FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Jamee Rodgers, PhD., CEO, The Community Foundation
Phone: 540-373-9292 x120
FREDERICKSBURG, VA – On Sunday, June 14, 72 local students were honored during The Community Foundation’s annual Scholarship Reception held at Stevenson Ridge in Spotsylvania County. Surrounded by family members, donors, scholarship fund representatives, and community leaders. The 2026 scholarship recipients were recognized for their achievements and awarded a combined total of $289,458.51 in scholarship support.
This year, students received a combined 95 scholarships made possible through 56 unique scholarship funds established by local families, businesses, organizations, and community champions committed to investing in education and the future of the region.
Hosted annually, the Scholarship Reception celebrates not only academic excellence and student achievement, but also the enduring legacy of the individuals and families whose generosity continues to create educational opportunities for future generations. Many of the scholarship funds were established in memory of loved ones, while others honor educators, community leaders, veterans, or causes deeply meaningful to the donors who created them.
“Each scholarship awarded represents the generosity of individuals, families, businesses, and organizations who believe in the power of education to transform lives,” said Jamee Rodgers, Ph.D., CEO of The Community Foundation. “These students have demonstrated remarkable dedication, resilience, and promise, and we are honored to help support their educational journeys. Through our scholarship funds, donors are not only investing in individual students, but also in the future strength and vitality of our entire region.”
The Community Foundation’s scholarship program supports a wide range of educational and career pathways, including traditional four-year degrees, technical training, vocational certifications, healthcare programs, skilled trades, and service-oriented leadership opportunities. Scholarships are awarded based on a variety of criteria, including academic achievement, leadership, perseverance, financial need, career aspirations, and community involvement.
Recipients represent schools and communities throughout the City of Fredericksburg and the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, Stafford, and surrounding localities. Several scholarship funds also provide renewable support, allowing students to continue receiving assistance across multiple years of post-secondary education.
“At The Community Foundation, we believe education changes not only individual lives, but entire communities,” said Jamee Rodgers, PhD., CEO of The Community Foundation. “These scholarships reflect the compassion and vision of donors who are committed to supporting students as they pursue their goals, overcome barriers, and build meaningful futures for themselves and their families.”
The 2026 Scholarship Reception served as both a celebration of student success and a powerful reminder of the impact local philanthropy can have across generations. Through donor generosity and community partnership, The Community Foundation remains committed to expanding educational access and supporting the next generation of leaders throughout the region.
2026 Scholarship Recipients
Alphabetized by recipient last name. Recipients who received multiple scholarships have all awards listed in a single entry.
Cole Adcock, Brooke Point High School – The Baron P. “Deuce” Braswell II Memorial Scholarship
Madelyn Banner, Chancellor High School – The Trey Vanderpool Memorial Scholarship
Isabel Baroody, Fredericksburg Christian School – The Seay Family Memorial Scholarship
Ray Baz, Spotsylvania High School – The Ian and Jalen Brown Legacy Scholarship
John Boateng, James Monroe High School – The George A. and Lucy Mae Scott Scholarship
Blaik Bowen, Chancellor High School – The Community Scholarship
Luke Burner, Massaponax High School – The Seay Family Memorial Scholarship
Jaidyn Burnett, King George High School – The Horace A. Revercomb, Jr. Memorial Scholarship for the Continuing Study of Music
Kaliyah Butler, Caroline High School – The Irene A. Miller Memorial Nursing Scholarship
Saniyah Butler, Caroline High School – The Walton Mahon Scholarship
Natalie Buckley, Spotsylvania High School, Class of 2024 (Renewal) – The Ian and Jalen Brown Legacy Scholarship
Isaac Clarke, King George High School, Class of 2025 (Renewal) – The King George High School Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship
Samuel Cox, Spotsylvania High School – The Laura and Jerry Bellotti Scholarship
Wyatt Cox, Spotsylvania High School – The Chris Ross Memorial Scholarship
Marvin Crenshaw II, Chancellor High School – The Randy and Tina Harris Family Scholarship
Jared Crofoot, Spotsylvania High School, Class of 2025 (Renewal) – The Henry Warden/Patty Shannon Endowment Scholarship
Kealani Daniels, Colonial Forge High School, Class of 2025 (Renewal) – Como Farm Scholarship
Isaiah Dillman, Fredericksburg Christian School – The Rev. Douglas T. Pinkard Memorial Scholarship
Jordane Donfack, Spotsylvania High School, Class of 2025 (Renewal) – The Martha S. Daltan Educational Scholarship
Rachel Dodge, King George High School – The Clay and Elsie Williams Rural Conservation Scholarship
Jaylen Esa-Kamara, Chancellor High School – The Randy and Tina Harris Family Scholarship
William Etu, Stafford High School – The Brandon Thomas Lawn Memorial Scholarship; The Kay Orr Memorial Scholarship
Rose Fallon Roldan, James Monroe High School – DuVal and Anne Dickinson Memorial Scholarship
Nathalie Fuentes, Stafford High School – The Community Scholarship; The Mary Carter Frackelton Scholarship
Ruby Gallant, King George High School, Class of 2025 (Renewal) – The Clay and Elsie Williams Rural Conservation Scholarship
Madison Grieber, King George High School, Class of 2023 (Renewal) – The King George High School Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship
Taylor Grymes, Mountain View High School – The Community Scholarship; The Mary B. and Perry A. Thompson Scholarship
Tommari Gunn, Colonial Forge High School – The Lee Wingate Pappandreou Drama Award
Brooke Hayden, King George High School – The Craig “Cujo, Jr.” Bennett Scholarship; The King George High School Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship; The Dr. Lillie Pitman Scholarship; The George Toliver “Swish 21” Scholarship
Jebediah Harper, Spotsylvania High School – The Schmidt Trade Construction Scholarship
Emmet Hart, James Monroe High School – The Bill Lontz Science Scholarship
Jordan Harris, James Monroe High School – The Hall Family Scholarship; The Crittenden R. Sullivan, Jr. Memorial Scholarship
Rylann Harris, Riverbend High School – The Molly Gill Memorial Scholarship
Naa Heywood, Mountain View High School – The Community Scholarship; The George D. Taylor Scholarship
Teajah Hill, Spotsylvania High School – The Mary B. and Perry A. Thompson Scholarship
Emily Jackson, Germanna Community College (Renewal) – The Laura and Jerry Bellotti Scholarship
Kasaan Jennings, James Monroe High School – The George D. Taylor Scholarship
Natalie Johnson, King George High School – The Douglas T. and Helen L. Gray Scholarship; The Ira and Gladys West Scholarship
Aya Karouane, Mountain View High School – The Mary B. and Perry A. Thompson Scholarship
Sunjae Kim, Colonial Forge High School – The Baron P. “Deuce” Braswell II Memorial Scholarship
Jacob Korn, Riverbend High School – The Brian Conner Memorial Scholarship
Breck Luckman, Colonial Forge High School – The Steven Snyder Memorial Scholarship for Colonial Forge
Cori McAleese, James Monroe High School – The Betty Merrill Scholarship for Excellence in Latin Fund
Shamatul Mahdi, Spotsylvania High School – The Henry Warden/Patty Shannon Endowment Scholarship
Carleigh Menzie, Spotsylvania High School, Class of 2025 (Renewal) – The Ian and Jalen Brown Legacy Scholarship
Ellie Meeks, Riverbend High School – The Seay Family Memorial Scholarship
Jarrius Morgan, Chancellor High School – The Christopher Donell Childs Memorial Scholarship; The Randy and Tina Harris Family Scholarship; The Schmidt Trade Construction Scholarship
Diego Murcia, North Stafford High School – The William and Susanna Botts Scholarship for Immigrants; The George D. Taylor Scholarship
Rebecca Nguyen, King George High School – The Betty Booker Lontz Scholarship
Robert Perry III, Chancellor High School – The Randy and Tina Harris Family Scholarship
Jack Quinton, James Monroe High School – The Paul E. Neri Memorial Scholarship
Abdul Rauf Tawakalyar, North Stafford High School – The George D. Taylor Scholarship
Lorena Raymondo, James Monroe High School – The Hall Family Scholarship
Caitlyn Ross, Massaponax High School – The Community Scholarship; The Mary B. and Perry A. Thompson Scholarship
Luke Rossi, James Monroe High School – The Mary E. Berger Scholarship
Aisha Sabahat, Chancellor High School, Class of 2025 (Renewal) – The William and Susanna Botts Scholarship for Immigrants
Jack Schaffer, James Monroe High School – The Sofia Silva Scholarship; The Kenneth T. Whitescarver III Memorial Scholarship
Jeremy Siefker, Spotsylvania High School – The Chris Ross Memorial Scholarship
Elle Smith, North Stafford High School – The Mary Carter Frackelton Scholarship; The Steven Snyder Memorial Scholarship for North Stafford
Collin Smolnik, King George High School – The Robert H. Bradley Jr. Memorial Golf Scholarship; The Jeremy Daniel Hawley Skilled Trades and Technical Education Scholarship
Cooper Sobota, King George High School – The Linda and Billy Beale Scholarship
Savannah Stec, Fredericksburg Academy – The Baron P. “Deuce” Braswell II Memorial Scholarship; The John C. Neal Scholarship
Andrew Stone, James Monroe High School, Class of 2024 (Renewal) – Como Farm Scholarship
Nyla Satchell, Spotsylvania High School, Class of 2024 (Renewal) – The Ian and Jalen Brown Legacy Scholarship
Salma Tahir, Spotsylvania High School, Class of 2024 (Renewal) – The Martha S. Daltan Educational Scholarship
Kantida Tantayanurak, James Monroe High School – The Martha S. Daltan Educational Scholarship
Marwa Tawakalyar, North Stafford High School, Class of 2025 (Renewal) – Como Farm Scholarship
Brooke Tedesco, Riverbend High School – The Peter D. Johnson Memorial Fund
Tyler Truslow, King George High School, Class of 2024 (Renewal) – The Richard C. Hayden Family Scholarship
Jackson Valasko, Spotsylvania High School – The Ian and Jalen Brown Legacy Scholarship; The Seay Family Memorial Scholarship
Elizabeth Vallejos, Falls Church High School – The Hall Family Scholarship
Caroline Wagaman, Spotsylvania High School, Class of 2024 (Renewal) – The Ian and Jalen Brown Legacy Scholarship
Casey Watson, King George High School – The Douglas T. and Helen L. Gray Scholarship; The Anne Koepfinger Inspiring Educators Memorial Scholarship
Emily Weeks, Brooke Point High School – The Shacklax Memorial Scholarship
Virginia Yergey, King George High School – The Baron P. “Deuce” Braswell II Memorial Scholarship; The Douglas T. and Helen L. Gray Scholarship
Adeline Zinn, Homeschool – The Paris B. Swisher Memorial Scholarship
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About The Community Foundation
The Community Foundation is a tax-exempt public charity dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for the more than 407,000 residents of Planning District 16, including the City of Fredericksburg and the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford. We partner with individuals, families, businesses, and organizations united by a shared purpose—strengthening our region through thoughtful, impactful philanthropy.
Since inception, the Community Foundation has invested more than $24.8 million in grants and scholarships to support the people, programs, and initiatives that define and uplift our community. Today, we steward 226 named charitable funds established by donors to address a wide range of causes—from education and workforce development to human services, the arts, and community vitality.
Beyond grantmaking, the Foundation serves as a trusted philanthropic leader and resource. We have provided more than 8,000 hours of education and training for local nonprofits, equipping organizations with the knowledge, tools, and connections needed to maximize their impact and build long-term sustainability.
With more than $60 million in net assets under management, the Community Foundation maintains a strong financial foundation and a long-term commitment to responsible stewardship. Our strength ensures that the charitable legacies entrusted to us continue to serve this region—today and for generations to come.
For more information, please call (540) 373-9292, email info@cfrrr.org or visit www.cfrrr.org.