Berryville, VA – May 18, 2026 — The Clarke County Education Foundation (CCEF) proudly awarded more than $55,200 in scholarships to Clarke County High School students during the school’s Senior Awards Night held on May 17, marking the largest amount of scholarship funding distributed in the organization’s history.
The evening celebrated student achievement, leadership, service, athletics, academics, and career aspirations through dozens of donor-funded scholarships established by individuals, families, businesses, and community organizations committed to supporting the future of Clarke County students.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the 2026 Rosemont Leadership Scholarship, a prestigious $10,000 award recognizing exceptional student leadership. The scholarship, made possible through the generosity of the Genda Family of Historic Rosemont Springs and proceeds from CCEF’s annual Denim & Diamonds Gala, was awarded to Joseph Stem.
Stem distinguished himself as a leader both in the classroom and throughout the community while maintaining a 4.214 GPA across seven semesters. A three-sport athlete, he earned numerous honors in football, swimming, and track and field while also serving as a DECA officer and participating in National Honor Society, Interact Club, and the Outdoors Club. He plans to pursue a degree in finance following graduation.
The Rosemont Leadership Scholarship finalists and runner-up recipients included Aden Rounds, Annaliese Pledgie, and Ciara Smith, who each received $1,000 scholarships in recognition of their outstanding leadership and contributions to Clarke County High School and the broader community.
Aden Rounds was recognized for his entrepreneurial spirit, leadership in DECA, and extensive community service work benefiting Paws of Honor, a nonprofit organization supporting retired police and military dogs. Annaliese Pledgie was honored for her leadership in the arts as Drum Major of the Clarke County Screaming Eagles Marching Band and President of National Honor Society, along with her dedication to community arts projects. Ciara Smith was celebrated for her creativity and student leadership through the International Thespian Society, school spirit initiatives, and co-founding the school’s Book Club.
Additional scholarship recipients recognized during the evening included:
Junior Class Awards:
Haley Foltz received both the Jimmy Racer Scholar-Athlete Scholarship and the Wilbur and Helen Feltner Athletic Scholarship (Female). Elijah Abdulbarr received the Wilbur and Helen Feltner Athletic Scholarship (Male).
Senior Class Awards:
Lily Anne Souers received both the Alice Loope Education Scholarship and the Andy Kiser Performing Arts Scholarship. Robyn Preston earned the Apple Federal Credit Union Foundation Scholarship, the Dorothy and Russell McWhinney Social Justice Scholarship, and the Shirley Elizabeth Bartlett Memorial Scholarship. Isabella Sage Martin received the Baiba Schletty Social Studies Scholarship. Eryn Demko received the Bonnie Ann Justice Memorial Scholarship, the Brent Emmart Memorial Scholarship, and the Virginia B. Lloyd Scholarship. Tabitha Waring also received a Bonnie Ann Justice Memorial Scholarship.
David Morris earned the CCHS Science and Engineering Scholarship. Dylan Parker received both the Chris Ball Scholar-Athlete Scholarship and the Renée F. Weir Business Scholarship. Aubrey Wagner received the Danielle N. Moyer/Kimberly J. Stutzman Scholarship as well as a Nancy Specht Cross Country and Track Scholarship. Joseph Stem also received the Denise Geiszler (Holman) Memorial Endowment Scholarship.
Annaliese Pledgie was additionally awarded the Dr. Joseph M. Casey Scholarship. Emma Johnson received both the Dr. Richard M. Lewis Academic Access Scholarship and the Mary P. Reynolds Memorial Scholarship. Elise Gay received the Eric Myer DVM & Martha Myer, RN Memorial Scholarship. Emma Underwood received the Eugene V. and Laura L. White Scholarship. Emily Vincent and Jonathan Hornbaker each received Gary & Joanne Hornbaker Scholarships, with Jonathan Hornbaker also earning a Nancy Specht Cross Country and Track Scholarship.
Evan Dyer received the Geneva Jackson Scholarship. Dylan Hoggatt earned the James and Marsha Kelly Scholarship. Karrigan Kirby received the John D. Hardesty Agriculture Scholarship. Brooke Choate was awarded the John F. Milleson Jr. Scholarship, and Jonathan Hernandez received the John R. Milleson Scholarship. Camden McCarty received the Jon VanSice Scholarship, while Hayden Roberts earned the Marty McMichael Memorial Scholarship. Madeline Koontz received the Mary Hardesty Nursing Scholarship and a Nancy Specht Cross Country and Track Scholarship.
Victoria Russell was awarded the Mitchell “Good Neighbor” Scholarship. Charlotte Lewandowski earned the Moe Murphy Journalism Scholarship. Ciara Smith also received the Nancy L. Friant Performing Arts Scholarship. Additional Nancy Specht Cross Country and Track Scholarships were awarded to Saniyah Caldwell and Warren Maiberger. Caleb Erickson received the Ray A. Gray Trades Scholarship. Emmalene Grace Morris earned the Rick and Susan Catlett Scholarship, and Milan Nassiri received the Thom Potts Memorial Scholarship.
“Our scholarship recipients represent the incredible talent, dedication, and promise found within Clarke County Public Schools,” said Beth Williams, Executive Director of the Clarke County Education Foundation. “This year’s class of recipients demonstrated excellence not only academically, but also through leadership, athletics, service, creativity, and perseverance. We are deeply grateful to our scholarship donors whose generosity continues to change lives and invest in the future of our students.”
CCEF also extended sincere appreciation to the volunteer judges who participated in the Rosemont Leadership Scholarship selection process, including Matthew Bass, Debbie Hardesty, Erecka Gibson, Johnnie Milleson, Marianne Schmidt, and Michael Wilson.
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.