OVB Recognizes Scholarship Winners

OVB Recognizes Scholarship Winners

GALLIPOLIS, Ohio – Ohio Valley Bank is recognizing the recipients of their annual scholarship program. Normally this is done through a banquet, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, that was not possible.

Typically, new and current scholars are presented checks during their county’s respective fairs, and 2020 scholars also are featured with a cut-out display in the activity buildings. Not one to part with tradition, Ohio Valley Bank 2020 scholars will still be showcased with their own cut-out display, but this year the scholars can go see at their local OVB branch.

“This is the time of year we traditionally look forward to fair season. At Ohio Valley Bank that’s an especially important time of the year. Our county fairs provide the venue where we enjoy the time-honored tradition of recognizing our 4-H scholars. A program started by the late Chairman Jim Dailey and nurtured into prominence by former Chairman Jeff Smith,” Tom Wiseman, OVB Chief Executive Officer, said. “Unfortunately, many of our county fairs have fallen victim to the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting this great tradition. While this disruption may create an inconvenience, it certainly doesn’t lessen the accomplishments of the 2020 scholars. We will join their families, friends, and 4-H advisors to honor them from afar and pledge our support as they meet the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Congratulations to all of our 4-H scholars. We are extremely proud of you.”

In addition to showcasing 2020 scholars at their local branches, OVB is once again congratulating the bank’s current scholars from the classes of 2019, 2018 and 2017. These excellent student leaders not only kept up their work ethic in the classroom as usual, but they also finished their last semester during challenging times, which saw many colleges switch to online and distance learning.

In Meigs County, 2020 winner Austin Rose, is the newest scholar to the OVB 4-H family. Rose is the son of Brent Rose and Chasity Roush. He is a graduate of Southern High School and plans to attend Hocking College this fall to study heavy equipment operations. Rose received the first $750 check of the four-year scholarship. Don’t miss a chance to see Rose’s cut-out display at OVB’s Bend Area office, located in Mason, W.Va.

Meigs County 2019 scholar, Ciera Older, received her second scholarship check. Older attends Ohio Valley University. Rachel Kesterson is the Meigs 2018 recipient. Kesterson, who attends Wilmington College, received her third scholarship check. Laura Pullins, 2017 Meigs County OVB 4-H Scholar, received her fourth and final $750 check, for a total of $3,000. Pullins attends Marietta College.

Olivia Harrison is Gallia’s 2020 scholarship winner. She is the daughter of Trent and Leda Harrison and a recent graduate of South Gallia High School. She received the first installment of her $3,000 scholarship and plans to attend Marshall University to study nursing. Visit Harrison’s cut-out display at OVB’s Jackson Pike office. OVB’s 2019 Gallia scholar, Josie Jones, received the second check of her four-year scholarship. Jones attends Marshall University. Grace Martin, 2018 scholar, received her third $750 check. Martin is a student at West Virginia State University. Jordan Johnson, 2017 Gallia Scholar, received his fourth and final check of the scholarship program. Johnson attends the University of Rio Grande.

Mason County’s newest scholar, Josie Hill, received her first $750 check of the OVB 4-H Scholarship. Hill is the daughter of Patrick and Tina. She graduated from Point Pleasant High School and plans to attend Glenville State College to study secondary mathematics education. You can check out Hill’s cut-out display at the OVB Point Pleasant office. Sarah Deem, 2019 Mason County scholar, received the second installment of her scholarship check. Deem currently attends West Virginia University. Mason County’s 2018 recipient, Kate Henderson, received her third $750 check. She currently attends West Virginia University. Karlee Edmonds, Mason County 2017 scholar, received her fourth and final check of the $3,000 scholarship. Edmonds attends Fairmont State University.

OVB’s newest Cabell County scholar, Brittany Sowards, accepted her first $750 check of the $3,000 scholarship this year. She is the daughter of Charles and Trilla Sowards. She is a graduate of Cabell Midland High School and plans to attend Mountwest Community and Technical College this fall, where she will study to become a veterinary technician. Check out Sowards cut-out display at the OVB Barboursville Office. Our 2019 scholar, Morgan Christian, received her second $750 check. She attends West Virginia University. Megan Adkins, 2018 Cabell County scholar, received her third scholarship check. Adkins attends Marshall University.

Abby Meldick, daughter of Shane and Melody, received her first $750 scholarship check. Meldick graduated from Oak Hill High School this spring. She plans to attend the University of Rio Grande this fall to study elementary education. Make sure to go see Meldick’s cut-out display at the OVB Jackson Office. OVB 2019 Jackson scholar, Annalee Warrens, received her second installment of the four-year scholarship. Warrens attends Ohio State University. Kira Mullins, 2018 Jackson scholar, received her third scholarship check. Mullins currently attends Ohio Northern University. Zayne Warrens received his fourth and final check of the $3,000 scholarship. He attends Wright State University.

Pike County’s 2020 scholar, Joshua Amato, received his first $750 check of the four-year scholarship. Amato is the son of Josh and Chrystal. He graduated from Piketon High School and plans to attend Shawnee State University this fall, where he will study electromechanical engineering. You can see Amato’s cut-out display at the OVB Waverly office. Receiving her second check of the four-year scholarship is Layne Moorman. She currently attends Ohio University. OVB 2018 Pike Scholar, Kalesie Henderson, received her third installment of the scholarship check. Henderson attends Shawnee State University. Madison Conley, Pike County’s 2017 recipient, received her fourth and final $750 check of the scholarship program. Conley currently attends Ohio University.

If you miss a chance to see your county’s scholar cut-out at their local branch, both Pike and Meigs County will feature the OVB display the week of their respective fairs in the activity buildings. At this time, Jackson, Pike, Gallia, and Meigs scholars will be recognized in a brief ceremony during their fair week. For more information on these ceremonies, contact your local extension or fair board.