Photos courtesy of Tim Miller
Brett Smith, a 2025 graduate of Lord Botetourt High School, received the $2,000 John and Hallie Seibel Memorial Scholarship from Mountain Castles Soil and Water Conservation District (MCSWCD). Smith also received the $2,000 Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts Educational Foundation Scholarship, a statewide award.
“Our scholarship committee was very impressed with Brett’s accomplishments and interests,” said Tim Miller, the district coordinator for MCSWCD. “We’re thrilled that Brett is fascinated by things in nature that often go unnoticed, like mushrooms and earthworms.” Smith will attend Washington & Lee and major in biochemistry and/or environmental science.
As an elementary school student, Smith gave several mushroom presentations on behalf of MCSWCD as part of the monthly “Backyard Botetourt” series held at the Fincastle Library. “It’s a great full-circle moment,” said Miller. “We’re excited to see where his academic path leads him.”
~ Submitted by Tim Miller
