FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 17, 2008

For more information:
Bob Edwards
Public Relations Department Assistant
Glenville State College
Glenville, West Virginia
(304) 462-7361x7610

Glenville, WV—Glenville State College President Dr. Peter Barr and his wife Betsy visited the Barbour County Board of Education meeting on Monday, March 10th to promote the GSC Hidden Promise Scholars Program. Barr has been visiting each of the thirteen Counties participating in the Hidden Promise Scholars initiative.

Barr hosted a reception for the Barbour County students who have been selected to participate in the Hidden Promise Scholars Program. The students and their parents heard an explanation of the program, took part in a question and answer session, received GSC ID cards and t-shirts, and enjoyed refreshments. President Barr also addressed the regular meeting of the Barbour County Board of Education.

Barbour County students who have been selected as GSC Hidden Promise Scholars are: seniors Heather Metzgar, Toni Merino, Zachary Heritage, Rebecca Donegia, Kayla Booth, and Timothy Spotloe, juniors John King, Leah Jefferson, Sarah Foster, Shane Delong, Brandon Delaney, and Amy Barb, sophomores Cody Swick, Chelsey Ray, William Desantis, Jason Criss, Norah Beavers, and Heaven Stralin, freshmen John Audia, Emily Cottrell, Johnny Raines, Cody Robinson, Shane Wagner, and Allison Hull, and eighth graders Lauren Hawkins, Tiffany McCumbers, Anick Kennedy, and James Branka.

The Hidden Promise Scholars Program is an agreement between thirteen central West Virginia counties and Glenville State College to improve communications between higher education and K-12, increase ACT scores and increase the number of college graduates. Each county school system selects five students in grades 8 through 12 to participate in the program. Glenville State College will provide academic support including summer camps, electronic tutoring, and mentors to work with the Hidden Promise Scholars. Barr told the students, “Our goal is to give each of you all the tools and opportunities we can to help you become successful college students.” Any of the selected students who enroll at GSC will receive a $1,000 scholarship, which is renewable each year.

Currently, there are thirteen Hidden Promise Scholars attending GSC including Josey Zelinsky of Barbour County. Seventy-five seniors from the participating counties will be eligible to receive Hidden Promise Scholar Scholarships if they enroll at GSC next fall.