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.