Every graduating senior in Paden City High School’s Class of 2010 was awarded a scholarship at graduation ceremonies on June 5 held in the Bob Burton Gymnasium.The scholarships were awarded by the Paden City Foundation but funded through many individuals and organizations in the Paden City area.

The scholarships are an annual occurrence in Paden City and this year marks the third time that every graduate received an award for use in defraying the cost of education at a college, university, or technical school.Foundation President Rodney McWilliams, was on hand to present the majority of the foundation scholarships in a packed gym and was assisted by representatives from some of the organizations that fund some of the scholarships.

Larry Howard (retired US Army) presented the Veterans of Foreign Ware Post 6327 scholarship to Ashleigh Bland.Beri Fox represented the Paden City Lions Club and presented their scholarship to Tiffany Blatt.Matt and Kathi Ferrebee, long-time leaders of the Wildcat Boosters, offered some heartfelt advice to the graduates and presented two scholarships to Amanda Tallman and Braxton Herrick.

McWilliams presented the remainder of the scholarships as follows: Dr. R.F. and Libby Miller and Family scholarship to Amanda Sellers; Jesse Brown Memorial to Talesia Dawson; Paden City Alumni Association G.R. Berger Memorials to Josh Bennett, Michael Greathouse, Megan Lasure, and Sydney Frye; the Deborah Blatt-Pryor Memorial to Amber Palmer; the Sheldon S. Buck to Ethan Drain; the Bob Bowers Memorial to Stephanie West; the Hope and Owen McKay to Haley Fox; the Jeff Casteel Student-Athlete to Mitch Stewart; the C.M. Garrett Memorial to Nathan Ritchie; the Hannah Croasmun Memorials to Courtney Conaway and Erica Sapp; the Jane Martin Memorial to Allison Bertozzi; and the Paden City Eagles Scholastic awards to Allison Bertozzi and Ethan Drain.

One new scholarship for 2010 is the Gary and Ruby McWilliams Family Scholarship.The inaugural recipient is Malakai Anderson.Another set of scholarships honored the recently successful organization, the Cornerstone Project. The Cornerstone Now and Forever scholarships went to Kevin Bliss, Allen Straight, Amanda Morris, Kenna Lancaster, Silas Davis, Kayla Hinkley, and Maria Martens.

McWilliams noted, “We realize that not all the graduates have plans to enter a college, university, or technical school.However, the goal of the foundation has always been to strive to be able to make opportunities available to every graduate of PCHS if they desire to go forward with their formal education.We have achieved this goal three out of the last five years through the generosity of a giving community.Numerous scholarships are awarded every year and we are happy to be able to make an award available to every member of this year’s class.These scholarships are not possible, if not for the hard work and generous nature of the donors and we are very thankful to them.”

Prior to the ceremony, the foundation presented each graduate with a medallion worn during the ceremony to signify their membership in the Class of 2010 and to commemorate their graduation day. Just before awarding the scholarships, the foundation paid special tribute to the American Legion Post 86 of Paden City for their continued support of the schools in Paden City through decades of hard work.The foundation also recognized the members of the Wetzel County Board of Education and thanked them for their work and support of all of the county’s schools and specifically for their decision in regard to the Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan (CEFP) and action to reverse any proposed school closing.Each was presented a framed letter of thanks and the same medallion worn by the graduates.Warren Grace, retiring principal of Paden City High School, was also recognized for his years of service to the school, its students, and the community. Grace was given a framed letter of thanks and recognition, noting the stance he took in regard to the CEFP, and also one of the Class of 2010 medallions.