The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

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  • These items, a cow bell that was used by class members when they were in high school, a signed poster that is a replica of the cover of their yearbook and a monogrammed maroon teddy bear made from auditorium stage curtains used at the old Woodrow Wilson High School (now Park Middle School), have special meaning to the members of the Class of 1963. Submitted photo

    BAF
February 17, 2013

Woodrow Class of ’63 starts BAF fund

2013 is not only West Virginia’s 150th-year celebration as a state, but also the Class of 1963’s 50th Reunion celebration.

The Woodrow Wilson Class of 1963 will mark this special milestone by creating a permanent endowment at the Beckley Area Foundation. Since 1993 they have raised funds each year to make a scholarship award to a Woodrow graduate with a B average who would not normally receive scholarship assistance.

Twenty students have received the WWHS Class of 1963 annual award. This has been possible due to donations from class members, auctions at their reunions and sales of memorabilia.

Recipients have used the WWHS Class of ’63 scholarship assistance to attend Concord University, WVU-Tech, Shepherd University, WVU, University of Kentucky and Marshall University.

Angie Cantley Culicerto, current Raleigh County Teacher of the Year, was the first to receive this scholarship award.  

The class would like for the award to be made in perpetuity, but there is concern regarding who would continue to raise the funds. The Reunion Committee decided that it is time to turn the endeavor over to BAF to ensure the continuation of this assistance to Woodrow Wilson High School students.

They are taking advantage of the Foundation’s “Building over Time” option, which allows individuals and organizations five years to reach the required minimum of $10,000 for a named fund. The WWHS Class of 1963 Scholarship Fund has been established with an initial donation of $4,000. Class members are confident that they will reach the required goal in less than five years.

As in the case of all BAF funds, donations will be invested and the income will be used for the scholarship award. This will ensure that a yearly scholarship can be presented in the name of the Class of ’63 for generations to come.

“The Woodrow Wilson High School Class of 1963 joins 11 other Woodrow classes, the WWHS Alumni Association and the WWHS faculty in creating their own scholarship endowments at BAF,” noted Sharon Lilly, Scholarship Program director. “They should take pride in the fact that they are both ‘paying back’ and ‘paying forward’ by assisting Woodrow graduates who wish to continue their education.”

The WWHS Class of 1963 Reunion is set for June 21-22 at the Beckley Moose Lodge.

Donations in any amount may be made at any time to this new scholarship fund. BAF is a 501-c-3, and all contributions are tax-deductible. Make checks payable to BAF-WWHS Class of ’63 Scholarship Fund and mail to Beckley Area Foundation, 129 Main St., Suite 203, Beckley, WV 25801.

The Badges for Charity program offered by The Greenbrier Classic can be used to direct funds to the scholarship. State tax credits provided by BAF through the Neighborhood Investment Program offer another opportunity. Gifts of stock and certain personal property are welcome. Contact the BAF office at 304-253-3806 or susan@ bafwv.org for more information.

 

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