Several Bridgeport Students Among Recipients of $260K in YCF Scholarships
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on June 05, 2026
MORGANTOWN – Your Community Foundation of North Central West Virginia, Inc. (YCF) is pleased to announce 104 scholarships totaling $266,750 have been awarded for the upcoming 2026-27 academic year. YCF saw a 12 percent increase in applications this year, reflecting growing demand for educational support throughout the region. Recipients were selected through a competitive review process conducted by scholarship committees comprised of 110 dedicated volunteers from across North Central West Virginia.
YCF manages approximately 50 scholarship funds. New scholarship endowments require a minimum donation of $25,000, which donors may pledge over three years. The endowed principal is invested, and a portion of the earnings is awarded as scholarships each year, creating a permanent source of educational support. Donors may name their fund and help establish the award criteria. Scholarship endowments are often named in honor or memory of a loved one.
The following scholarships made inaugural awards this year:
? John and Mildred Peluso Italian-American Scholarship provides an award to a WV resident of Italian-American heritage attending West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV, as a full-time student. Current undergraduate students are eligible; incoming freshmen receive priority. Applicants must demonstrate pride in their Italian-American heritage, leadership qualities, solid academic achievement (minimum 3.0 overall GPA), commitment to service, and a strong work ethic. The inaugural recipient is Alyssa Tingler of Morgantown High School.
? Michael F. Viglianco Scholarship provides an award to a Harrison County, WV resident attending a West Virginia public college. Open to current high school seniors, the scholarship may be renewed for up to four years if the student continues to meet the requirements. The inaugural recipient is Addison Veigel of Bridgeport High School.
“The scholarship program at YCF reflects the power of philanthropy and community partnership,” said Patty Showers Ryan, YCF President. “We are grateful for the donors who created these lasting funds and the volunteers who dedicate their time to selecting recipients. With so many outstanding applications, it’s a challenging process.”
The following are new YCF scholarship recipients for the 2026-27 academic year:
Angela Scotchel Memorial Basketball Scholarship – Hannah Stemple, West Virginia Wesleyan College
Angela Shahan Memorial Scholarship – Brooklyn Casteel, Preston High School
Angie and Abir Majumdar Scholarship –Lexi Bergeron-Hardy, Robert C. Byrd High School
Barbara Ann Kercheval Scholarship – Camdyn Metheny and Myla Wotring, Preston High School
Bobby Lee Secret Memorial Scholarship – Branner Rock, Robert C. Byrd High School
Brandi Kay Bowen Scholarship – Brooke Burnside and Payton Trent, Doddridge County High School
Catherine Flynn Morrison Memorial Scholarship – Mikaela DeMoss, Bridgeport High School
Charlotte and Mary Gail Koen Scholarship – Reagan Ash and Cooper Korsh, North Marion High School
Demetry Walker Memorial Scholarship – Keneth Aquino, Fairmont State University
Dorothy, Lewis, Anthony, and Hilde Betonte Scholarship – Brooklyn Hyre, South Harrison High School
Dr. William E. Phillips, Jr. Leadership Marion Scholarship – Charles Craig, Fairmont Senior High School
Erin Marie Keener Nursing Scholarship – Jacob Goldman, West Virginia University
Ernest Daniel Conaway, Raymond Guy Baker, and Everett Reece Baker Memorial Scholarship – Sierra Deverich, Morgantown High School; Logan Peck, West Virginia University
Flora O. Corpening Scholarship – Cadence Hayes and Emma Ude, Bridgeport High School
Frances Scarcelli Tyler Scholarship – Angelina Policano, Notre Dame High School
George E. and Joanne R. Davis Memorial Scholarship – Alyssa Tingler and Maxwell Warner, Morgantown High School
HopeWorks Scholarship – Trace McLaren, University High School
J. Cecil Jarvis Memorial Scholarship – Isabella Herrod and Logan Peck, West Virginia University
Jacob David Bower “Bower Power” Memorial Scholarship – Reagan Ash, North Marion High School; Connor Atkins, East Fairmont High School
James A. Womeldorff Vocational Development Scholarship – Amir Kuzbari, Bridgeport High School
Jarrett E. Loar Scholarship – Taylor Ellison, University High School
Jean and Laurence S. DeLynn Scholarship – Elijah Baxter, University High School; McKenna Boone, North Marion High School; Sierra Deverich, Morgantown High School; Addison Martin, North Marion High School; David Puderbaugh, Morgantown High School; Brooklyn Sierra, Preston High School; Vincent Sigley, Valley High School; Jayden Smalls, Morgantown High School
Jim Dunn Memorial Scholarship – Landon Jones, Fairmont Senior High School; Kaitlyn Key, Doddridge County High School; Joel Moreland, Morgantown High School
John and Mildred Peluso Italian-American Scholarship – Alyssa Tingler, Morgantown High School
Joycelyn A. and Robert A. Ayersman Sr. Memorial Scholarship – Ethan White, Preston High School
KHS Class of ’59 Scholarship – Brooklyn Casteel, Preston High School
Lillian A. Devison Scholarship – Logan Peck, West Virginia University
Margaret L. Spencer Health Career Education Scholarship – James Gantle, Waynesburg University
Matthew “Biggie” Wolfe Memorial Scholarship – Trace McLaren, University High School
Micah Wilson Memorial Scholarship – Logan Shisler, University High School
Michael F. Viglianco Scholarship – Addison Veigel, Bridgeport High School
Mountain Loggers Group, Inc. Scholarship – Carley Casteel, Preston High School
Nathan Cunningham Memorial Scholarship – Trey McDonough, Doddridge County High School
North Elementary Scholarship – Lana Abulaban, Morgantown High School
PFC Andrew Martin “Bo” Harper Memorial Scholarship – Jocelyn Nolan, University High School; Kiley Maddox, Morgantown High School
Roy and Frances Valentine Family Scholarship – Allyson Jarrett, Sissonville High School
Rusty Mazzie and Seth Nicholson Memorial Scholarship – Jack Stalnaker, Notre Dame High School
Sam McLaughlin Scholarship for the Arts – Lillian Tomana, West Virginia University
Seth Burton Memorial Scholarship – Benedicta Broscious, North Marion High School
Soundra K. Poling – Brookhaven Elementary Scholarship – Noah Dlugos, Morgantown High School; Madison Russell, Preston High School
West Virginia Black Heritage/Kelly Miller Scholarship – Jayden Smalls and India Garvin, Morgantown High School
William “Will” Charleton Bridges Scholarship – Charles Craig, Fairmont Senior High School
William Charles Davis and Dorcas Regina Davis Educational Scholarship – Reese Simon, Fairmont State University
Woodrow W. Woods Scholarship – Addyson Buffington, Bridgeport High School; Abigail Daugherty, Bridgeport High School; Cadence Hayes, Bridgeport High School; Isabella Herrod, West Virginia University; Keilana Kriner, Fairmont State University; Jonathan Lipovich, Marshall University; Mya Martinez, Bridgeport High School; Naudia Ng, Robert C. Byrd High School; Juan Cortez Ruiz, Bridgeport High School; Reese Simon, Fairmont State University
Established in 2011, YCF is a tax-exempt public charity created by and for the people of North Central West Virginia to manage multi-generational endowments. Charitable donations allow YCF to provide grants and scholarships across Harrison, Marion, Monongalia, Preston, and Taylor Counties.
For more information, visit www.ycfwv.org or call 304-296-3433.
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