Foundation Awards $21,200 In College, Vocational Scholarships

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — The Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties awarded $21,200 in scholarships to seven students pursuing higher education and vocational training. The scholarship money came from five different funds that each support a unique area of focus related to education or vocational training.

The scholarship funds "are a way for a donor or their loved ones to leave a legacy behind that will have a tremendous impact on the future of the recipients for years to come,” Amy Owen, president and CEO of the Community Foundation, said Monday in a statement.

Six of the seven students are graduates of Loudoun County high schools. One is a volunteer with the Loudoun Free Clinic who will be attending medical school. They are:

• Michaela Greenlee, a graduate of Potomac Falls High School, will attend New York University in New York City to pursue a future degree in pediatric medicine. Greenlee was awarded $2,500 from the Gavin Rupp “I Promise 15” Scholarship Fund, which was established in honor of Gavin Rupp to support students pursuing a career in the health sciences field with an interest in pediatric oncology.

• Alex Young, a graduate of Loudoun County High School, will attend Tulsa Welding School in Jacksonville, Florida, to become a professional welder. Young was awarded $1,200 from the Blair and Mike Pirrello Vocational Scholarship Fund, which was established to support people pursuing trade careers through vocational training.

• Omotara Ogundeyi, a volunteer with the Loudoun Free Clinic, holds an undergraduate degree in microbiology from Virginia Tech and master's degree in biotechnology from Johns Hopkins University, and will now will pursue a physician’s degree in osteopathic medicine at William Carey University in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Ogundeyi was awarded $1,000 from the Mary B. Tett Health Professionals Scholarship Fund, which was established in honor of Mary B. Tett to support education and training of staff and volunteers of nonprofit organizations providing health care services in Loudoun County.

• Meredith Scarboro, a graduate of Rock Ridge High School, will attend James Madison University to pursue a degree in music education. Scarboro was awarded $1,500 from the Debbie Settle Scholarship Foundation, which was established in honor of Debbie Settle to support graduates of Loudoun County Public Schools pursuing a career in music education.

• Zohayr Naveed, a graduate of Loudoun County High School, will attend the University of Virginia to study biochemistry and linguistics. Naveed was awarded $5,000 for his freshman year from the Loudoun County High School Scholarship Fund, which was established in honor of Henry Stowers to support graduates of Loudoun County High School pursuing higher education.

• Kayla Ballve, a graduate of Loudoun County High School, will attend Virginia Tech to major in communication studies and sociology. Ballve was awarded $5,000 for her sophomore year from the Loudoun County High School Scholarship Fund.

• Danning Bisaga, a graduate of Loudoun County High School, will attend University of Virginia, majoring in psychology and cognitive science. Bisaga was awarded $5,000 for her sophomore year from the Loudoun County High School Scholarship Fund.

The Community Foundation publishes its available scholarship opportunities and application each year in early spring.

Since its founding in 1999, the Community Foundation has granted more than $8.7 million back into the community.