Lydia Wamsley, a senior at Tygarts Valley High School, has been awarded a $5,000 per year Citizens Bank of West Virginia Emerging Leaders Scholarship to Davis & Elkins College for a total of $20,000 over four years.

Davis & Elkins College, Citizens Bank of West Virginia, and WDTV partnered for a third year to offer the unique scholarship competition. All 2024 West Virginia high school graduates, whether attending a public, private, or homeschool, with a 3.25 or higher GPA were eligible to apply. Impressed with the high caliber of applicants, College officials decided to offer multiple scholarships in addition to the selection of one student who received a full, four-year scholarship.

Applicants were required to submit a list of high school and community activities, along with an essay based on the topic, “If you receive this scholarship, how will you pay it forward to the state of West Virginia?”

Wamsley is the daughter of Amie and Marc Wamsley of Valley Bend. At Tygarts Valley High School, Wamsley is a Varsity cheerleader and a member of the competition cheer team, a member of TVHS Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Honor Society, a Senior Homecoming Court Princess, Rhododendron Girls State 2023, a Rhododendron Girls State Samsung Scholarship Winner and National Finalist. Wamsley is a Teacher Assistant at George Ward Elementary School, a competitive dancer and instructor at Center Stage Performing Arts, a dancer, and performer at Gandy Dancer Theater and Conference Center, and attends Home of the Soul Worship Center.

At Davis & Elkins College, Wamsley plans to double major in Elementary and Special Education.

Davis & Elkins College offers more than 40 academic programs. Multiple scholarship opportunities are available including the College’s annual $5.4 million investment in West Virginia students. For additional information, call 304-637-1230 or visit www.dewv.edu/admissions.