First Bank has announced the recipients of the annual First Bank Fall Run scholarships. Each year, two senior high school students are selected to receive a $1,000 scholarship based upon their exceptional academic achievements, involvement in school running sports, and participation in the race.
Lord Botetourt High School graduate Jillian Harris has participated in the First Bank Fall Run for seven years. In 2022, she placed third overall in the Women’s 5K race, ages 14-17. Harris ran both outdoor and indoor track all four years during her time at Lord Botetourt and earned varsity letters in 2021 and 2022. Harris’s character is exemplified, both on and off the track by her strong leadership skills.
Harris is a member of the National Honor Society and Community Key Club, and participates in many community activities. In addition to all of her school activities and artistic honors, she volunteers at Carilion’s Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit during her down time and plans to continue working with Carilion Clinic during college. She plans to attend Radford University as an Honors Student in the fall, majoring in Allied Health Science in pursuit of a doctorate in Physical Therapy. Due to time constraints working towards a doctorate, Harris is unable to run competitively during college. Though, she plans to volunteer with the LBHS indoor and outdoor track and field teams.
Nevaeh VanBuren, of James River High School, participated in the First Bank Fall Run in 2013 and has had an extensive running career during her high school years. VanBuren was captain of the varsity track team from 2023-2024 and was anticipated to earn eight varsity letters by graduation.
On top of her running achievements, she has been an avid gymnast for over 10 years and has medaled many times. VanBuren is involved in numerous activities outside of sports, including the National Honor Society, Pep Club, and FCA. With her love of the sport, VanBuren’s goal is to represent her hometown by continuing her running career throughout college. After high school, she originally planned to attend JMU. However, due to an injury in her senior year this limited her chances of receiving an athletic scholarship. Therefore, she will be attending Liberty University in the fall and plans to obtain her bachelor’s degree in the health science field. Being an athlete utilizing the services of a local physical therapy clinic has inspired VanBuren to want to help others overcome injuries. Eventually, she hopes to attend JMU.
The 39th annual First Bank Fall 5K and 10K Run will take place this October 18 and is sponsored by First Bank and Botetourt County Public Schools. For additional information about the First Bank Fall Run, email 5k10krun@ virginia.com or visit Facebook at First Bank | Strasburg VA | Facebook.
~ First Bank
