Scholarship

Elizabeth and Israel Christian Scholarship & Pat Simmons and Sally Eads Volunteer Annual Scholarship Programs

The Elizabeth and Israel Christian Scholarship was created in 1999 and is offered annually by Historic Fincastle, Inc.(HFI) as a way to commemorate the history of Fincastle and encourage and support students from our local community. The mission of HFI is to support the preservation of the historical, physical and cultural resources of Fincastle, Virginia and its surroundings.

The Pat Simmons and Sally Eads Volunteer Scholarship was created in 2016 as a way to honor these two women and their long history of volunteerism to the Town of Fincastle and HFI. Pat Simmons was a long-time educator in Botetourt County Public Schools and Virginia Western Community College. Sally Eads was a history professor at Virginia Western Community College and served on the Botetourt County School Board.

The HFI Scholarship Program is facilitated and managed by Historic Fincastle, Inc. Scholarship Committee and HFI Board of Directors.

Scholarship applications are available in the School Counseling Departments of Lord Botetourt and James River each year in January.

The Scholarship Program Criteria:

• Current senior at Lord Botetourt High School or James River High School

• Community service, work/intern experiences, academic achievement

• Planned enrollment as an undergraduate in the fall semester

Application Requirements:

• Two letters of reference

• Current official transcript in a sealed envelope (Christian only)

• Current resume or list including honors, activities, and work experience

• An essay of not more than 500 words (essay topic changes each year)

Year	Winner	Amount	Notes	Total Amount of HFI Scholarship Awards
1999	Jenny Ladenheim	$1,000		$1,000
2000	Jenny Ladenheim	$1,000		$2,000
2001	Meg Sellers	$1,000		$3,000
2002	Derek Wiley Kim Sharp	$1,000 $500		$4,500
2003	Rob Campbell Abigail Weddle	$500 $500	Memory of H.W. Kessler	$5,500
2004	Dustin King	$1,000	Memory of Emily Honts	$6,500
2005	Michael Alexander	$1,000		$7,500
2006	Joshua Demaury	$1,000	Memory of Leslie B. Kinion	$8,500
2007	Hunter Simmons	$500	Memory of Eugene Downs	$9,000
2008	Katie McCampbell	$500		$9,500
2009	N/A			$9,500
2010	Steven Huffman	$500		$10,000
2011	Mallory White (LBHS) Shannon Kessler (JRHS)	$500 $500		$11,000
2012	Bennett Witcher (LBHS) Zachariah Ewen (JRHS)	$500 $500		$12,000
2013	R. Catherine Nash (LBHS) Hannah Austin (JRHS)	$500 $500		$13,000
2014	Christopher Halsey (LBHS) Lucas Arney (JRHS)	$500 $500	Memory of Ronald Lucas and Margaret (Peg) Wysong	$14,000
2015	Kara Brads (LBHS) Jill Tucker (JRHS)	$500 $500		$15,000
2016	Alexandra Lesniak (LBHS) Zachery Keith (JRHS)	$250 $250	Pat Simmons and Sally Eads Volunteer Scholarship	$15,500
2016	Abigail Rigatti (LBHS) Rebecca Theimer (JRHS)	$500 $500		$16,500
2017	Mackenzie Oesterreich (LBHS) Riley Marshall (JRHS)	$250 $250	Pat Simmons and Sally Eads Volunteer Scholarship	$17,000
2017	Mary-Hannah Jackson (LBHS) Nate Brinkley (JRHS)	$500 $500	Elizabeth and Israel Christian Scholarship	$18,000
2018	Catherine Farris (LBHS) William Fowler (JRHS)	$250 $250	Pat Simmons and Sally Eads Volunteer Scholarship	$18,500
2018	Claire Seibel (LBHS) Lydia Sydney (JRHS)	$500 $500	Elizabeth and Israel Christian Scholarship	$19,500
2019	Sydney Robinson (LBHS) Emma Butler (JRHS)	$250 $250	Pat Simmons and Sally Eads Volunteer Scholarship	$20,000
2019	Carlissa Martin (LBHS) Bailey Marshall (JRHS)	$500 $500	Elizabeth and Israel Christian Scholarship	$21,000
2020	Mackenzie Seebo (JRHS)	$250	Pat Simmons and Sally Eads Volunteer Scholarship	$21,250
2020	Ethan Webster (LBHS) Abbagail Link (JRHS)	$500 $500	Elizabeth and Israel Christian Scholarship	$22,250

HFI has awarded over $22,000 in scholarships to college bound students. Funds are made possible by membership donations and fundraising events such as Holiday Home Tour and Marketplace.

Historic Fincastle, Inc presented their scholarship winners at the James River High School Awards Assembly on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.

The Elizabeth and Israel Christian $1000 Scholarship was awarded to Paul Theimer of Shavers Farm Road, Fincastle, VA. He is the son of Michael and Jennifer Theimer. He is an honor student and the senior class president. Paul has participated in Soccer, FCA, and National Honor Society. In the Fall he plans to attend Virginia Tech and study Finance. One of Paul’s references described as “civic minded… with a great sense of responsibility towards improving the lives of those around him … and can mobilize others and foster collaboration.” Another reference describes him as “hardworking, driven and motivated… kind and caring…and determined.” Congratulations Paul and good luck in the future.

The Pat Simmons and Sally Eads $500 Scholarship was awarded to Drew Whitson of Black Forest Lane, Buchanan, VA. She is the daughter of Sean and Ashley Whitson. Drew plans on attending Virginia Western Community College and study nursing. She has shown many types of volunteering on her application: Swim Club, Bee Club, Feeding America 2021, Fincastle Library Book Sale, New Freedom Farm Cheer Team, Solomons Mission, YMCA older Adults Luncheon, and James River High School Day of Service 2023 and 2024, just to name a few. One of Drew’s references described her as “zealous, resilient, sacrificial leader, dedicated, … quick to cheer others on, putting their needs above her own.” Her other reference described her as “a breath of fresh air, …, she completes her tasks, and is wiling to do anything asked of her.” Congratulations Drew and good luck in the future.

Lord Botetourt High School Winners of 2024 HFI Scholarships

On May 17, 2024, at the LBHS Senior Awards Assembly, the following students received scholarships from Historic Fincastle, Inc. Gavin T. Rosenberger of Daleville was awarded the $1000 Elizabeth and Israel Christian Scholarship. This scholarship is based on an essay written by Gavin about Fincastle. Why was it originally located where it is today, who settled here and, where did the name Fincastle originate. “Scotch-Iris and German immigrants from Pennsylvania originally settled…around a sawmill that was erected by John Miller…Israel Christian, a businessman, American Pioneer and Landowner establish the Town of Fincastle by donating forty five acres of land…The pride of Fincastle’s current residents shows through with events like the Tinsel Trail Tree Lighting … and other events all year.” Gavin’s references described him as a having a positive outlook that sets him apart from his peers, and that he is a humble young man with a servant’s heart. Gavin plans to attend Virginia Tech next year. He is the son of Kent and Kimberly Rosenberger.

The $500 Pat Simmons and Sally Eads Volunteer Scholarship was awarded to Emily Hanson from Blue Ridge. She is the daughter of Paul and Renee Hanson and plans to attend either Liberty University or Virginia Tech in the fall. In addition to volunteer at the Fincastle Baptist Church media department, Read Mount Swim Tim, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, LBHS Key Club, cheerleading and yearbook, she says that she was “taught to be humble rather than selfish or prideful”. “The most lasting impact of volunteering I experienced was teaching young children the strokes and techniques of swimming. . . Making a positive impact on children through volunteering is something I will purse throughout life…” Her references stated that “Emily is an intelligent, ambitious, and sincere young adult. . .I can personally attest of her high ethical standards, hard work and compassion for people who she considers her friends as well as people she does not know.”

HFI would like to congratulate Gavin Rosenberger and Emily Hanson on their fine accomplishments while at Lord Botetourt and wish them much success in their future endeavors.

Historic Fincastle, Inc.