Pictured from left to right: Ray Scites, TVMI Treasurer; Courtney Blackburn, Belfry; Aimee Williamson, Belfry; Sara Mullins, Belfry; Alexandria Workman, Belfry; Amber Hopkins, Tug Valley; Dr. Stephen J. Kopp, Marshall University President; and Andy Ashurst, TVMI President (not pictured, Logan Bartley, Pike Central High)
At the May 26, 2011, Tug Valley Mining Institute (TVMI) dinner meeting, the six 2011 scholarship recipients were named. The two top $6,000 scholarship awards went to Aimee Williamson, Belfry High School and Alexandria Workman, Belfry High School. Four $750 scholarship awards went to Logan Bartley, Pike Central High School; Courtney Blackburn, Belfry High School; Amber Hopkins, Tug Valley High School; and Sara Mullins, Belfry High School.
The guest speaker was Dr. Stephen J. Kopp, President of Marshall University, and he provided an inspirational speech directed toward the scholars regarding the educational journey they are starting. He encouraged the scholars to invest in themselves now with education so that they could be the leaders and decision makers of tomorrow. Hi-Tech Construction sponsored the meeting and has been a long time supporter of the scholarship program.
Over the last fifteen years, TVMI has awarded 90 (ninety) students $198,250 in scholarship monies. The TVMI scholarship is open to students from Mingo, Logan, Wayne, Pike, and Martin counties. The applications are available in November of each year and may be obtained from Marsha Williams at the First National Bank of Williamson or from the TVMI website (www.tugvalleymi.org).