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MBC Presents Five $4,000 Scholarships to Deserving High School Seniors in the Network Footprint

South Boston, VA – May 27, 2014 – This year marked the third annual Mid-Atlantic Broadband Communities Corporation (MBC) scholarship program.  This program awards $4,000 scholarships to five deserving high school seniors attending one of the thirty-three high schools in the MBC footprint who are looking to further their education at a Virginia institute of higher education with the goal of receiving an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in a STEM-related (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) field.  This year, MBC received over 100 applications from astute high schools seniors attending these thirty-three high schools.

On Thursday, May 1st, Mid-Atlantic Broadband traveled to Magna Vista High School to present the first of five annual $4,000 scholarships to Mr. Michael Chavez.  During his high school career, Michael has been a member of the Scholastic Competition for Academic Excellence team and several school clubs, and attended Boys State, the Great Wolf Lodge Leadership Summit, and the VMI Honor Conference.  He is active in his church, participating as a leader in their Broadcast Student Ministry and on mission trips.  Michael attended the Governor’s School for Mathematics, Science, and Technology his junior and senior years and will be graduating with an Associate’s Degree from Patrick Henry Community College upon graduation from high school.  He was also selected as a 2014 WDBJ7 Hometown Honors recipient.  After graduation, Michael plans to attend the University of Virginia to study Biomedical Engineering with a dream of becoming a doctor specializing in pathology.  He wishes to return to his hometown to practice medicine in order to give back to his community that has supported him throughout his high school years.

Ms. Jamie Hodnett, a Dan River High School senior, was awarded the second scholarship at the awards ceremony held at her high school on May 12th.  Throughout her high school years, Jamie attended the Regional Governor’s School for Agriculture, has shown and judged livestock, and has been involved in several school clubs, including serving as President of the DRHS FFA.  Jamie also served as Dan River’s student liaison to the Pittsylvania County School Board.  She is an active participant in her church, singing in the adult choir, helping with the children’s choir, and teaching AWANA.  Jamie plans to attend Virginia Tech after graduation to study Agronomy.  It is her passionate desire to use the education she will receive at Virginia Tech to dedicate herself to the agricultural industry by serving the farmers who produce America’s crops.

Ms. Makenna Jones, also a senior at Dan River High School, was presented the third scholarship on May 12th.  In high school, she has been very engaged in activities at her church, including an international mission trip to Peru, has been a member of the varsity tennis team, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and various other clubs at Dan River High, has volunteered her time at a local pregnancy care center, and completed an internship in special education.  She is also a student at Piedmont Governor’s School for Mathematics, Science, and Technology.  Makenna will continue on the path of reaching her goal of becoming an occupational therapist by attending Virginia Tech in the fall, majoring in Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise.  She wishes to use her knowledge in occupational therapy by helping children who are facing mental disabilities live less restrictively.

On May 16th, Ms. Jordan Moorefield, a Tunstall High School senior, was awarded the fourth scholarship.  During her time in high school, she has been a member of the THS varsity soccer and volleyball teams, served as Vice-President for the SCA and Interact Clubs, and was chosen by faculty to serve as Tunstall’s student liaison to the Pittsylvania County School Board.  This year, Jordan was a participant in the Junior Leadership Southside program through the Danville Pittsylvania Chamber of Commerce.  In addition, she has volunteered over 400 hours of her time to the Danville Life Saving Crew, where she serves as the Captain of the DLSC Junior Division, and is currently pursuing Advanced EMT training.  Jordan will begin her studies in Biology this fall at the University of Virginia to kindle her vision of receiving a medical doctorate with a trauma focus.

The fifth scholarship was awarded to Ms. Lindsay Gerhardt, a Gretna High School senior, on May 20th.  She has been active in high school where she is involved in several school clubs, including serving as Chapter President and State Vice-President of the Beta Club, and has competed in cheerleading at Gretna High and dance with the Danville Academy of Dance.  Lindsay is also active in her church and her community, participating in many organizations, including giving of her time and talents as a nursing home activity leader and helping with canned food and book drives.  In 2013, she was named Miss Gretna High School and also attended the Broyhill Leadership Conference.  Lindsay is a student at Piedmont Governor’s School for Mathematics, Science, and Technology and will graduate with an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science from Danville Community College upon graduation from high school. She will be majoring in Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise starting this fall at Virginia Tech to further her devout dream of becoming a pediatric physical therapist.

We would like to congratulate the 2014 MBC scholarship recipients and all applicants on their many accomplishments and wish them the best of luck as they further their education to fulfill their life goals.  MBC continues to reinvest in the communities we serve, and awarding these scholarships is one way we reinvest while encouraging STEM-related education in the region.