MORGANTOWN, W.Va. Five incoming freshmen, including a Morgantown High School (MHS) graduate, have been named 2023 West Virginia University Scholars, the highest academic scholarship offered by the institution.
Colin Street from MHS, Mariana Alkhouri, Jayla Boyd, Brent Marcus, and Joss Poteet have the intellectual curiosity, ambition, and critical-thinking skills needed to create positive change and are committed to building a more sustainable and inclusive world for future generations, according to a press release.
“I have had the opportunity to get to know each of these students and cannot help but be inspired by their dreams for a brighter future,” President Gordon Gee said. “They are thoughtful young people who want to make a difference in our state and beyond, and the university’s academic programs, R1 research opportunities, and unique sense of community will help them to excel. I look forward to welcoming Mariana, Jayla, Brent, Joss, and Colin to campus this fall.”
Street plans to pursue degrees in political science and environmental, soil, and water sciences to develop his passion for environmental sustainability. As a co-founder of the Sexuality and Gender Acceptance initiative at MHS, Street works to combat discrimination and isolation among LGBTQ+ youth through a network of alliances and the distribution of gender-affirming packages. As the president of Mountaineer Area Robotics and coach of the FIRST LEGO League, he volunteers his time to encourage youths to pursue their creativity and intellectual passions for STEM. Since 2019, Street has successfully applied for and received more than $19,000 in grants to help fund organizations that align with his purpose.
Boyd, a graduate of George Washington High School, has a goal of providing specialized care to stroke and opioid-dependent patients in rural areas of the state as a “compassionate and empathic” physician. Boyd aspires to become a neurologist or psychiatrist and will use the degree as a springboard into medical school. She would like to conduct research on the influence of bone hormones on brain development and cognition and the effects of circadian rhythm disruption on mental health. Boyd has a keen interest in reducing the stigma around mental health and plans to join the Wellbeing and Mental Health Student Advisory Board. She is a four-year member of her cross country team and serves as co-chair of the Charleston parkrun.
Alkhouri, from Wheeling Park High School, has been inspired by her father and his dedication and compassion for his cancer patients, and she said she believes her degree in immunology and medical microbiology will distinguish her from other medical school applicants. Passionate about rebuilding her hometown, she plans to ultimately return to Wheeling and work as a physician. She looks forward to diversifying her knowledge through study abroad and research” and aspires to travel to southeastern European countries to study genetic blood disorders in migrant and ethnic minority populations and in children as a mentee at the WVU Medicine Blood Disorders and Cancer Center. Alkhouri is an avid writer, two-time published poet, and pianist.
Poteet, a graduate of Jefferson High School, is a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist who hopes his degrees in geography and jazz studies will teach him how to bring different cultures together with music. A National Geographic Bee competition in middle school sparked his interest in geography. His grandfather’s stories about his military travels have inspired him to possibly one day serve as a geography and cultural ambassador. Poteet, who plays the piano and the saxophone in his high school’s marching band and advanced ensembles, looks forward to joining the Jazz and WVU World Music Ensembles and Mon Hills Music Group. He also hopes to create a geography club at WVU focused on sustainability.
Marcus is a graduate of Spring Mills High School and watched a family member suffer from muscular dystrophy. He plans to use his degree in biochemistry to help develop therapeutic strategies for genetic and other diseases while working to destigmatize individuals with disabilities. He would like to conduct research at an R1 research institution and participate in the Summer Undergraduate Research Program. Marcus is a member of his high school’s Gender-Sexuality Alliance and a former trumpet player in the marching band. He volunteers his time advocating for LGBTQ+ youth, and his hobbies include reading and watching videos on learning to speak German. Marcus is also considering a degree in German studies.
To qualify for the Foundation Scholarship, high school students must be state residents, have a minimum grade point average of 3.8, and hold a minimum composite score of 31 on the ACT or the equivalent SAT score.
The value of the Foundation Scholarship, when paired with the state’s Promise Scholarship, is more than $90,000 over four years.