Mountain Castles Soil and Water Conservation District awarded the $1,000 Harold P. “Bubby” Entsminger Honorary Scholarship to Samantha Jackson of James River High School and the $1,000 John and Hallie Seibel Scholarship to Katherine Alexander of Lord Botetourt High School.
Both students have excellent academic records and a strong commitment to conservation.
Jackson has a unique perspective on natural resources conservation, having grown up in the coal mining community of Grundy in far southwestern Virginia. She has experienced first-hand the conflicts between having good jobs in the community and the harmful effects coal mining can have on the environment and on human health. Jackson held an athletic training internship at James River H.S.
She will study Child and Family Healthcare at Dabney S. Lancaster Community College with the goal of eventually becoming a pediatrician.
Alexander participated in many agricultural-related organizations, including the Botetourt County Horseman’s Association and the 4-H Horse and Pony Club. She was an active FFA member, earning recognition at local, state, and national levels. Alexander has gained experience by working at a horse farm for the past five years.
She will be attending Virginia Tech in hopes of eventually becoming a large animal veterinarian.
Mountain Castles SWCD annually presents these $1,000 scholarships to a graduating senior from each of Botetourt County’s two high schools. They are awarded to deserving students who plan to pursue a career in agriculture, science, or conservation.