2022-2023 Price-Deverick Teacher Scholarship Application now open!

The Watauga Education Foundation, in close partnership with Blue Ridge Energy, is now accepting applications for the 2022-2023 Price-Deverick Teacher Scholarship.

Recognizing the importance of professional growth, allocations have been awarded annually by Blue Ridge Energy since 1993 to local educators to promote the development of strategies and skills to turn into classroom results. The Watauga Education Foundation joined the initiative in 1997 as a part of their work to raise and distribute funds to local students and teachers.

“The Watauga Education Foundation is grateful for our partnership with local businesses, like Blue Ridge Energy” said Erika Hudspeth, President of the Watauga Education Foundation.  “Together, we are supporting teachers as they seek to continue their own learning and improve the quality of their teaching.”

The Price-Deverick Teacher Scholarship was developed in honor of the late Barbara Deverick and Gwyn B. Price, former Blue Ridge Energy Membership Corporation leaders and champions of education.

“We are proud to continue our commitment to education by awarding the Price-Deverick Scholarship to a local educator in Watauga County and honoring former Blue Ridge Energy leaders Barbara Deverick and Gwyn B. Price” said Tasha Rountree, Director of Community Relations for Blue Ridge Energy.

Since the 1987 inception, the Watauga Education Foundation has raised and distributed more than $1 million for students and teachers, with over $60,000 specifically dedicated to Price-Deverick Scholarship Grant Recipients.

Submissions will be accepted through April 1st, 2022, and those interested can access the Price-Deverick Scholarship Application here.

2019 Watauga Education Foundation president, Dr Don Presnell and board member, Wendy Jessen flank Stephanie Ballance, Genal West and Donna Raichle at the Price-Deverick Scholarship for Teachers presentation during the April 2019 Board of Education Meeting.

2021 Scholarship Recipients include:

Genal West, Watauga High School
Denise Presnell, Hardin Park School
Sandra Ruppert, Green Valley School

The Watauga Education Foundation is a local non-profit comprised of a hard-working volunteer board with passion for supporting educators who foster a love of learning and sponsor community-oriented events that sustain students’ wonder, enthusiasm, and perseverance.  Those interested in supported the WEF mission are encouraged to contact President Erika Hudspeth at Watauga Education Foundation wef@wataugaschools.org.

2021 Classroom Grant Recipient: Sarah Miller and Zack Walker of Watauga High School

Sarah Miller and Zach Walker for “Tags for Togs,” to implement a professional-grade costume inventory system that will allow the Watauga High School Theater Department to plan more efficiently for production purchases, develop a costume rental system that can help generate income for their program, and teach students 21st century skills that they can use well beyond graduation.