BUCKHANNON, West Virginia –Winfield High School rising senior Sydne Alexander is the winner of the West Virginia Scholar Program, receiving a full tuition plus room and board scholarship to attend West Virginia Wesleyan College beginning in the fall of 2025.

“I was very shocked and was like this can’t be happening right now,” she said. “I just felt instant joy and the tears started pouring. My mom is a teacher and my dad is a manual laborer. I also have two younger brothers, so getting this and taking the weight off of them is really helpful.”

Alexander is the daughter of Laura and Derek Alexander, of Hurricane, West Virginia, and is a National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta, Pep Club, Key Club, Link Crew and Beta Club member. In addition, she is a member of the Winfield girls’ soccer team and a travel soccer team.

She plans to major in health sciences and play soccer  while at WVWC with the ultimate goal of becoming a pediatrician and opening her own practice. 

WVWC will also award $5,000 and $2,500 scholarships to Kayla Flynn of East Hardy High School, and Jayla Lynch of Oak Hill High School as the first and second runner-up, respectively.

All finalists qualify to receive the Presidential Scholarship, the top academic scholarship for new students, to attend WVWC in Fall 2024. Over the previous 15 years of the West Virginia Scholar Program, approximately two-thirds of finalists have gone on to attend WVWC. Previous winners and finalists are now enjoying successful careers in health care, law, business and education.

John Waltz ’01, Vice President of Enrollment Management and Marketing, said, “We were so excited to host the students and families today for a thrilling event.  It is clear that the finalists represent the best and brightest in West Virginia and we look forward to working with them this coming year.”  

West Virginia high school juniors were eligible to apply with a transcript and an essay. Ranking of the finalists was determined by WVWC, sponsors of the West Virginia Scholar Program, and online voting. The West Virginia Scholar Program will begin accepting next year’s applications in February 2025.

Finalists also included Maddie Conrad, of Elizabeth, West Virginia; Trey Doresey, of Mount Lookout, West Virginia; Hayden Funk, of Webster Springs, West Virginia, Ava Gorrell, of Sistersville, West Virginia, Madison Lawson, of Bluefield, West VIrginia; Olivia Miller, of Bridgeport, West Virginia, Catherine Milliman, of Inwood, West Virginia, Colby Nichols, of Sistersville, West Virginia; Jayleigh Persinger, of Victor, West Virginia; Brynna Pyle, of Webster Springs, West Virginia, Rayna Schnopp, of Morgantown, West Virginia; Jasmine Zirkle, of French Creek, West Virginia. 

The Culpepper Wesleyan Scholars Award, supported by Marvin Culpepper ’51, and Hon. ’06 and Elaine Karnes Culpepper ’54, Hon. ’06, provides a portion of the funding for the West Virginia Scholar Program each year.  In addition to WVWC and West Virginia MetroNews, the West Virginia Scholar Program is sponsored by Greer Industries, West Virginia Hospital Association, ZMM Architects and Engineers, Friends of Coal and the West Virginia Farm Bureau. 

ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE
West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC) is a private, four-year residential liberal arts and sciences college in Buckhannon, West Virginia. A tradition of excellence for more than 130 years, West Virginia Wesleyan is home to 14 Fulbright Scholars. The Princeton Review ranked Wesleyan one of its 2022 Best Colleges in the Southeastern Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2022 Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan a “Top 20” Best Value – Regional Universities (South) and one of the “Top 75” Regional Universities (South). WVWC offers students more than 40 majors and 40 minors; graduate programs in athletic training, business administration, creative writing, and nursing; 22 NCAA Division II athletic programs; multiple performing arts groups; and more than 70 organizations. Founded in 1890, the College is closely affiliated with the United Methodist Church and abides by the Wesley doctrine that emphasizes service to others. For more information, visit wvwc.edu.