The scholarship honors the memory of Jim and Derek Hotsinpiller. Jim was a member of the Bridgeport Police Department at the time of his passing.  Derek followed in his father’s footsteps, entering law enforcement and serving as a Deputy United States Marshal. He was fatally 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.

 

Providing applicants maintain eligibility, scholarships are renewable each semester of undergraduate study. Scholarships for graduating seniors are $500 per semester, renewable for four years. Scholarships for college students who have completed their sophomore year in a related field of study are $1,000 per semester, renewable for two years. 

 

Awards are also available to Law Enforcement Officers who are pursuing Criminal Justice degrees. 

 

Since its inception, the Board has awarded more than 40 scholarships.

 

The following are the recipients for 2020:

 

Jacinda Devart is a 2020 graduate of Grafton High School. She is the daughter of V. Diann Devart of Grafton. While attending GHS, Jacinda was active in National Honor Society, Key Club, varsity soccer (captain) and varsity track team. She was also a member of the WV Olympic Development Soccer Program ad GHS Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

 

Jacinda attended the U.S. Naval Academy Summer Seminar, volunteered for Beulah Baptist Church Vacation Bible School and at Wallace B. Nursing Home, packed meals for Rise Against Hunger and worked extensively with Taylor County’s HOP2E food distribution program.

 

The word which Jacinda used to describe herself was resilient. She will attend Waynesburg University, majoring in Criminal Justice. She hopes to one day work as an FBI agent.

A 2020 graduate of Lincoln High School, Katie Martin is the daughter of Phillip and Angie Martin of Bridgeport.  During high school, she was active in Key Club, Student Council, DECA, FBLA and varsity track and basketball.

 

Katie has been very active in church and community and has been involved in mission trips to Haiti and Ghana, the latter for which she organized a school supply/clothing drive. Her volunteer work involves projects with church, sports fundraising and nursing home visits.

 

Describing herself as adventurous, Katie will attend Fairmont State University, majoring in National Security and Intelligence. She aspires to work for the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

 

Jacob Perine is a junior at West Virginia University, where he is majoring in Wildlife & Fisheries. He is the son of Jeff and Julie Perine of Bridgeport and a member of Ten Mile Baptist Church.

 

While attending WVU, Jacob has been on the Dean’s List, attended summer fisheries camp at WVU Jackson’s Mill and participated in recreational basketball league. He has worked at Della’s Deli in Bridgeport and assisted in the shooting of Fly Rod Chronicles with Curtis Fleming. He spent the summer of 2020 doing landscaping/outdoor maintenance work for McDonald’s.

 

An avid outdoorsman, Jacob strives to be a good steward of the state’s natural resources. He hopes to one day work for the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. 

 

Nicholas Rose is a 2020 graduate of Clay-Battelle High School. He is the son of Melissa and John Rose of Fairview.

 

While attending CBHS, Nicholas was active in the West Virginia Army National Guard, WV State Trooper Junior Trooper Academy, varsity football (captain), varsity basketball (captain), varsity track, Heart Club (president), LEO Club, Interact Club, Recycling Club (Co-President), Student Council, National Honor Society and theater.

 

He has served as a volunteer for the Rosembaum House and Bartlett House, helped to organize local flood relief and participated in Heart Walk, Ink Out Walk, blood drives and Pennies for Patients, among other causes.

 

Describing himself as motivated, Nicholas will attend West Virginia University, majoring in criminology. He aspires to one day work as a West Virginia State Trooper or the U.S. Marshal Service.

 

Shelby Shaffer is a 2020 graduate of Preston High School. She is the daughter of Kenneth and Gerri Shaffer of Albright.

 

While attending PHS, Shelby was active in Key Club, Health Occupations Student of America “HOSA” (vice president) and basketball.

 

Her community involvement includes the Preston County Buckwheat Festival, Pine Ridge Nursing Home, Salvation Army bell ringing, cooking food for the Ronald McDonald House and at her own school for Teacher Appreciation Week.

 

Describing herself as ambitious, Shelby will attend West Virginia University, majoring in criminology. She plans to work in law enforcement, ultimately as a federal detective.

 

Future appliicants can get information about applying for the scholarship from their school counselor or online at www.hotsinpillerscholarship.com.

 

Held in Bridgeport anually in June, the Derek Hotsinpiller Fallen Stars Memorial 5K is a major fundraiser for the scholarship fund. Private and corporate donations are also instrumental.  

 

Donations to the scholarship fund can be made payable to the "Jim and Derek Hotsinpiller Scholarship Fund” and mailed to PO Box 392, Bridgeport, WV 26330.