Buckhannon, W.Va. — A Greenbrier County teenager has won a full, four year scholarship to West Virginia Wesleyan in Buckhannon.
On Wednesday, Kathryn Robinson from Renick was named the winner of this year’s MVB Bank West Virginia Scholar Program. The award, valued at $125,000, will cover tuition, fees, room and board along with other educational expenses.
“I was shaking. They didn’t have to say it again. I got up, but I still feel like I’m sort of dreaming,” Robinson told MetroNews shortly after the announcement.
Robinson says her grandmother encouraged her to apply for the scholarship. “People in my family have gone to Wesleyan and she found the scholarship and really pushed me to look into it,” she said.
A home schooled student, Robinson says her favorite subject is science. “I really enjoy chemistry right now and I’ve taken anatomy and loved that.” She says she wants to eventually go to medical school and plans to be a pre-med student at Wesleyan.
“I’m interested in missions, medical missions. I like to work with kids and I like to work with people with disabilities and I’m not exactly sure what I’m going to go into with that. Those are some interests, but I’m trying to stay open,” said Robinson.
Away from the books, she has played soccer and worked as a referee for games, volunteered at a food pantry in her community and has participated in Bible studies and other events.
The first runner-up, Rachel Fulks from Bridgeport, won a four year, $5,000 scholarship to West Virginia Wesleyan. The second runner-up, Ronald Beale II from Scott Depot, won a four year, $2,500 scholarship to West Virginia Wesleyan.
The competition is open to high school juniors each year.
The other finalists were Johnna Akers from Shinnston, Kensey Bergdorf from Evans, Cayla Collett from Elkins, Cheyanne Conrath from Petersburg, Amanda Dawson from Sistersville, Sarah Fizer from Martinsburg and Dahlton Kittle from Bridgeport.
In addition to MVB Bank, West Virginia Wesleyan and MetroNews, the other sponsors for the West Virginia Scholar Program are Brickstreet Insurance, Friends of Coal, the West Virginia Forestry Association and the West Virginia Education Association.