BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – Winfield High School rising senior Brayton Boggs 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 2023.

Boggs, who is student body president at Winfield High School, has an interest in politics and law at the present.

“When my name was called I just couldn’t believe it,” he said. “I looked around the room and saw all the other candidates and knew every one of us would be deserving of this. Whenever I heard my name, I looked over at my parents and saw them fall back in their chair. This takes a lot of stress off the family and they knew I would be going to such an esteemed institution.”

“I’m most looking forward to the challenge and the journey,” he said. “I’m excited to get out on my own path and meet new people and build relationships.”

WVWC will also award $5,000 and $2,500 scholarships to Bo Persinger, of Victor, and Sydney Vaughn, of Martinsburg, 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 2022. Over the previous 14 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, said, “This was the strongest group of applicants we have had for this program. The finalists are truly the best students in the State of West Virginia.”

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 2023.

Finalists also included Wyatt Burns, of Horner; Sienna Chenoweth, of Elkins; Meredith Cottrell, of Elizabeth, Lacey Dimit, of Davisville, Madeline Erwin, of Winfield, Ethan Marks, of Ripley, Mason Nichols, of Sistersville, Evan Roach, of Point Pleasant, Gabriella Selders of Morgantown, Mackenzie Sisolack, of Belington, and Amanda Vaughn, of West Liberty.

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, Yeager Airport, Friends of Coal, West Virginia Hospital Association, West Virginia Farm Bureau and ZMM Architects and Engineers.

ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE

West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC) is a private, four-year residential liberal arts 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 2021 Best Colleges in the Southeastern Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2021 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.