Berryville, VA – May 14, 2026 — The Clarke County Education Foundation (CCEF) is proud to announce the finalists for the 2026 Rosemont Leadership Scholarship, a prestigious $10,000 award recognizing exceptional student leadership at Clarke County High School. This scholarship is made possible through the generous support of the Genda Family of Historic Rosemont Springs and proceeds from CCEF’s Denim & Diamonds Gala.
Each year, Clarke County High School faculty and staff nominate outstanding seniors who demonstrate strong leadership, character, and a commitment to both their school and community. From this group, four finalists are selected to participate in a formal interview process with a panel of distinguished community leaders.
The 2026 Rosemont Leadership Scholarship finalists were interviewed on April 23 at Historic Rosemont. Following the interviews, one student will be selected as the scholarship recipient and announced during Clarke County High School’s Senior Night on May 17.
“Our Rosemont Leadership Scholarship finalists represent the very best of Clarke County,” said Beth Williams, Executive Director of the Clarke County Education Foundation. “We are incredibly proud of these students and grateful to our judges who volunteer their time and expertise to thoughtfully select a recipient. This scholarship is about more than achievement. It is about recognizing young leaders who are already making an impact and will continue to do so in the future.”
The Clarke County Education Foundation is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting, expanding, and enhancing educational opportunities for students and staff in Clarke County Public Schools. Since 1991, CCEF has invested more than $3.9 million in local education through scholarships, classroom grants, innovative programs, student support initiatives, and partnerships that benefit every school across the division.
Meet the Finalists
Aden Shaffer Rounds
Aden Shaffer Rounds is an IB Diploma Candidate at Clarke County High School. He serves as president of the CCHS DECA chapter, was an executive officer his junior year, and has been an active member since 2022. Aden is a member of both the National Honor Society and Rotary’s Interact Club.
Having grown up in Clarke County, giving back to his hometown has always been important to Aden. In 2020, he and his brother adopted a nearly four-mile section of highway through VDOT, where they regularly collect litter and transport it to the landfill to help keep debris out of local waterways.
One of Aden’s most meaningful service projects has been his work with the nonprofit organization Paws of Honor. Since 2022, he has volunteered at events to help spread awareness of the organization’s mission of providing medical care for retired police and military dogs. He has also designed, built, and donated two sets of custom cornhole boards for their annual golf tournament raffle. As part of his IB Diploma Project, Aden co-led a fundraiser for Paws of Honor that raised more than $2,300 while further increasing awareness for the cause.
In 2023, Aden launched Blue Ridge Cornhole as an entrepreneurial venture creating custom cornhole boards. He manages all aspects of the business, including marketing, customer service, accounting, and production.
Outside of school and community service, Aden enjoys playing tennis for CCHS, skateboarding, golfing, and producing and DJing his own dance music. He has released three songs on streaming platforms and is currently collaborating with a record label on a new production.
This fall, Aden will attend William & Mary where he plans to major in finance, play tennis, participate in ROTC, and study abroad.
Annaliese Pledgie
Annaliese Pledgie is a senior at Clarke County High School where she serves as President of the National Honor Society and Drum Major of the Clarke County Screaming Eagles Marching Band.
Through her six-year participation with the Clarke County Indoor Color Guard, including five years performing alongside the marching band, Annaliese has developed a deep appreciation for the arts and performance. In February 2026, she was recognized as a Student of the Month by the local Rotary Club.
As an active member of the Clarke County community, Annaliese organized an art drive in spring 2025 that collected more than $500 in supplies for the Johnson-Williams Middle School art program. That same year, she also created and repaired murals at both DG Cooley Elementary School and Johnson-Williams Middle School.
Beyond high school, Annaliese plans to continue pursuing her passion for music and performance as a member of the Aggie Band at Utah State University while earning a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry with a minor in pre-veterinary medicine. She hopes to one day open a community-centered veterinary practice.
Joseph Stem
Joseph Stem is a senior at Clarke County High School and a well-rounded student-athlete who has distinguished himself as a leader both in the classroom and throughout the community. Maintaining a 4.214 GPA across seven semesters, Joseph is recognized by teachers and coaches alike for his strong work ethic, leadership, and dedication.
Joseph competed in three sports during high school, with football being his most decorated. Throughout his athletic career, he earned numerous honors including the Leadership Award, Platinum Eagle Award, and multiple All-District, All-Region, and All-Area recognitions. He also competed at the regional level in swimming and advanced to both regional and state competitions in track and field, where he earned the Most Improved Award in swimming.
In addition to athletics, Joseph has been actively involved in student organizations and leadership activities at Clarke County High School. He serves as a DECA officer, participates in the Outdoors Club and Interact Club, and is a member of the National Honor Society.
Joseph is equally committed to serving his community through organizations such as the Ruritan Club and through his work as a park attendant at Chet Hobert Park. He is also a parishioner of St. Bridget of Ireland Catholic Parish.
Following graduation, Joseph plans to pursue a degree in finance and is currently deciding between attending Virginia Tech and James Madison University.
Ciara Smith
Ciara Smith is a student leader who enjoys reading, acting, and promoting school spirit throughout the Clarke County High School community. She is honored to have been nominated by her teachers for the Rosemont Leadership Scholarship.
Last academic year, Ciara co-founded a Book Club at Clarke County High School to help foster a shared love of reading and learning among her peers. She also serves as the social media manager for the school’s chapter of the International Thespian Society, a role that allows her to collaborate with fellow actors, communicate creatively, and develop engaging content for the group.
As secretary for the Class of 2026, Ciara has been actively involved in homecoming week and other school spirit activities since her freshman year. Her leadership, creativity, and enthusiasm have helped strengthen student engagement and school culture.
This fall, Ciara will attend University of Virginia where she plans to double major in English and Art History while pursuing a future career in journalism. She is grateful to the teachers and directors who have encouraged her growth and provided opportunities for her to lead within her community.
Meet the Judges
Matthew Bass is the elected Commonwealth’s Attorney for Clarke County. Prior to assuming the role in November 2024, he was in private practice locally for over a decade, specializing in criminal defense and civil personal injury litigation. He previously served as the elected Berryville representative on the Clarke County Board of Supervisors and has been involved in numerous public service roles throughout the County for years. Matt is a native of Clarke County, graduate of CCPS, and lives in Berryville with his wife, Kelbi, and their two children.
Debbie Hardesty is the owner of Harvue Farms and a dedicated leader in the local agricultural and school communities. She serves as President of the Eagles Athletic Association and is actively involved in youth development through the Clarke-Frederick Dairy Club. Her commitment to supporting students—both in and out of the classroom—reflects her deep investment in the future of Clarke County.
Erecka Gibson, a licensed Certified Public Accountant, is the Director of Treasury and Risk Management Accounting at The George Washington University. A resident of Berryville, Virginia, Erecka has served on the Berryville Town Council since 2016 and
currently serves as the Vice Mayor. Erecka also serves on the Board of Loudoun Mutual Insurance Company. Erecka is invested in her community and is honored to give back with her time and expertise.
John Milleson is a highly respected banking executive and longtime community leader with deep roots in Clarke County. He served for more than two decades as President and Chief Executive Officer of Bank of Clarke, helping guide the institution through significant growth while maintaining its strong commitment to community banking. Now retired from day-to-day operations, John continues to serve on the bank’s Board of Directors, offering valuable insight and leadership shaped by his decades of experience.
Marianne Schmidt serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Bank of Clarke and as Executive Director of the Bank of Clarke Foundation. She is a dynamic leader with a passion for community engagement and philanthropy, helping connect resources and opportunities that strengthen the region.
Michael Wilson is a member of the Clarke County Public Schools School Board and a professional blacksmith. Through his service, he plays an active role in shaping educational opportunities for students across the division. His hands-on approach and dedication to student success bring a thoughtful and grounded perspective to the judging process.
Diane Shipe is a retired professor of Health Policy and Administration and has been a Clarke County resident for over two decades. Now a “professional volunteer,” she serves on the Board of Directors for Our Health in Winchester and performs with the Clarke County Community Band. Diane brings a lifelong commitment to education and civic engagement to her role as a scholarship judge.
