CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Two dozen high school graduating seniors in the Mountain State make up the sixth cohort of Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars.

The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission announced the recipients this week.

The students will receive up to $10,000 a year for four years to help them pursue teaching degrees. Once completed, they will teach in West Virginia for at least five years.

“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,” state Higher Education Chancellor Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker said. “This is West Virginia’s preeminent scholarship that is helping produce new generations of outstanding teachers who are eager to make a difference in their hometowns and in the Mountain State. We now have about 150 scholars pursuing their teaching careers right here at home, and we want them to know how important they are to the future of this great state.”

The program is designed to help address the shortages of teachers in math, science, special education, and elementary education. An Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholar commits to teaching in one of those areas.

Each student is paired with a practicing classroom teacher mentor to provide guidance through their college years.

The 2025 Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars beginning their studies in West Virginia this fall are:

Caelyn Bartley from Berkeley Springs High School will be studying elementary education at Shepherd University.

Haylee Chapman from Cabell Midland High School will be studying math at Marshall University.

Molli Taylor from East Fairmont High School will be studying special education at Fairmont State University.

Jenna Groves from Greenbrier East High School will be studying math at Concord University.

Donavin Penn from Greenbrier East High School will be studying elementary education at Marshall University.

Madison Sherman from Fisher will be studying elementary education at Shepherd University.

Abigail Lynch from Midland Trail High School will be studying elementary education at Fairmont State University.

Julia Oliverio from Morgantown High School will be studying math at West Virginia University.

Amelia Morgan from North Marion High School will be studying elementary education at Fairmont State University.

Kailyn Humphrey from Oak Hill High School will be studying elementary education at Concord University.

Sydney Davis from Parkersburg High School will be studying elementary education at West Virginia University.

Grace Martin from Petersburg High School will be studying elementary education at Shepherd University.

Audrey Mongold from Petersburg High School will be studying elementary education at West Virginia University.

Lucas Posey from Philip Barbour High School will be studying math at West Virginia University.

Miranda Gum from Pocahontas County High School will be studying elementary education at Glenville State University.

Elizabeth Handley from Point Pleasant High School will be studying elementary education at Marshall University.

Lukas Herrell from Sherman High School will be studying math at West Virginia State University.

Mary Morrison from St. Marys High School will be studying elementary education at WVU at Parkersburg.

Joshua Copley from Tug Valley High School will be studying science at Marshall University.

Carley Bryan from University High School will be studying elementary education at Fairmont State University.

Madalyn Brown from Westside High School will be studying elementary education at Concord University.

Ciera Faulstick from Wheeling Park High School will be studying elementary education at Wheeling Park High School.

Abigail Howard from Wheeling Park High School will be studying elementary education at West Virginia University.

Allison Hoffman from Winfield High School will be studying math at Marshall University.