West Virginia
High school juniors encouraged to apply for WV Scholar Program – WV MetroNews
BUCKHANNON, W.Va. — Applications are being accepted for the 17th annual West Virginia Scholar Program.
WVRC Media, the parent company of MetroNews, is partnering with West Virginia Wesleyan College and others to provide the scholarship to one high school junior in the state.
The four-year scholarship is valued at approximately $160,000 and includes tuition, fees, and room and board to West Virginia Wesleyan in Buckhannon.
John Waltz, vice president of admissions at Wesleyan, said part of the application includes an essay portion where students can share their stories of why they want to continue living and working in West Virginia.
“We tell every student to be as thorough as they can. We find students in these that are athletes, that are involved in spiritual life, creative arts and community service, just about everything we can imagine, so they should tell those stories and go through the process with an eye toward that,” he said during a recent appearance on MetroNews “Talkline.”
Waltz said grades matter, but students also have to be well-rounded in their community and participate in extracurricular activities. He said a lot of talented scholarship winners have gone on to do great things in the state.
“We see some of them working around the state as doctors, lawyers and serving in public service in different venues. We’ve seen it come full circle which is an awesome thing to observe,” Waltz said.
Students who apply can also be considered for other prizes and admission to Wesleyan, Waltz said.
“When a student applies, they’re actually applying for admission. They’re getting their application to West Virginia Wesleyan done. It’s always great to get a head start on that process just in general,” he said.
The deadline to apply for the West Virginia Scholar Program is April 28.
Fifteen finalists will be announced in May. Each finalist will next go through a personal interview process and a review by the sponsors. The winner will be announced in June.
Th sponsors for the 2024 West Virginia Scholar Program include Greer Industries, Friends of Coal, West Viriginia Hospital Association, ZMM Architects & Engineers, the West Virginia Farm Bureau and West Virginia Wesleyan College.
West Virginia
Iconic country music band Alabama takes stage for West Virginia’s America 250 celebration
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WCHS) — Thousands descended upon the West Virginia Capitol on Friday night to hear one of the most iconic country music bands of all time.
Alabama took to the Boulevard Stage shortly before 8 p.m. and gave fans a show lasting approximately 90 minutes, despite the grueling heat that has been factor throughout America250 celebrations and the Charleston Sternwheel Regatta.
Performing songs such as “Song of the South,” “Can’t Keep a Good Man Down” and the classic “Dixieland Delight,” the two-time Grammy Award-winning band even gave West Virginians a treat by playing John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” which the band said was at the request of Gov. Patrick Morrisey.
The band opened up a weekend full of performances at the Capitol. The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra will take the stage on Saturday, while the Marshall Tucker Band will perform on Sunday.
The performances are just a piece of what is going on at the Capitol, as vendors and family-friendly activities are offered all weekend. In the evenings, fireworks, light shows and drone shows will light up the night in celebration of America’s 250th.
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Additionally, a 230-foot Ferris wheel is free for visitors to ride throughout the weekend.
BRIDGEPORT, W.Va (WDTV) – Independence Day weekend is here, and communities across North Central West Virginia are celebrating with parades, festivals, and fireworks.
The events we’ve been made aware of are listed below for Friday and Saturday. If you know of an event that’s not listed, feel free to email us at news@wdtv.com.
Friday — July 3
- Elkins’ Red, White & Summer Nights First Friday — Elkins — 4-9 p.m.
- Fireworks on the Hill (sponsored by WDTV and the Bridgeport CVB) — Bridgeport — 9:45 p.m.
- Terra Alta Volunteer Fire Department — Terra Alta — 100th annual fireworks celebration at 10 p.m.
- Burnsville Freedom Festival —Burnsville — parade starts at 6 p.m.
Saturday — July 4
- Mountaineer Days — Thomas — Noon to dark (fireworks included)
- 100th Old Fashion Day in the Park — Terra Alta — 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Morgantown Municipal Band performance — Morgantown — 11 a.m., Parade 4 p.m. and fireworks at Hazel Ruby McQuain Park after dark
- Elkins Fourth of July Parade — Elkins — 5 p.m. with fireworks at 9 p.m.
- Stonewall Resort — Roanoke — Fireworks at dark
- Barbour County Fairgrounds — Philippi — fireworks at dark
- Downtown Weston Street Fair — Weston — fair begins at 5 p.m. and fireworks at 10:15 p.m.
- Downtown Thomas — Thomas — festival begins at 8 a.m. and fireworks at dark
- Jawbone Park — Buckhannon — celebration at 5 p.m. and fireworks at dark
- Palatine Park — Fairmont — fireworks at 10 p.m.
- Monongah Town Hall — Monongah — fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
- Sagebrush Round-Up — Fairmont — country music and fireworks from 4-10 p.m.
- Fairview Volunteer Fire Department — Fairview — parade starts at 10 a.m., and fireworks start at 10 p.m.
- Burnsville Freedom Festival — Burnsville — event runs from 3-9 p.m. with fireworks at 10 p.m.
Editor’s note: The video for this story will be added once it airs. Please check back for the updated video.
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