Willow Ferguson, a senior at Greenbrier East High School, has been awarded a $10,000 per year Citizens Bank of West Virginia Emerging Leaders Scholarship to Davis & Elkins College for a total of $40,000 over four years.
Davis & Elkins, Citizens Bank of West Virginia and WDTV partnered to offer the unique scholarship competition. All 2022 West Virginia high school graduates, whether attending a public, private or homeschool, with a 3.25 or higher GPA were eligible to apply. Impressed with the high caliber of applicants, College officials decided to offer multiple scholarships in addition to the selection of one student who received a full, four-year scholarship.
Applicants were required to submit a list of high school and community activities, along with an essay based on the topic, “If you receive this scholarship, how will you pay it forward to the state of West Virginia?”
Ferguson is the daughter of Shannon Murphy and Graham Ferguson of Monroe County. At Greenbrier East High School, she is a member of National Honor Society, student government and HOSA. She also has volunteered with blood drives and rabies clinics.
At Davis & Elkins College, Ferguson plans to major in biology and environmental science, and is considering other fields of study.
“One of my main goals, in whatever I go into, will be to create positive change and act as a steward and advocate for our Mountain State,” Ferguson wrote in her essay. “I want to continually learn and grow as a critical and innovative thinker who works for positive change in our state.”
Davis & Elkins College offers more than 45 academic programs. Multiple scholarship opportunities are available including the College’s annual $5.4 million investment in West Virginia students. For additional information, call 304-637-1230 or visit www.dewv.edu/admissions.
Willow Ferguson
