June 8, 2021
The Radford High School Foundation, Inc. recently awarded $40,250 through 18 separate scholarships at the local high school. 15 of those scholarships were awarded to graduating students during the annual RHS Academic Awards program, and three scholarships were awarded during the RHS Athletic Awards event. Over $350,000 in scholarships has been awarded for graduating students since the foundation was formed in 1986. The Radford High School Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c) (3) tax exempt organization that was formed by friends and alumni for the sole purpose of supporting Radford’s already successful school system. The foundation awards scholarships to college bound seniors in recognition of their academic achievement, community service, leadership, career goals, and/or athletic participation.
All 18 scholarships awarded this year are in memory or recognition of outstanding folks who were loved and who contributed greatly to our schools and community. Three new endowed scholarships were awarded at this year’s Academic Award ceremony.
The Mary Ellen Moore and James M. Moore Memorial Scholarship was established in recognition of Mary Ellen Moore’s leadership and community service as a teacher in the Radford City School System from 1964 until her retirement in 1984. Mary Ellen began her career teaching in Indiana. While in Indiana, Mary Ellen married her husband, James “Jim” Moore in 1947. They moved to Blacksburg in 1964, and Mary Ellen chose the field of Home Economics, and continued her teaching career at Radford High School. Jim became an educator at Virginia Tech, where he was an associate professor of agriculture until his retirement in 1988. Mary Ellen and Jim were friends and supporters of education.
They truly believed in the profound impact education could have on their respective students, and this scholarship was created to memorialize their dedication to and love of academia. Mary Ellen and Jim were happily married for 68 years until Jim’s passing in 2015. Mary Ellen Moore passed in 2020. The first winners of the Moore Memorial Scholarships awarded this spring in the amount of $3500 each were graduating seniors Mandolyn Mullins, and Sam Kennedy. Both Mullins and Kennedy plan to attend New River Community College.
The Robert P. Asbury and Carol C. Asbury Public Service Scholarship was also awarded for the first time this spring. The scholarship purposes to recognize students who desire to enter public or civil service, or the students are children of parents who have devoted their careers to the public sector. Bob and Carol Asbury have been long time members of the Radford community. Bob and Carol lived the large part of their adult lives in Radford supporting the City of Radford, Radford City Schools, and participating in civic and community activities. Bob served as a successful Radford City Manager from 1970 thru 2002. Carol taught in the Radford City Schools from 1979 thru 2011. Bob and Carol continue to live in Radford after their respective retirements from public service. The endowment was established by their son and daughter-in- law, John C. Asbury and Wendy Asbury. The recipient of the 2021 Asbury Public Service Scholarship in the amount of $2,000 is Kara Armentrout. Ms. Armentrout plans to attend Virginia Tech.
The estate of Julian “Doug” Croy established the Julian D. Croy II Memorial Scholarship in memory of Doug’s son, “Jay” Croy who passed in 2001 due to cancer. Jay was a happy young man who enjoyed life, family, fishing and cars. Jay played football while at Radford High School and enjoyed making his friends laugh. His working career was focused in instrumentation. The endowed scholarship purposes to award an annual scholarship to a deserving college bound student at Radford High School who desires to pursue a vocational/industrial/technical college education.
The first winner of the Julian D. Croy II Memorial Scholarship is RHS graduating senior John Hayes. Hayes plans to attend Virginia Tech.
Other Radford High School Foundation Academic Awards 2021:
Richard P. “Dick” Price Memorial Scholarship
Nell M. Price Memorial Scholarship
Mary S. Shelburne & Harvey D. Shelburne Memorial Scholarship
Roy & Mayme Epperly Scholarship, a 4 year scholarship 2020-2021 School Year winner
Brian T. Hannifan Memorial Scholarship
Lois Carr Education Scholarship
Sally Hendrix Memorial Scholarship
Sevareid Family Memorial Scholarship
Benny C Ridpath Memorial Scholarship
Nell Collins Hatcher Memorial Scholarship
Charles E. Fretwell Endowed Scholarship
Elizabeth & Melburn Williams Scholarship
Radford High School Foundation Senior Sports Awards 2021:
Dana Palmer Memorial Scholarship
4909 Basketball Honorarium Scholarship (a 2 year scholarship)
2020-2021 School Year
Allen “Big Al” Hall Memorial Scholarship
Currently serving as the Executive Committee are Chairman Abie Williams, Vice Chairman Chip Craig, Secretary Ruth Clark, and Treasurer Mandy Martin. Other board members include Dr. John Semones, former School Superintendent Dr. Michael Wright, Palma Clark, Bev Davis, Albert Mah, Jeff Caldwell, Nikki Cumberland, and Eli Mullins. School Administration representatives on the board are school Superintendent, Rob Graham, and RHS Principal, Jeff Smith. Foundation Advisory Board Members are Harrison Williams, and Whitney King Stokes.
Those wishing to donate to the Radford High School Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization may contact or make contributions to: Radford High School Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 2823 Radford, VA 24143.
Presenting the ceremonial check for recent scholarships are:
left -Harrison Williams, RHS Foundation Advisory Board Member and far right –Abie Williams, Chairman, Radford High School Foundation to local School officials center left-Jeff Smith, Principal Radford High School; center right-Rob Graham, Superintendent Radford City Schools.
Pictured left to right are award winners: Mandolyn Mullins and Sam Kennedy, winners of the Mary Ellen Moore and James M. Moore Scholarships; Kara Armentrout, first winner of the Robert P. Asbury and Carol C. Asbury Public Service Scholarship; and John Hayes, first winner of the Julian D. “Jay” Croy II Memorial Scholarship.
