Dennis R. & Patricia R. Early Scholarship Awarded
Dennis and Patricia Early established this scholarship to support local students of Rockingham County high schools interested in studying in the fields of math or science, or in becoming a K-12 math or science teacher. Student career interests might include nursing, medicine, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, computer science and any other math or science based fields. The Earlys have dedicated their lives to education and to encouraging and supporting students in every way, and taught multiple generations of the same families. Patricia taught biology and chemistry and sponsored the yearbook and cheerleading. Dennis taught math and coached golf. They saw firsthand that many families lack resources and established this scholarship to help students reach their educational goals. This scholarship is intended to support qualified students who plan to attend Blue Ridge Community College, Bridgewater College, James Madison University, or
An eligible recipient must be a recent graduate of a Rockingham County high school and accepted at one of the above schools to obtain a Bachelor or Associate Degree with a math or science concentration. Although not required, preference will be given to students who plan to one day teach math or science. Preference also will be given to students from military families. This scholarship is to support the student for their two or four year education as long as the student is enrolled in said science or math program, is in good standing, and receives a 3.0 or better GPA while enrolled full-time. Student must submit a renewal application each year by the deadline. An eligible student must have demonstrated financial need.
The Selection Committee for the Dennis R. & Patricia R. Early Scholarship interviewed potential candidates and determined a recipient based on the following criteria:
1-Financial need
2-Strong academic performance
3-Character, as well as civic and community service.
The 2017 recipient of the Dennis R. & Patricia R. Early Scholarship is Addison Shenk, graduate of Spotswood High School. Addison will attend Eastern Mennonite University in the fall and plans to major in Biology or Pre-Professional Health Sciences.
