WEST JEFFERSON, N.C. – SkyLine Membership Corporation has announced its 2023 Frank James-SkyLine Scholarship Program winners, providing a total of $20,000 in scholarship awards to 8 area high school graduates.
In memory of the cooperative’s longtime director and former SkyLine President Frank James, this scholarship is presented each year to benefit the children of SkyLine/SkyBest customers who reside in its five-county service area. This year’s scholarships will be awarded over two or four years to students pursuing college transfer programs, trade school programs, two-year degrees or four-year degrees.
Click here to see a video of our winners!
Alleghany County recipients are McKenzie Hudson, daughter of William and Kristie Hudson of Sparta, who will attend Wilkes Community College to study business administration; Nicholas Rea, son of Joel and Donna Rea of Sparta, who will attend Ferrum College to study exercise science.
Ashe County recipients are Britny Contador, daughter of Valentin Contador and Martha Mejia of Grassy Creek, who will attend Appalachian State University to study banking and finance; and Austin Hart, son of Mitchell and Jennifer Hart of Lansing, who will enroll in the Kentucky Welding Institute to pursue a welding program.
The Avery County recipient is Bray Guest, son of Benjamil and Teresa Guest, who plans to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to study political science.
The Watauga County recipient is Benjamin Parker, son of Davin and Amber Parker of Fleetwood, who plans to attend Liberty University to study either medical or industrial engineering.
Johnson County’s recipients are Kayla Sluder, daughter of Kenny and Kelli Sluder of Shady Valley, Tennessee, who plans to attend Northeast State Community College to study communication sciences and disorders; and Kyla Tolliver, daughter of Stephen and Kim Tolliver of Shady Valley, Tennessee, who will attend Northeast State Community College with plans to study agriculture.
Since the scholarship program was established in 1987, more than $700,000 in scholarships have been awarded.
About SkyLine
As North Carolina’s largest telecommunications cooperative, SkyLine Membership Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiary, SkyBest Communications, deliver advanced communications and technology solutions across an expanding network in northwest North Carolina and east/middle Tennessee. With more than 70 years of service to the High Country, SkyLine/SkyBest provides fiber-based, symmetrical Gig Broadband, Voice, Digital TV, Business Communications, Network and Hosting Solutions, Business Phone Systems, Monitored Security and Surveillance services. Along with its investment in building a fiber-based infrastructure and national designation as a Smart Rural Community and Gig-capable broadband provider, SkyLine is committed to its member communities through numerous charitable, educational and economic development programs.