The Shadow
CLIFTON FORGE – The Dabney S. Lancaster Community College Educational Foundation has awarded scholarships to two Clifton Forge residents, Paige Martin and Rebecca Persinger, who are June graduates of Alleghany High School.
The awards will assist with Martin and Persinger’s tuition and book expenses for one year at DSLCC and are part of more than $85,000 the non-profit foundation has awarded in scholarships for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Paige Martin
Paige Lynn Martin is the recipient of the Tim Backels Scholarship and the Central High School Lucy Gleason Memorial Scholarship. She is the daughter of Daryl and Mary Lynn Martin.
Martin is enrolled in DSLCC’s Education transfer program and will enter the school with six college credits through her participation in DSLCC’s Dual Enrollment Program. After completing studies at DSLCC for an Associate of Arts and Sciences Degree in Education, she plans to transfer to either James Madison University or Roanoke College to pursue a Bachelors Degree.
Martin’s goal is to be a primary school teacher. She explains that she is passionate about teaching, and that teaching children is her calling. “I believe education is the most giving and rewarding career there is. I can’t wait to be a teacher and great role model for my students, Martin said.”
Her teachers commented that Martin is a well-rounded student who has the ability, organization, motivation, and desire to excel. “Paige was organized, dependable, and had excellent rapport with teachers and students alike. She was a hard worker and a joy to be around,” said one teacher.
Martin has found success both in and outside the classroom. During her senior year, she served the school as president of the Student Council Association. Martin was a dedicated member of the Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), Pep Club and Key Club for four years and served as vice president of the Key Club her senior year. She was a member of the Black Heritage Club and Varsity Club her sophomore and junior years and a member of the yearbook staff her senior year.
Martin was a member of the AHS band her freshman year and played soccer and volleyball for the Mountaineers her freshman and sophomore years.
Her accomplishments in civic work are noteworthy. Through her membership in such organizations as the Key Club, Martin participated in many community service activities for several non-profit organizations such as the Salvation Army, Alleghany
Highlands Christmas Mother Program, Kiwanis, and the YMCA. She also has
volunteered at the local elementary schools. Martin was the second
runner-up in both the 2009 Senior Miss Queen of Hearts pageant and the 2009 Miss Fall Foliage pageant.
The Tim Backels Scholarship was established by the Backels family and friends in memory of Tim Backels, the son of Dr. and Mrs. John F. Backels of Clifton Forge. A graduate of Clifton Forge High School, Tim was a student at Virginia Tech when he died as the result of an automobile accident in May 1980.
The Central High School Lucy Gleason Memorial Scholarship was established through donations from members of the Central High School Class of 1949. The scholarship was created to honor the life and memory of Miss Lucy Gleason, a much-loved teacher who taught in the Alleghany County School System for 46 years, 32 of which were spent at Central School in Low Moor. Miss Gleason was a graduate of Clifton Forge High School.
Rebecca Persinger
Rebecca Susan Persinger, daughter of Mike and Karen Persinger, is the recipient of a Helen F. Dickson Scholarship.
Persinger is enrolled in DSLCC’s Transfer Program. After completing studies at DSLCC for an Associate of Arts and Science Degree in General Studies/Science, she plans to transfer to Christopher Newport University where she will pursue a Bachelors Degree in chemistry and a minor in anthropology.
Persinger graduated with a 3.72 GPA from AHS, while pursuing a rigorous course load – including 15 credit hours of college courses through her participation in DSLCC’s Dual Enrollment program – and balancing many extracurricular activities. Her outstanding academic achievement, character, service to her community, and leadership skills led to her selection for membership in the school’s BETA club. Her teachers agree that Persinger always was enthusiastic about learning and was willing to do whatever was needed in order to be successful.
“Rebecca was always willing to do new things. She worked extremely well with others and tried to help others who were struggling,” commented one teacher. “In addition, she always added something positive to group assignments.”
In addition to the BETA Club, Persinger was active in the Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) and the Expressions Literary Club. She has proven her commitment to community service through a wide variety of venues not only through her participation in various school clubs and organizations, but also on her own.
Whether donating to local charities like the Alleghany Highlands Christmas Mother Program, the Humane Society and Safe Homes and broader organizations like Haiti Relief, “Soles for Souls,” and the March of Dimes, Persinger is always willing to lend a hand. She also invested personal talents in improving her school community by painting bathrooms at AHS to reflect school spirit.
Persinger has been active in horseback riding at Vineyard Farms in Millboro for several years and has served at the camp as a junior counselor for summer horse camp.
The scholarship honors the memory of Helen Dickson who was born in the Callaghan area of Alleghany County. Throughout her lifetime, she reached out to others in her church, family, work, civic and community activities. She was the Youth Director at Granbery Memorial Methodist Church for 15 years and worked with area youth on numerous community projects, generously giving of her time and devotion to these young people she so endearingly called “my kids.”
Limited family means and general financial conditions during the Great Depression conspired to prevent Miss Dickson from attending college, which was a source of disappointment and regret to her. Although she had no children of her own, she encouraged the young people whose lives she touched to continue their education after high school, emphasizing that it would broaden their perspectives, enhance their life opportunities, and improve the quality of life for future generations.
Her goal to continue to give of herself to young people has come to fruition through the Helen F. Dickson Scholarships, made possible through a bequest to the Educational Foundation from Miss Dickson’s estate.
