President David Olive (from left); Junetta Nuckels of Richlands; Ashley Van Meter of Lincolnton, N.C.; Lauren Webster of Ringgold; Matthew Raner of Summerfield, N.C.; Ciera Jayne Conkle of Douglassville, Penn.; Daniel Griffin of Greensboro, N.C.; Kate Keukelaar of Macedon, N.Y.; Dakota Duckworth of Daleville; Rachel Cochran of Chantilly; Shelby Wolfe of Pittsboro, N.C.; Jessica Meadows of Danville; Alisha Abbey of Bluefield, W.Va.; Peirce Rigney of Pulaski; Heather Bailey of North Tazewell; Renee Robbins of Chesapeake; Andrea Armbrester of Stuart; Hannah Winter of Amelia; Megan Tennant of Linville, N.C.; and John Paul Shackelford of Rose Hill. Photo courtesy of Bluefield College

Bluefield College recently hosted some of the region’s most outstanding high school students, including Dakota Duckworth of Daleville, in a competition for full scholarships to attend the private Christian college.

Duckworth is the top academic student in her class and a member of the National Honor Society at Lord Botetourt High School. She also plays soccer for her school and for the competitive Stars in the Roanoke Valley. In addition, she is an active member of Bonsack Baptist Church.

“The Presidential Scholarship covers everything — full tuition, room, and board,” said Mark Hipes, director of traditional admissions at Bluefield College. “It’s our most prized scholarship reserved for the most deserving students.”

The nineteen high school students competing in the college’s Presidential Scholars Day spent an hour and a half developing a written composition during an essay portion of Presidential Scholars Day, and then went before a Presidential Scholarship Committee to respond to questions during an interview segment of the event. Candidates were required to have a 3.75 cumulative high school grade-point average and a composite math and verbal SAT score of 1,100 or a 25 ACT score. They also submitted two letters of recommendation from current teachers.

Following an evaluation period and based on their academic credentials, essays and interviews, two of the prospective students will be selected to receive the school’s most valuable scholarship award, the full-ride Presidential Scholarship. Four will earn Spire Scholarships to cover half their expenses to attend Bluefield. The remaining students will receive other competitive financial aid packages.

The college’s Presidential Scholarships are worth $29,120 a year for a four-year total award of $116,480. Spire Scholarships, symbolically named to represent the spire on BC’s Harman Chapel, are valued at $14,560 a year for a four-year total award of $58,240.

– Submitted by Chris Shoemaker, Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Bluefield College