-word essay describing “How a free press preserves Democracy in our Republic” This essay should not include any personally identifying information
Part Two: A separate page with personal information
- Applicant name and parent/guardian names
- Address and phone number for contact purposes only (not for publication)
- High Schools attended
- Post-secondary education plans
- A list of 3 activities you have participated in at high school
- A dated pledge that your essay is original and prepared by the applicant. Your typed name will be your electronic signature
- A sentence giving your permission for your submitted materials to be published as part of the announcement of winners to the media
Submission: Submit the essay and personal information page as two separate electronic attachments to demsbotetourt@gmail.com.
Deadline: Monday April 1, 2024
A panel will choose the winners based upon the essays alone without knowing the personal information of the applicant. You may have any GPA, party affiliation or financial status.
Winners and their school counselors will be informed before April 19.
AITC announces new scholarship opportunity for students
The Virginia Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) has introduced the Doug Stoughton Memorial Scholarship opportunity for graduating high school seniors and current college students pursuing a future in agriculture or education.
Scholarship winners will receive $1,000 to further their studies at a two- or four-year college or university.
Interested students can apply online at form.jotform.com/VaAITC/AITCScholarship. Applicants are required to submit a high school transcript and two letters of recommendation.
Additionally, applicants will need to submit personal statements describing their extracurricular activities and community service, leadership experience, interest in agriculture and education, and how the scholarship will benefit them.
Applications are due March 31 and can be emailed to aitc@vafb.com. Scholarship winners will be notified by May 31.
For more information about this scholarship and other AITC initiatives, visit virginia.agclassroom.org.
Beaver Dam Farm Sunflower Scholarship
Given out to a senior from JRHS and LBHS who is attending college for an agriculture related field of study or to a student entering the workforce right out of school in the ag field. This scholarship honors past, present and future farmers of Beaver Dam Farm and is in honor of Linda W. Wickline.
Please email BeaverDamSunflowers@gmail.com for the application and more information. Recipients are selected by a committee and will be notified via email or phone. Applications are due back April 1, 2024.
WSLS scholarship opportunity
College-bound, graduating high school seniors in Botetourt County have an upcoming scholarship opportunity from WSLS 10.
Students who demonstrated success in academics and sports, including activity competitions, marching band or volunteering are invited to apply for the chance to receive a $2,000 scholarship that will be awarded to two college-bound high school seniors.
The WSLS Scholarship will be awarded in April, and students applying need to have their applications postmarked no later than March 31.
Botetourt County Farm Bureau Scholarship
Given to students from JRHS and LBHS who have an interest in agriculture and who have served on FFA, 4-H and other ag related programs.
Please email Ashlee.Nock@vafb.com.com for the application and more information. Recipients are selected by the County committee and will be notified via email or phone. Applications are due back April 15, 2024.
