ELKINS – Three students in the region received scholarship awards presented by the Davis Medical Center Auxiliary Scholarship Committee, the Davis Medical Center Medical Staff and the West Virginia Hospital Association Auxiliary. The awards were distributed during each students’ high school awards ceremony. Winners include Sydney Moore, a $1,000 scholarship from the Davis Medical Center Auxiliary and a $1,000 award from the Davis Medical Center Medical Staff; Charles Hunter Wilfong, a $1,000 scholarship from the Davis Medical Center Auxiliary; and Taylor Maynard, a $500 scholarship from the West Virginia Hospital Association Auxiliary.
Davis Medical Center Auxiliary Scholarship Committee Chairperson Cindy Stemple said the committee received 19 applicants for the Davis Medical Center Auxiliary Scholarships.
“It was wonderful to receive so many applications, but it made it very challenging because all of the applicants were very, very good,” Stemple said. “We focus on students who have been very active in their communities and who are high achievers. We also looked for students who have contributed to their high schools in a positive manner.”
Stemple said applications came from students served by Davis Medical Center including Randolph, Pocahontas, Tucker, Webster, Pendleton, Barbour and Upshur counties.
“Our committee is so impressed with the winners of these scholarships,” Stemple said. “We know they will go on to do great things and we want to encourage them to study hard and continue to be a positive influence for the people around them.”
Scholarship recipient Sydney Moore is the daughter of Robert and Rebecca Moore of Hambleton. She is the granddaughter of Roger and Dorothy Murphy of Hambleton and the late Howard and Mildred Moore of St. George. Sydney has one brother Derek and his wife Christian, and one sister Kylie and her fiancé Zac. She has two nephews, Carter and Branson, and one niece, Brayleigh.
Sydney is a 2018 graduate of Tucker County High School. She was a member of the TVHS Cheerleading Squad her freshman year and played on the TVHS Varsity Girls Basketball Team and Track Team each year in high school. She was a member of the National Honor Society and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She participated in YoungLIfe and is a member of the Parsons Church of God. Sydney spent 10 years in Dance by Farrah. During her summer breaks, Sydney served many hours volunteering at Davis Medical Center.
This fall, Sydney will attend Fairmont State University where she will study nursing with a focus in obstetrics. She is also the recipient of a $1,000 scholarship from the Davis Medical Center Medical Staff.
Charles Hunter Wilfong is the son of Charlie and Lois Wilfong of Hillsboro. His grandparents are Edgar and Doris Starks of Hillsboro. Hunter is a 2018 graduate of Pocahontas County High School where he was a four-year-member of the PCHS Football Team and a member of the Warriors Above the Influence.
Hunter served as a student representative on the Pocahontas County Board of Education and was in the National Honor Society. He volunteered for the Hillsboro community by serving as a volunteer with the Hillsboro Fire Department and as parking chairman for the Hillsboro Heritage Fair. Hunter is a member of the Hillsboro Presbyterian Church where he helps with games during their Vacation Bible School in the summer.
This fall, Hunter plans to attend West Virginia Wesleyan College where he will study to become a flight nurse. During his time at WVWC, Hunter will live at the Buckhannon Fire Department as part of their ‘Live In’ Program.
“I will stay at the fire house in their bunk house,” Hunter said. “I will get to run with them on calls while I attend college. I think I will enjoy it. One of the big things for me is that studies come first, which is important to me.”
Elkins High School Salutatorian Taylor Maynard received a $500 scholarship from the West Virginia Hospital Association Auxiliary. Taylor has been a Davis Medical Center Youth Volunteer since 2015 helping in the inpatient and outpatient pharmacy as well as the Davis Health System Foundation.
Taylor is the daughter of Mandy and Tommy Maynard of Elkins. She has one brother, Brayden. Her grandparents are Dave and the late Katrina Bodkins of Coalton, and Bob and the late Pam Chewning of Belington. While at Elkins High School, she was a member of the National Honor Society, the Spanish National Honor Society, HERO, the Wellness Club and was president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She served as co-captain of the EHS Varsity Girls Basketball Team and the EHS Cross Country Team her senior year. She completed one year of track, attended Rhododendron Girls State and was the recipient of the EHS School Pride Award and was named the Community Athlete of the Week in The Inter-Mountain Newspaper.
In her spare time, Taylor served as a Peer Tutor at Elkins High School during her senior year, was a volunteer for HOFNOD, participated in YoungLife, helped with the animals at the Randolph County Humane Society, volunteered with Youth Basketball and was a WVSSAC certified basketball official. She is employed by Jamaica Jay’s Shaved Ice in Elkins. Taylor attends the Elkins Alliance Church.
Taylor will be attending West Virginia University this upcoming semester and she plans to become a pharmacist.