Academic Scholarships

Culpeper SWCD Academic Scholarships

Each year, the Culpeper Soil and Water Conservation District awards up to $10,000 in educational scholarships to students who plan to pursue a career in a conservation-related field. These scholarships are available to eligible students living in the five-county area the Culpeper SWCD serves — Culpeper, Greene, Madison, Orange and Rappahannock.

Individuals should apply who are full time students enrolled in, or who have applied to, a college undergraduate or graduate program in an area that supports soil and water conservation, natural resource management, environmental science or a related field.

In awarding scholarships priority will be given to graduating high school seniors, but current undergraduate and graduate students will also be considered. Consideration will be given primarily to achievement and demonstrated interest in natural resources.

The deadline for 2025 application will be online after January 1, 2025. Click here for an application. Local applications are accepted but students must include the required essay.

2024 Scholarship Recipients

  • Caitlyn Chaney graduated from Liberty High School and is a Culpeper resident. She will attend Bluefield College, where she will major in Biology and Environmental Science ($2,000 award).
  • Olivia Devening graduated from Highland School and is a Rappahannock resident. She will attend the University of Vermont, where she will major in Environmental Science ($2,000
    award).
  • Kayleigh Dugger graduated from Culpeper County High School. She is a current undergraduate student at Western Carolina University, where her major is Geology ($2,000 award).
  • Ava Hettinger graduated from Madison County High School. She will attend Virginia Tech, where she will major in Agribusiness ($2,000 award).
  • Joshua James Lamb graduated from Madison County High School. He will attend the Virginia Tech, where he will major in Agriculture Technology ($2,000 award).

2023 Scholarship Recipients

  • Madisyn Jean Corron graduated from Eastern View High School. She attends the University of Mary Washington, where her is major Agriculture ($2,000 award).
  • Abby Lynn Johnson graduated from Madison County High School. She attends Virginia Tech, where her major is Agribusiness ($2,000 award).
  • Lindsey Breeden graduated from Orange County High School. She attends George Mason University, where her major is Environmental Science ($2,000 award).
  • Bryant Chiles graduated from Orange County High School. He attends Christopher Newport University, where his major is Environmental Science ($2,000 award).
  • Blane Jennings graduated from Orange County High School. He attends Germanna Community College, where his major is Environmental Science ($2,000 award).

2022 Scholarship Recipients

  • Isabella Dean graduated from Madison County High School. She is attending North Carolina State University, where she will major in Agriculture Extension and Education ($2,000 award).
  • Elizabeth Blakey Bates graduated from Eastern View High School. She is attending Virginia Tech, where she will major in Agribusiness ($1,000 award).
  • Elizabeth Marie Dareing graduated from Rappahannock County High School. She is attending Sweet Briar College, where she will major in Environmental Science ($1,000 award)
  • Megan Mallory graduated from Madison County High School. She is attending Virginia Tech, where she will major in Agriculture ($1,000 award).
  • Kris Patel graduated from Eastern View High School. He is attending the University of Virginia, where he will major in Conservation Biology and Computer Science ($1,000 award).

2021 Scholarship Recipients

  • Rachel Weghorst graduated from Rappahannock County High School in May 2021. She will study Environmental Science at the University of Virginia. ($2,000 award)
  • Katelyn Woolfrey graduated from Orange County High School in May 2021. She will study Biology at the University of Virginia. ($2,000 award)

2020 Scholarship Recipients

  • Cassandra Patton graduated from Culpeper County High School. She is attending Virginia Tech, where she is majoring in Horticulture. ($2,000 award)
  • Alexandra Ramey graduated from Eastern View High School and Roanoke College. She is attending graduate school at Arizona State University where she will major in Global Sustainability. ($2,000 award)

2019 Scholarship Recipients

  • Cassandra Patton graduated from Culpeper County High School with a 3.812 GPA. She will attend Virginia Tech in the fall, where she will major in Agriculture Education. ($2,000 award)
  • Carter Lamm graduated from William Monroe High School with a 3.88 GPA. He will major in Natural Resource Conservation at Virginia Tech. ($1,000 award)
  • Gene Flecker graduated from Orange County High School with a 4.3103 GPA. He will major in Sustainable Civil Engineering at Virginia Tech. ($1,000 award)
  • Lesley Morales-Sanchez graduated from Orange County High School with a 3.9 GPA. She will major in Biology at University of Mary Washington. ($1,000 award)

2018 Scholarship Recipients

  • Caragh Heverly graduated from Rappahannock County High School with a 4.1968 GPA. She will attend Duke University in the fall, where she will major in environmental science and policy. ($1,500 award)
  • Liam Godbold graduated from Holy Trinity Home School with a 4.0 GPA. He will major in biotechnology at James Madison University. ($1,500 award)
  • Robert Keast is an Eastern View High School alum. He was a member of the school’s Environ team. He graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a degree in environmental science. He will attend graduate school at The Ohio State University, where he will major in Landscape Architecture and Horticulture . ($1,500 award)
2017 Scholarship Recipients
  • William Clark graduated from Culpeper County High School with a 3.5 GPA. He attended North Greenville University. ($1,500 award)
  • Valerie Wessel studying wildlife conservation at Virginia Tech. ($1,000 award) She is a 2016 alumna of William Monroe High School.
  • Noel Boyle graduated from Orange County High School with a 4.387 GPA. He is majoring in sustainable energy engineering at Virginia Tech. ($1,000 award)
  • Emily Way graduated from Rappahannock County High School with a 3.9 GPA. She is majoring in environmental studies at California University of Pennsylvania. ($500 award)
  • Hlitshab “Josey” Txakeeyang graduated from Eastern View High School with a 3.6 GPA. She is majoring in environmental engineering at James Madison University ($500 award)

2016 Scholarship Recipients

  • Tess Reeves graduated from Orange County High School with a 4.23 GPA. She attends Virginia Tech. Her major is landscape architecture and horticulture. ($1,500 award)
  • Valerie Wessel graduated from William Monroe High School with a 4.231 GPA. She is majoring in wildlife conservation at Virginia Tech. ($1,000 award)
  • Carolina Leonard graduated from Wakefield Country Day School with a 3.93 GPA. She is majoring in environmental science at the University of Virginia. ($1,000 award)
  • Kelly Jarvis graduated from Madison County High School with a 4.0 GPA. She is majoring in biology at the University of North Carolina at Asheville. ($1,000 award)
  • Zachary Dove graduated from Madison County High School with a 3.994 GPA. He is majoring in agriculture at Piedmont Virginia Community College. ($500 award)

2015 Scholarship Recipients

Courtney Dalimonte graduated from Eastern View High School with a 3.95 GPA. She attends Virginia Tech, where her major is biological systems engineering. While attending EVHS Courtney was involved in Envirothon, softball and volleyball.

Anthony Houchens graduated from William Monroe High School with a 3.154 GPA. Anthony’s major is agricultural technology at Virginia Tech.

Cole Reeves graduated from Orange County High School with a 4.14 GPA. He is majoring in fisheries science at Virginia Tech. While attending OCHS, Cole regularly monitored the lakes and streams at James Madison’s Montpelier.

Rebekah Broyles graduated from Madison County High School with a 4.33 GPA. She is majoring in biological systems engineering at Virginia Tech. While attending MCHS, she was active in the 4-H Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program.

2014 Scholarship Recipients

Charles “Ben” Estes graduated from Rappahannock County High School with a 3.76 GPA. He attends Virginia Military Institute where his major is environmental engineering. While attending RCHS, Ben was active in RappFLOW and 4-H.

Alexandra Ramey is a junior at Roanoke College where she is majoring in environmental science. Alex is active with Earthbound and presented research on air pollution in Appalachia at a professional conference.

Courtney Pooton graduated from Madison County High School with a 4.11 GPA. She attends Virginia Tech, where her major is agriculture. While attending MCHS, Courtney was active in 4-H, Young Farmers and Honor Society.

Kimberly Pankow graduated from Wakefield Country Day School with a 3.7 GPA. She attends Virginia Tech, where her major is natural resources. While attending Wakefield, she was active in Envirothon, volleyball and Key Club.

2013 Scholarship Recipients

Gates Bierhuizen received $1,000 to attend Virginia Commonwealth University, where his major is environmental engineering. While attending Eastern View High School, Gates was active in Envirothon, 4-H and the Robotics Club.

Megan Flansburg received $1,000 to continue her studies at The College of William and Mary, where she is majoring in Environmental science and geology. While at William & Mary, Megan has worked for two professors in her department and volunteered with a “geology on wheels” outreach program with local elementary schools in the Williamsburg area.

Garret Chambers received $500 to attend Virginia Tech, where his major is agribusiness. While attending Orange County High School, Garret was active in 4-H and volunteered at the local food pantry.

Lauren Finks received $500 to attend the University of Virginia, where her major is environmental science. While attending Madison County High School, Lauren was active in 4-H and cross country.

2012 Scholarship Recipients

Brooke Baugher received $1,000 to attend Virginia Tech, where her major is biological systems engineering. While attending William Monroe Middle School, Brooke was involved with the Pony Club, National Honor Society and Student Council. Through Governor’s School she was an intern with CSWCD’s Orange office.

Emily Dyer received $1,000 to attend Virginia Tech, where her major is animal science. While attending Madison County High School, Emily was involved in livestock judging, pig breeding and shadowing the local large animal vet.

 Alexandra Ramey received $1,000 to attend Roanoke College, where her major is environmental science. While attending Eastern View High School, Alex was involved in Envirothon, drama and cross country. Alex also worked part-time as a stream monitor for CSWCD.

2011 Scholarship Recipients

Coty Goodwin (Orange County High School) received $1,000 to attend Virginia Tech, where his major is biological systems engineering.

Christine Pankow (Wakefield Country Day School) received $1,000 to attend Virginia Tech, where her major is natural resource management.

Megan Flansburg (William Monroe High School) received $500 to attend The College of William and Mary, where her major is geology.

Kyle Dingus (Culpeper County High School) received $500 to attend graduate school at Virginia Tech, where his major is forestry.

2010 Scholarship Recipients

Taryn Bierhuizen (Eastern View High School) received $1,000 to attend the University of Virginia, where she majored in biology.

Bonnie Hansen (Eastern View High School) received $500 to attend Brigham Young University, where she majored in forestry.

Austin Burdick (Homeschooled student) received $500 to attend the University of Virginia, where he majored in chemistry.

Laura Beth Bennett received $500 to complete her undergraduate degree at Virginia Tech, where she majored in agriculture.

Kimberly Evans attended $500 to attend Virginia Tech, where she majored in animal and poultry sciences.

2009 Scholarship Recipients

Bailey Bierhuizen received $1,000 to attend Virginia Commonwealth University, where she majored in biology.

Kimberly Finks (Madison County High School) received $1,000 to attend Virginia Tech, where she majored in animal and poultry sciences.

 Jacob Gilley (Madison County High School) received $500 to attend graduate school at Virginia Tech, where he majored in Agricultural and Extension Education.

2008 Scholarship Recipients

Kyle Dingus (Culpeper County High School) received $1,000 to attend Virginia Tech, where he majored in recreation management.

Mallie Toth received $500 to continue her studies at the University of Virginia, where she majored in environmental science.

Amanda Weakley received $500 to continue her studies at Virginia Tech, where she majored in animal and poultry sciences.

2007 Scholarship Recipients

Anna A. Oehser received $1,000 to attend Alleghany College in PA, where her major was environmental science.

Allison J. Spivey received $1,000 to attend Virginia Tech, where she majored in animal and poultry science.

2006 Scholarship Recipients

Wesley Gilmore Roberts received $500 to attend Piedmont Virginia Community College, where his majored in dairy science.

Katherine Elizabeth Wooten received $500 to attend Virginia Tech, where she majored in environmental science.

Sarah Elizabeth Weaver received $500 to attend Virginia Tech, where she majored in animal and poultry science.

Anne-Ashleigh Paige Lamma received $500 to attend Christopher Newport University, where she majored in biology.

2005 Scholarship Recipients

Emma Leigh Clarkson received $1,000 to attend the University of Mary Washington, where she majored in biology.

Lindsay Michelle Williamson received $500 to attend Virginia Tech, where she majored in animal science.

Sarah Ann Burleson received $500 to attend Virginia Tech, where she majored in biological systems engineering.

Jacob Alexander Gilley received $500 to attend Virginia Tech, where he majored in animal and poultry science.