The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) Foundation recently awarded 17 graduating high school seniors with scholarships of $1,000 each to support their continued education in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) concentrations. The IALR Foundation’s scholarship program is an important stimulant for developing talent in STEM career fields.
The IALR Foundation offers graduating high school students interested in STEM and located throughout the IALR service region the opportunity to earn scholarships every year.
“We’re proud to support students who are choosing to pursue high-demand STEM fields that are critical to our region’s future. These scholarships are one way we invest in local talent and help remove barriers to postsecondary education.” — Emma Sellers, senior director, institutional advancement, IALR
Many of this year’s recipients expressed a strong desire to use their STEM education to serve their communities in Southern Virginia, whether through healthcare, engineering, business or technology.
For Myssia Tenai Hairston-France of Magna Vista High School, that commitment is personal.
“STEM is not just a career path for me — it is a way to create stability, give back to my community, and make a meaningful impact on the lives of those who need it most.”
Addison Duplantier of Halifax County High School also emphasized the broader impact of STEM careers, noting, “By pursuing biology, I hope to contribute to the advancement of healthcare.”
That theme of giving back to Southern Virginia was echoed by other scholarship recipients, including LaPriannah Keen of George Washington High School, who plans to pursue a career in nursing.
“By working as a nurse in this region, I would have the opportunity to provide care to individuals who may need compassionate and reliable medical support,” she wrote.
This content is sourced from
Institute for Advanced Learning and Research
. It reflects the author's views and has not been edited by our newsroom. It may have been generated using AI assistance.
