Scholarships

Scholarship Program for Hanover County Students

The Ashland Strawberry Faire continues to offer the Hanover County Scholarship Program to 10 Hanover County students. Nine of the scholarships are given in memory of three of the founding members of the Faire.

Our Scholarship/Sponsors Thank You Event is Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at 5:30pm at the Hanover Arts & Activities Center (500 South Center Street, Ashland).

Donate to our Scholarship Program

About Our Scholarships

The first is given in memory of Dick Gillis to a student at Randolph-Macon College majoring in political science. Dick attended R-MC and served as Ashland’s mayor for 20 years. While he was mayor he initiated Ashland’s title as the “center of the universe.”

Four scholarships are given in memory of Tafi Yourtee, one to each of the county’s high schools to a student planning to major in one of the performing arts. After moving from New York, where Tafi performed on Broadway, she continued her acting career in local theater groups.

Another four scholarships are given in memory of Jay Pace, one to each of the county’s high schools to a student planning to major in journalism. Jay was editor/publisher of the Hanover Herald-Progress that received many awards during his tenure.

The 10^th scholarship is in memory of Norman Bugge and awarded to a student attending Hanover Center for Trades and Technology. Norm worked for the telephone company that is now known as Verizon. In his spare time as a volunteer he was instrumental in getting the Faire’s stage built and the electrical panel wired among many other things.

All Hanover County Scholarship Program recipients are selected by the individual schools. If you are interested in pursuing one of these scholarships, please contact your school’s main office or guidance counselor for more information.

2024 Scholarship Winners with Mark Halstead of Village Bank

2024 Scholarship Winners

Atlee High School:

Jay Pace Scholarship – Chance Evans
Tafi Yourtee Scholarship – Abigail Lee

Hanover High School:

Jay Pace Scholarship – Alyssa “Morgan” Kinney
Tafi Yourtee Scholarship – Neenah Lowe

Mechanicsville High School:

Jay Pace Scholarship – Devon Wagner
Tafi Yourtee Scholarship – Tyler Adams

Patrick Henry High School:

Jay Pace Scholarship – Bradon Estes
Tafi Yourtee Scholarship – Carlyn Weinstein

The Hanover Center for Trades & Technology:

Norman Bugge Scholarship – Maddox Bowles

Randolph-Macon College:

Dick Gillis Scholarship – Ren Hinchey

Scholarship Process

Early each year, the scholarship committee contacts career counselors at each school stating the amount and criteria of the Hanover County scholarship program. The scholarship committee also contacts the principal at the Hanover Center for Trades and Technology.

How is the Funding Dispersed?

In April each year, the scholarship committee takes one check to the Hanover County School Board for the nine scholarships given to Hanover County public high school students. The School Board then disperses the money to the individual schools. The schools forward the money directly to the chosen college (or technical school) of the recipient, thereby removing the family from the middle and confirming that the money is used as intended.

How are the Scholarships Awarded?

Applications for the scholarships are submitted to each school’s counseling department, and each school chooses the recipients. A member of the scholarship committee attends each school’s Senior Awards Ceremony and presents a certificate from the school that shows what they have received.

How is the Randolph-Macon Scholarship Handled?

The check is taken directly to the College Advancement Department, with a letter explaining the amount and criteria of the scholarship. The college chooses the recipient, whom they think is qualified.