Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholarship recipient looking forward to staying in West Virginia

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. —  Twenty-seven high school seniors who graduated this year have been selected for Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholarship.

The scholarship program is designed to help the state in it’s teacher shortages. The students will receive up to $10,000 per year for their college education as they pursue careers as teachers in West Virginia.

University High School senior Bailey Olinger said on MetroNews ‘Talkline’ the scholarship is going to help her tremendously.

Bailey Olinger

“It’s really big because I’m actually putting myself through college. It’s going to help me so much to have this scholarship,” Olinger said.

After graduation from college, recipients must commit to teaching in the fields of math, science, special education, and elementary education for at least five years.

Olinger says she plans on staying in West Virginia.

“The 5-year commitment didn’t affect me because I plan to stay here in West Virginia anyway. I moved her when I was a baby and lived here ever since and I love it, so why leave,” Olinger said. “I do love it here and I want to do see improvement. I want to do good for the state.”

Olinger plans on entering special education.

The 2022 Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars beginning their studies in West Virginia this fall are:

  • Morgan Billings from Summers County High School is attending Concord University to pursue a degree in elementary education.
  • Mickala Brill from Petersburg High School is attending West Virginia University to pursue a degree in elementary education.
  • Sophia Cava from Bridgeport High School is attending Fairmont State University to pursue a degree in elementary education.
  • Sydni Cawley from Nitro High School is attending West Virginia University to pursue a degree in elementary education.
  • Stephanie Collins from Grafton High School is attending West Virginia University to pursue a degree in elementary education.
  • Alexis Cook from Westside High School is attending Concord University to pursue a degree in elementary education.
  • Bailey Deweese from Buffalo Putnam High School is attending Marshall University to pursue a degree in science.
  • Autumn Dickerson from Princeton Senior High School is attending Bluefield State University to pursue a degree in elementary education.
  • Hannah Felton from Keyser High School is attending West Virginia University to pursue a degree in elementary education.
  • Claire Flanagan from Parkersburg High School is attending Fairmont State University to pursue a degree in elementary education.
  • Morgan Keaton from Woodrow Wilson High School is attending Concord University to pursue a degree in elementary education.
  • Isabella Klee from South Park High School in Pennsylvania is attending West Virginia University to pursue a degree in elementary education.
  • Stephen Loftis from Sissonville High School is attending West Virginia State University to pursue a degree in special education.
  • Rayegan Loss from Lincoln High School is attending Fairmont State University to pursue a degree in elementary education.
  • Keirstin Lyons from Spring Valley High School is attending Marshall University to pursue a degree in elementary education.
  • Natalie Malone from St. Marys High School is attending Fairmont State University to pursue a degree in elementary education.
  • Baylee Muncy from Man High School is attending the University of Charleston to pursue a degree in elementary education.
  • Bailey Olinger from University High School is attending West Virginia University to pursue a degree in elementary education.
  • Rebecca Pruett from Princeton Senior High School is attending Marshall University to pursue a degree in math.
  • Janie Prunty from Bridgeport High School is attending West Virginia University to pursue a degree in elementary education.
  • Keirsten Reich from South Harrison High School is attending Fairmont State University to pursue a degree in elementary education.
  • Hazel Riley from Pocahontas County High School is attending West Virginia University to pursue a degree in math.
  • Kylea Robinson from Nitro High School is attending West Virginia University to pursue a degree in elementary education.
  • Audrey Simpson from Clay-Battelle High School is attending Fairmont State University to pursue a degree in elementary education.
  • Morgan Snyder from Point Pleasant High School is attending Marshall University to pursue a degree in elementary education.
  • Zoey Steele from Sherman High School is attending Glenville State University to pursue a degree in math.
  • Kelsi Wilson Hott from Petersburg High School is attending Davis & Elkins College to pursue a degree in elementary education.

“I’m incredibly proud of these young scholars, and I can’t wait to see what they accomplish over the next four years and beyond,” said Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker, West Virginia’s Chancellor of Higher Education in a release.

“We worked with the Legislature and Governor Justice three years ago to create a preeminent scholarship that would produce new generations of strong, committed teachers for years to come in the Mountain State. With three cohorts of scholars now pursuing their teaching careers right here at home, we are well on our way to reaching that goal.”

Story by Chayce Matheny





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