This year’s recipient of the first annual Bob Bishop Memorial Scholarship is Mount View senior Jasauni Sizemore of Kimball.
Jasauni plans to attend WVU in the fall to pursue a degree in nursing. He hopes to continue in the nursing field to eventually earn the degree of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.
Jasauni has devoted many hours during high school to community service. He has hosted numerous blood drives with the Red Cross, volunteered at the Golden Harvest long term facility at Welch Community Hospital and job shadowed in various areas at the hospital. He also cuts grass and runs errands for his elderly neighbors.
He said, “Performing these events in the community and around different places has helped me become a better person. I am blessed to be able to give help to people.”
“I am devoted to getting things done once I start them. I’ve learned that if you are able to help someone, even if it’s not your job, help them. Kindness goes a long way,” he added.
This scholarship will be awarded to a McDowell County senior each spring beginning with the class of 2020. The amount of the award may vary based on the funding. This year’s award is $500.
The scholarship is sponsored by Tammy Grubb, HSTA coordinator for McDowell County and Sherry Woolridge, a former student of Mr. Bishop and a teacher at Sandy River Middle School. Their goal was to create an award to honor the memory of a man who touched the lives of so many students, not only here, but statewide.
Robert “Bob” Bishop was an educator in McDowell County for over 30 years teaching at many secondary schools, but especially spending time at each high school. He also served as adjunct professor at West Virginia State University for 20 years and at Southern West Virginia Community & Technical College in Saulsville for 17 years. Bob was also affiliated with WVU through the HSTA program for 16 years, having the distinction as one of the original teachers statewide.
Bob loved teaching and learning and would have loved the idea of continuing to help a student further his/her education in some small way.
Anyone wishing to support this project can contact Sherry Woolridge at PO Box 181 in Pageton, WV 24871 or Tammy Grubb at 5 Baptist Dr. in Welch, WV 24801.