State selects 24 students for West Virginia’s prestigious teaching scholarship

Incoming college freshmen will receive $40,000 Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars award

CHARLESTON, WV - Twenty-four high school seniors who graduated this year have been selected as West Virginia's fifth cohort of Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars. These students will receive the state's newest and most prestigious scholarship of up to $10,000 per year - or $40,000 total - for their college education as they prepare to pursue rewarding careers as West Virginia teachers.

"I'm incredibly proud of these young scholars, and I can't wait to see what they accomplish over the next four years and beyond," said Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker, West Virginia's Chancellor of Higher Education. "We worked with the Legislature and Governor Justice to create a preeminent scholarship that would produce new generations of strong, committed teachers for years to come in the Mountain State. With a remarkable five cohorts of scholars now pursuing their teaching careers right here at home, we are well on our way to reaching that goal."

The Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program is designed to help West Virginia address ongoing teacher shortages in the fields of math, science, special education, and elementary education. Recipients commit to teaching in one of these high-demand fields in West Virginia for at least five years after graduation. To give students the greatest chance at success, each is paired with a practicing classroom teacher mentor, who provides guidance throughout their college careers.

The 2024 Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars beginning their studies in West Virginia this fall are:

• Keci Armstead from Cabell Midland High School will be studying elementary education at Marshall University.

• Danielle Bailey from Oak Hill High School will be studying elementary education at Marshall University.

• Emma Broce from St. Marys High School will be studying elementary education at Marshall University.

• Lily Campbell from Martinsburg Senior High School will be studying elementary education at West Virginia University.

• Teylah Carson from Bluefield High School will be studying elementary education at Fairmont State University.

• Caitlyn Clendenin from Mauldin High School will be studying elementary education at Fairmont State University.

• Emma Cremann from Moorefield High School will be studying elementary education at West Virginia University.

• AnnaKay Dean from Spring Valley High School will be studying elementary education at Marshall University.

• Taylor Dempsey from Oak Hill High School will be studying math at Marshall University.

• Taylor Foster from Scott High School will be studying elementary education at Fairmont State University.

• Jordan Groves from Bridgeport High School will be studying elementary education at West Virginia Wesleyan College.

• Jillian Huffman from Wheeling Park High School will be studying science at West Liberty University.

• Karlee Jozwick from Doddridge County High School will be studying elementary education at Fairmont State University.

• Allie Kerby from Wirt County High School will be studying science at West Liberty University.

• Anna Lantz from Buckhannon-Upshur High School will be studying elementary education at Fairmont State University.

• Rachel McClung from Parkersburg Catholic High School will be studying elementary education at West Liberty University.

• Caleb Messer from Scott High School will be studying elementary education at Marshall University.

• Olivia Rupe from Herbert Hoover High School will be studying Math at Fairmont State University.

• Jada Sanders from Keyser High School will be studying elementary education at West Virginia University.

• Rosaline Shackleford from Buckhannon-Upshur High School will be studying elementary education at Fairmont State University.

• Jack Stanislawczyk from Keyser High School will be studying elementary education at Fairmont State High School.

• Katie Stephenson from Liberty High School will be studying elementary education at Concord University.

• Lily Taylor Whittaker from Sissonville High School will be studying elementary education at Marshall University.

• Lydia Wamsley from Tygarts Valley High School will be studying elementary education at Davis & Elkins College.

Scholar highlights will be featured throughout the month of August on the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission's Facebook page.

For rising high school seniors who want to become a teacher in West Virginia, applications are now open for the 2025 cohort. Visit College for West Virginia for more information. The Underwood-Smith award is stackable with other forms of financial aid. West Virginia residents who receive the Promise Scholarship as well ($5,500 annually) receive $15,500 per year to help pay for college.

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