The board of directors of the Lt. James W. Hotsinpiller, Jr. and Deputy United States Marshal Derek W. Hotsinpiller Scholarship fund has awarded four new scholarships.  This brings the total scholarships being funded for the fall semester of 2017 to sixteen (16).  Students are given the opportunity to reapply each semester for their four years of undergraduate studies making the value of each scholarship $4000. Since its inception the Board has awarded a total of thirty-one (31) scholarships.

 

Jim was a member of the Bridgeport Police Department at the time of his passing. Derek followed in his father’s footsteps into law enforcement and became a Deputy United States Marshal. He was mortally wounded while attempting to serve an arrest warrant.

 

Deputy United States Marshal Dustin Hotsinpiller, Jim’s oldest son and Derek’s brother is the President of the Scholarship Corporation. This scholarship was established to assist high school seniors interested in pursuing degrees in criminal justice. 

   

The following are the recipients for this year:

 

A graduate of Notre Dame High School, Chase Riggs is the son of Daniel and Michelle Riggs.  His extracurricular activities included Student Government, Key Club, National Honor Society, Football and Swim Team.

 

Chase has held numerous positions of leadership such as Student Body President and HOBY Ambassador.  He has been involved with an organization his family started called the West Virginia Child Abduction Prevention Program.  The goal of the WVCAPPP is to educate children about ways to stay safe.  

 

He has been accepted to West Virginia University.  He plans to study Political Science.  He would like to study law and become a prosecutor.

 

Morgan Dewitt, a graduate of Lincoln High School, is the daughter of Ed and Tammy Dewitt of Shinnston.  She ranked in the top 25 of her class, was a member of the National Honor Society, Key Club and Soccer Team.

 

Some of the many ways she has served her community involved starting a walk in her neighborhood to raise the awareness of addiction She also initiated a “Sippy Cup Drive” for West Virginia University Children’s Hospital and a “Personal Hygiene Drive” for the Clarksburg Mission.

 

Morgan took advantage of an opportunity to shadow a local circuit court judge and sit in on some cases.  She is very interested in Homeland Security.  Morgan has been accepted into Fairmont State University majoring in Criminal Justice

 

Grafton High School graduate Matthew McDaniel is the son of Brandon and Laurie McDaniel of Grafton.  Matthew’s extracurricular activities included Football, Baseball, Weight Lifting and Young Life.

 

Matthew has worked with Rotary Club to raise funds to send students to various leadership camps.  He also volunteered at the Taylor County Missions serving meals.  Matthew has mentored younger athletes at Youth Football camp and Little League.

 

Matthew will attend Fairmont State University pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice.  He stated that he “would be dedicated to enforcing the law and protecting citizens.” 

 

Nathan Oliverio, the son of Dale and Heidi Oliverio, is a graduate of Lincoln High School.  He played football and was a member of the National Honor Society.  He has worked in day care, has participated in mission trips and is an active member of his church youth group.

 

Nathan has been accepted to Fairmont State University.  He plans to obtain a degree in Criminal Justice.  He is considering becoming a deputy sheriff.

     

The recipients were presented a scholarship certificate at their schools’ award ceremony.  The Board can renew the scholarships each semester for four years of study if the applicants maintain their eligibility.  

 

Future applicants can get information about applying for the scholarship from their school counselor or online at www.hotsinpillerscholarship.com  Donations to the scholarship fund are still being accepted.  

 

Checks should be made out to the “Jim and Derek Hotsinpiller Scholarship Fund” and mailed to PO Box 392, Bridgeport, WV 26330  

 

Editor's Note: Pictured, from top to bottom, is Chase Riggs, Morgan Dewitt, Matthew McDaniel, and Nathan Oliverio.