Congrats to our 2024 scholarship recipients from James River and Lord Botetourt High Schools!
Makayla Petty is from James River High School and she plans to attend Bridgwater College and major in Environmental Science. Makayla has raised chickens, helped her grandpa get up hay, actively participated in the FFA and has served as Reporter. She has assisted in organizing events for the FFA club, attended the Virginia State Convention, participated in forestry competitions, the Botetourt County Fair, 4H/FFA Expo, helped with Know, Grow, Go‚ at the local elementary schools, and have consistently been an agriculture advocate through her middle and high school career.
Emma Bobbitt is also from James River High School and is attending Glenville State University in West Virginia and plans to receive a bachelors in Natural Resource Management; Criminal Justice. Emma did not come from a background of running a dairy farm or growing soybeans. However, some of her fondest memories growing up are caring for her grandparent’s garden with them. Many hours were spent planting seeds, tilling rows, and gathering fresh spring water. Another favorite memory of Emma’s was showing a lamb named Tater Tot when she was a part of 4-H Kids and Critters Club. In high school, she joined FFA and held the position of Treasurer, Vice President, and President. In FFA, Emma has volunteered for events like the Botetourt County Fair, FFA/4-H Expo, and Freedom Fest. All of these events serve to inform the public about agriculture.
Nolan Medley is from Lord Botetourt High School and plans to attend Lenoir-Rhyne University and major in Business to then run his family’s business in Water Treatment with Valley Chemicals and Systems. Nolan has enjoyed working alongside his dad and learning about the water treatment business. It has been very rewarding interacting with his customers and helping them utilize their equipment to maintain a high quality of healthy water for their business or home. He looks forward to continuing this in the future and helping to educate their customers on how to better protect our natural resources.
