Members of the Whitehead family present the Gary “Boo Boo” Whitehead Memorial Scholarship to Isaiah Hubble in 2023. From left are Whitehead family friend Greg Vess, Courtney Whitehead Dillman, Jackie Whitehead and Hubble. Alleghany High School is now offering the community an opportunity to provide scholarships to seniors in the Class of 2024. The scholarships will be awarded in May. (AHPS Photo) Â

'Scholarship Season' Is Community Effort to Support AHS Seniors   Covington, VA (Feb. 6, 2024) - “Scholarship Season” is in full swing for the Alleghany High School administration and guidance staff as they work to provide financial assistance to graduating seniors who plan to further their education.  AHS Senior Awards Night is being planned for May, and the AHS staff is offering the public an opportunity to create scholarships for seniors to help offset the cost of attending a college or trade school. “We have many deserving seniors who have applied or plan to apply to trade schools, community colleges, and four-year colleges. Higher education is expensive. Scholarships can make a difference in a student being able or not being able to pursue a certification, an associate degree, or a bachelor’s degree,” said Heather Terrell, a veteran teacher who is in her second year of serving as an academic advisor at AHS. According to the education research group Education Data Initiative, the average cost of college in the United States is $36,436 per year. That costs includes tuition, books, supplies, and daily living expenses. In Virginia, the average yearly cost is $25,761. “We all know that college is extremely expensive, and over one-half of the seniors in this year’s graduating class are expressing an interest in furthering their education,” Terrell said.  This year’s Senior Awards Night will be the first for the combined Alleghany High School. At the start of the school year last fall, Covington High School and Alleghany High School merged into one high school. The merger was part of an agreement that created the Alleghany Highlands Public Schools Division in July 2022. AHPS came into being when Alleghany County Public Schools, Covington City Public Schools, and Jackson River Technical Center consolidated into one school division.   In past years, Alleghany High School and Covington High School seniors were awarded local scholarships ranging from $200 to more than $1,000 in value. AHS plans to continue the prior traditions. Local businesses, organizations, families, and individuals are being encouraged to fund scholarships. Roberta Crizer, an AHS secretary for special projects who helps coordinate scholarships, said even small scholarships can help students offset expenses such as the cost of books and supplies.  The sponsor of a scholarship will set the amount, and establish the qualifications for applicants. The scholarships can be awarded one time only, or on an annual basis.  “AHS seniors are the children of your neighbors, your friends, your co-workers, and your employees. Our seniors may work as part-time employees of your business, or they may work at a business you frequent. Access to post-secondary education will give our students more opportunities and benefit our community as a whole,” Terrell said. Scholarship applications are already being posted on a bulletin board near the AHS Guidance Department. Individuals and organizations interested in continuing an existing scholarship or creating a new one can contact Terrell at heather.terrell@ahps.k12.va.us, or Crizer at roberta.crizer@ahps.k12.va.us. The telephone number for the AHS Guidance Department is (540) 863-1703. Follow AHPS on social media for regular updates on news and events. AHPS can be found on Facebook at AHPublicSchools, and on Instagram at ahpublicschools. Information is also available by visiting www.ahps.k12.va.us.

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