Heather Bell
RADFORD – The late Jeannie Fender, a beloved special education teacher for Radford City Schools and popular local artist, is being remembered by her friends and colleagues through a scholarship in her name.
The Radford City Schools Partners for Excellence Foundation, Inc.was approached by people who wanted a way to recognize Fender’s contributions to the community and help students attend college. Foundation board member Lee Slusher,who used to teach with Fender, says the Foundation was happy to help.
“We had no idea how much could be raised in a few short months,” said Fender. “The one-time Jeannie Fender Memorial Scholarship was based on financial need, and given to students attending Radford University and working toward a degree in service to the community, the arts, or education.
Three students – Madison Page,Trinity Massey and Mikaela Turner – were each recently presented with a check for $1518 to help with the cost of their studies. Josh Smith, Marketing Manager with Ameriprise Financial and a RCS Partners for Excellence Foundation Board Member, presented the Jeannie Fender Memorial Scholarship checks. All three winners are recent graduates of Radford High School.
The mission of the Radford City Schools Partners For Excellence Foundation, Inc. is to “support and enhance the educational experience of the Radford City Schools students through business and individual partnerships,” according to its mission statement. The Foundation was created “to promote academics, arts, and athletics within the school division.”
“As most are aware, state and federal funding for capital projects has greatly diminished in recent years, leaving school divisions with little-to-no funding for neither facility maintenance and improvements, nor funding for projects to advance the learning experiences of our children,”said FOundation Chairman Steve Cox in a stateement. “Therefore, the foundation seeks to fill this void, and works diligently with other supporting organizations, such as the Radford High School Foundation, the Band Boosters, and the Athletic Boosters, to maximize efforts in supporting the advancement in opportunities for all students in the division.”
