Bolyard and Mullenax Awarded Fizer Scholarships
WVU freshmen Rebeccah Bolyard and Shawnna Mullenax have been awarded the Mildred Fizer Scholarship for 4-H’ers for the 2008-2009 academic year.
Bolyard and Mullenax were selected from a pool of nearly two dozen 4-H applicants from throughout the state.
Bolyard, an electrical engineering major, graduated from Preston High School .While a student at PHS, she participated in both the academic and vocational programs the school offered, excelling in advanced math and science classes and in electrical technology vocational classes. She is a licensed Journeyman electrician and is helping to fund her college education by working with a local electrical company. In addition to earning a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, she hopes to acquire a Master Electrician license.
Bolyard, from Fellowsville in Preston County, is the daughter of Mingo and Karen Bolyard. She has been a member of the Sandy Pals 4-H Club, holding several offices, including president. She has helped her club monitor acid mine drainage in local streams as part of the Save Our Streams program, and she assists with fund raising activities for her local volunteer fire department.
“4-H helped me give back to my community,” said Bolyard. “Being an active and good volunteer is important to me, and I have expanded my volunteering to include donating to local food drives and helping with a summer reading program.”
“I greatly appreciate receiving this scholarship award,” said Bolyard. “The Fizer Scholarship will help with the expenses I will have as a WVU student in Morgantown.”
Mullenax, an exercise physiology major, graduated from Tygarts Valley High School. While attending TVHS, she also participated in the Upward Bound Program at Davis & Elkins College, helping her to earn advanced college credits. After completing her bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology, she plans to earn a chiropractic degree. While in high school, she was a member of the varsity track team, was president of her class in grades 9-12, and was the recipient of a Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership award.
She hails from Huttonsville in Randolph County and is the daughter of Jon Mullenax and Regina and Jedson Liggett. She has been a 4-H’er since she was in the third grade and currently belongs to the Tygart Pioneer 4-H Club. She has been a teen leader and held several club offices, including president. She has participated in her club’s Adopt-A-Highway and fundraising activities.
“The West Virginia 4-H program has played a huge role in making me the confident and outgoing person I am today,” said Mullenax.
“I am honored to chosen as a recipient of the Mildlred Fizer scholarship,” said Mullenax. “Being awarded this scholarship places me another step closer to achieving my goals.
The Fizer scholarship, established by former West Virginia State 4-H Program Leader Mildred Fizer, the first female state 4-H leader in the history of the state and national 4-H programs, is awarded annually to a first-year freshman enrolled full-time in a four-year degree program at West Virginia University. The scholarship is a one-time award and is not renewable. Two scholarships are being awarded for the 2008-2009 academic year.