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Scholarships for SMHS Graduating Seniors
Scholarship Selection Criteria
- Preference will be given to graduates of St. Marys High School who have attended the high school for at least their full senior year.
- The applicant must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 for all high school classes completed by the end of the first semester of their senior year.
- A rating scale which will consider academic achievement and financial need as well as good citizenship, service to school/community and leadership will be utilized to objectively award the scholarships.
Scholarship Application Process
The Pleasants Community Foundation Scholarship Application Form must be completed and submitted by the first day of April. This application is available at the Foundation Office at 309 Second Street, St. Marys; at the SMHS guidance office; or here. In addition to the application, the following documentation must be provided:
- A transcript of your high school grades through the end of the first semester of your senior year (request that your school counselor provide the transcript directly to us).
- The page from your financial aid (FAFSA) application which contains the “estimated family contribution” (please do not send the entire application).
- An essay which includes the following information: Background, extra curricular activities, community service, educational goals, career aspirations, and how the scholarship would further these objectives. For SMHS graduating seniors, if your family has a history of military service, please state that in your essay.
General Scholarships
SMHS Class of 1956 Scholarship
Elvis Presley’s “Heartbreak Hotel” was number one on the charts when these folks graduated from SMHS. Fifty years later, the class started their scholarship fund in 2006.
SMHS Class of 1957 Scholarship
Pat Boone’s “Love Letters in the Sand” topped the charts when this class graduated. Like the Class of 1956, they started their fund on the 50th anniversary of that graduation.
SMHS Class of 1985 Scholarship
Family Ties and Miami Vice were popular television shows when this class graduated. They established their scholarship fund in 2006.
Col. Joseph D. Wright Scholarship
Col. Wright, a native of St. Marys and a 1934 graduate of SMHS, lost is his life in Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, Louisiana. His grandson, Joseph D. Wright III, established the scholarship in his memory in 2005.
Pleasants County Educational Trust
These are the most coveted of our scholarships, offering $1,000 a year for four years.
Ruth and Claire Pickens Memorial Scholarship
Ruth Pickens was a long time teacher in Pleasants County schools. Claire was a supervisor at the local Quaker State plant. Their three daughters, Mary Ann, Linda, and Jane established this scholarship in their honor.
St. Marys AMVETS Post 40 Scholarship
This veteran’s organization established its scholarship in 2006. Preference is given to a student whose family has a history of military service.
St. Marys Presbyterian Church Legacy Scholarship
Awarded to a graduating senior at SMHS, this scholarship was created by the Presbytery of West Virginia to commemorate the St. Marys Presbyterian Church which closed in 2023.
SMHS Memorial Alumni Scholarship
This scholarship was established in 2014 by combining several funds that weren’t likely to reach endowment level.
Ann & Harry Gene Bradfield Scholarship for the Performing Arts
Honoring long-time SMHS teacher Ann Bradfield and her husband, Harry Gene, this scholarship recognizes an SMHS senior that has been involved in drama and musical activities and plans to major or minor in theatre in college.
Pleasants County Professional Women Scholarship
This scholarship was established in 2006 by the local professional women’s club for students in Pleasants County who attend the Mid-Ohio Valley Technical Institute.
Elizabeth "Libby" Doty Memorial Scholarship
Libby Doty was a member of the 1984 St. Marys High School class whose life was cut short by cancer just three months prior to what would have been her high school graduation. This scholarship is awarded to a deserving SMHS senior that demonstrates outstanding leadership and academic excellence.
Andrew Barksdale Time to See the World Scholarship
This scholarship was established in 2020 by Andrew Barksdale '02. The annual award will go to an ambitious SMHS graduate looking to experience higher education, push outside their comfort zone, and pursue all the world has to offer.
Katie Heller Scholarship for Public Service & Advocacy
This annual award goes to a graduating senior to aid in their pursuit of a degree in government, law, non-profit, social services, or journalism fields.
Chase Correll Scholarship
Created in memory of Chase Correll, a student at SMHS who participated in golf and cross country. The scholarship is awarded to a deserving SMHS senior planning to pursue a college education.
Bob Hammel Scholarship
This scholarship, created in honor of long-time Pleasants County teacher and coach Bob Hammel, promotes the spirit of kindness, consideration of others, and honesty that Bob showed throughout his life. To be eligible for the Hammel Scholarship, SMHS seniors must have a 3.00 GPA, participate in boys or girls basketball at SMHS, and participate in extracurricular and community activities. Applicants must also submit an essay, describing their achievements and focusing on how they plan to “pay it forward” in the future.
Tice Family Scholarship
This scholarship was established by Dr. Jared R. Tice, SMHS Class of 2002, in honor of his parents, the late John R. Tice, SMHS Class of 1965, and Robin Ann Ashworth Tice, who retired after 43 years as a teacher in the Pleasants County School system. To be eligible, SMHS seniors must have a 3.5 unweighted GPA or higher and be attending a four-year institution of higher education after graduation. Preference will be given to applicants that are the first generation in their family to attend college.
Chris Riggs Heart & Hustle Scholarship
Created in memory of Chris Riggs, a 2017 SMHS graduate. Awarded to a deserving SMHS senior that has participated in boys or girls basketball and plans to pursue either a college degree or technical training after graduation.
Vo-Ag/Future Farmers of America (FFA) and Technical Education Scholarships
Submit your online application to the Pleasants Community Foundation. Indicate your involvement in FFA and/or your plans to pursue technical training.
Alpha Ankrom Scholarship
Alpha Ankrom was a 1997 graduate of St. Marys High School who never missed a day of school. His life was cut short in an automobile accident in December of 1997. Two scholarships are awarded to Vo-Ag/FFA students each year.
Delno Higgins Scholarship
Delno Higgins was a long-time Pleasants County farmer and supporter of vocational agriculture programs at SMHS. His wife, Elizabeth, established this scholarship in his memory. Two scholarships are awarded to Vo-Ag/FFA students each year.
Ludford Technical Education Scholarship
Created by former SMHS teacher Bruce "Bud" Ludford, this scholarship goes to a senior planning to enroll in a community or technical college, adult career center, or union apprenticeship program.
Teaching Scholarships
Gaynell and Robert Adkins Teaching Scholarship
Mr. and Mrs. Adkins spent their entire careers teaching in the Pleasants County School System. This scholarship was established by Mrs. Adkins in 2002.
Judy and Mike Webb Scholarship
One of our newest scholarships recognizes two people who devoted their lives to teaching in Pleasants County. This scholarship was established in 2016.
Music Scholarships
Nathan Bradley Heller Music and Medical Science Scholarship
Nathan passed away in 2014 and the scholarship was established by his parents and sister. Nathan was a 2010 honors graduate of the West Virginia University School of Music and was in his first year of nursing school at the time of his death.
Jones SMHS Band Scholarship
Honors the late attorney’s request to reinstate a scholarship for senior band members. A graduating senior must have been an active member of marching band during at least three years of high school at SMHS or in combination with another high school, possess a 3.0 GPA, and be pursuing some form of post-secondary education or training. In addition, the student’s essay should include what being a member of the band has meant to the student.
Medical Science
Nathan Bradley Heller Music and Medical Science Scholarship
Nathan passed away in 2014 and the scholarship was established by his parents and sister. Nathan was a 2010 honors graduate of the West Virginia University School of Music and was in his first year of nursing school at the time of his death.
Foreign Languages
Robert Stanley Foreign Language Scholarship
This existing scholarship came to the foundation in 2011 and is awarded to either a graduating high school senior or a college student studying a foreign language.