Local News
Warren County Seniors Honored with Scholarships, Recognition at Senior Night
Parents, students, educators, and guests gathered this week at Warren County High School to honor the Class of 2025 during its annual Senior Night celebration. The event highlighted the achievements, resilience, and bright futures of the school’s graduating seniors.
Principal Ken Knesh opened the evening with a heartfelt message recognizing the students’ journeys and the support systems that helped them succeed. “Senior Night is one of my favorite events of the year,” he said, “because it gives us a chance to celebrate and recognize our best and brightest.”
The ceremony paid tribute not only to academic accomplishments but also to the perseverance and personal growth many students experienced throughout their high school years. Several of the soon-to-be graduates will be the first in their families to attend college—opportunities made possible in part by community scholarships and donations.
Principal Knesh extended his gratitude to parents for their behind-the-scenes support, including late-night pickups, encouragement during tough times, and constant involvement in their children’s education. He also thanked community members and donors who continue to invest in the future of Warren County’s youth.
As he addressed the seniors directly, Knesh emphasized the power of kindness and the impact a positive attitude can have on the world. “A simple smile can open the world to endless possibilities,” he told the students. “The world needs all kinds of people—but more than anything, it needs your greatest gift: kindness.”
The evening concluded with an invitation for families and students to return for the school’s graduation ceremony, which will be held on Wednesday, May 15, at 7 p.m.
As the Class of 2025 prepares to close one chapter and begin another, the Senior Night event served as a reminder of how far they’ve come—and just how far they’re capable of going.
Total scholarships were $140,371.
See the list of scholarships below.
| SCHOLARSHIP | RECIPIENT |
| American Legion Auxiliary Post 53 Scholarship | Ava Strickler |
| Angel’s Korner Scholarship | Jodaci Eastwood |
| Axalta Coating System Scholarship | Sean Flynn |
| Ben McComas Memorial Scholarship | Bridget Hay |
| Ben McComas Memorial Scholarship | Ava Powell |
| Beth Medved Waller Hometown Scholarship | Baylee Williams |
| Blue Ridge Arts Council Nancy R. LeHew-Krogsund Art Scholarship | Abigail Knesh |
| Brody Michael Foundation Scholarship | Shea Henson |
| Brody Michael Foundation Scholarship | Taylor Wrye |
| Brody Michael Foundation Scholarship | Mackenzie Bloomfield |
| Brody Michael Foundation Scholarship | Ava Dickerson |
| C. Lynwood & Phyllis Madagan Athey Memorial Scholarship | Renae Badin |
| Calvary Episcopal Church Scholarship | Carissa Spear |
| Calvary Episcopal Church Scholarship | Mackenzie Bloomfield |
| Cedarville Ruritan Scholarship | Jaylen Ramirez |
| Cedarville Ruritan Scholarship | Ava Strickler |
| Cedarville Ruritan Scholarship | Kenna Weakley |
| Circle of Love /Church of the Brethren Scholarship | Mikaela Hamilton |
| Class of ’68 Friends & Family Scholarship In Memory of Bettie Jo Marchi | Ava Strickler |
| David Hrbek Memorial Education Scholarship | Noah Smelser |
| Dr. Craig Zunka / Health & Healing Arts Scholarship | Carmen Jenkins |
| Dr. Craig Zunka/JoEllen McNeal Scholarship | Sean Flynn |
| Dr. Craig Zunka/JoEllen McNeal Scholarship | Ayaana Vasishta |
| Dr. Craig Zunka/JoEllen McNeal Scholarship | Kiara Wiles |
| Dr. Craig Zunka/JoEllen McNeal Scholarship | Taylor Wrye |
| Dr. Craig Zunka/JoEllen McNeal Scholarship | Joshua Zook |
| Dr. Guna Subedi/Dr. Judith Fredericksen Scholarship | Olivia Grupac |
| Dr. Tripp Bradd Memorial Scholarship | Ella Martin |
| Edgar R. Baldwin Memorial Scholarship – South Warren Ruritan | Mikaela Hamilton |
| Elizabeth H. ‘Sue’ Grant Memorial Scholarship | Ava Strickler |
| Elizabeth P. Denny Memorial Scholarship | Jillian Ryan |
| Front Royal Independent Business Alliance (FRIBA) | Taylor Wrye |
| Front Royal Independent Business Alliance (FRIBA) | Kira Wiles |
| For the Love of Josh | Taylor Wrye |
| For the Love of Josh | Graceleigh Blodgett |
| Front Royal Elks Lodge #2382 Scholarship | Mikaela Hamilton |
| Front Royal Elks Lodge #2382 Scholarship | Toby Tennant |
| Front Royal Little League Scholarship | Adam Andlinger |
| Front Royal Moose Lodge 829 | Mikaela Hamilton |
| Front Royal Moose Lodge 829 | Renae Badin |
| Front Royal Rotary Club Scholarship Award | Ayaana Vasishta |
| Front Royal Rotary Club Scholarship Award | Ava Strickler |
| Front Royal Warren County Tree Stewards | Emmaline Blodgett |
| Front Royal Women of the Moose Scholarship | Mikaela Hamilton |
| Giles B. Cook Memorial Scholarship | Adam Andlinger |
| Giles B. Cook Memorial Scholarship | Noah Smelser |
| Harlee Ann Hire Athletic Scholarship /Reaching Out Now | Taylor Wrye |
| Izaak Walton League Scholarship | Emmaline Blodgett |
| James B. Bolling Scholarship | Madison Wadas |
| John Philip Sousa Award | Morgan Brown |
| JMU Teaching Fellows Program | Ava Strickler |
| Julie Darr Scammahorn Memorial Scholarship | Sean Flynn |
| Kiwanis Club Scholarship | Melissa Zook |
| Leonard F. Maiden DECA Scholarship | Breanna Taylor |
| Leonard F. Maiden DECA Scholarship | Ella Martin |
| Live like Logan Maiatico Memorial Scholarship | Carmen Jenkins |
| Lord Baltimore Memorial Scholarship – South Warren Ruritan | Sean Flynn |
| Louis Armstrong Award | Heath Coe |
| Loyd Family Education Foundation | Mikaela Hamilton |
| LRCC College Board Scholarship | Cameron Musil |
| LRCC Pathways Scholarship | Baylee Williams |
| LRCC Principals Scholarship | Evie Huston |
| National Honor Society | Emmaline Blodgett |
| National Honor Society | Graceleigh Blodgett |
| National Honor Society | Ava Powell |
| National Honor Society | Ayaana Vasishta |
| Patricia Ann Hand Memorial Music Lovers Scholarship | Abigail Knesh |
| Prairie Fork sponsored by Edward Jones | Ariana Craig |
| Shenandoah Area Secular Humanists (SASH) Scholarship | Abigail Knesh |
| Skyline Caverns Scholarship | Willow Hetz |
| Superintendent’s Award Scholarship | Renae Badin |
| The Shenandoah Fine Art Scholarship of New York | Kayla Bittner |
| U.S. Marine Corps Semper Fi Music Award | Trestyn Muterspaw |
| Warren County Education Association Scholarship | Abigail Knesh |
| Warren County Farm Bureau Scholarship | Taylor Wrye |
| Warren County Girls Little League Scholarship | Taylor Wrye |
| Warren County Retired Personnel Association Memorial Scholarship In Memory of Albert J. Dudeck, Petsy Rudacille, Pamela J. Martin & David Strickler & Gary Eaton | Toby Tennant |
| Warren County Sheriff’s Office Scholarship | Jillian Ryan |
| Warren County Youth Cheerleading Association Scholarship | Carmen Jenkins |
| Warren Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship | Mikaela Hamilton |
| Warren Memorial Hospital Foundation Healthcare Scholarship | Mikaela Hamilton |
| Warren Memorial Hospital Foundation Healthcare Scholarship | Carmen Jenkins |
| Warren Wildcat Athletic Association | |
| WCHS Class of 1971 Scholarship | Laurel Brade |
| Wells Fargo Scholarship | Graceleigh Blodgett |
