OHSAA Awards Two Scholarships

The Oceana High School Alumni Association has announced the winners of their third annual scholarship.

This year, for the first time, two Westside High School students will receive the association's scholarship, in the amount of $1,000 each.

Joshua Wimmer, 17, of Brier Creek, and Kayla Cline, 18, of Indian Creek, are the recipients.

The Oceana High School Alumni Association is awarding scholarships to Joshua Wimmer (second from left) and Kayla Cline (third from left) this year. Also pictured, from left, are Barbara Wallace, Lillian Cook, and Victoria Knight-Clay.

Thirteen Westside seniors applied for the scholarship.

"I'm glad we are able to give two scholarships this year," said Lillian Cook, scholarship director. "I think there are so many deserving students and I think the more scholarships we're able to give, the better." Cook said proceeds from the sale of cookbooks enabled the group to award more than one scholarship this year, and the two students were very close in qualifications.

Wimmer ranks first in his class, with a grade point average of 4.1352.

He plans to attend Marshall University to major in premedical biology and religious study. He is the son of Dean and Debbie Wimmer.

"I always wanted to be able to help people. As a doctor, of course it is well known how you help people," Wimmer said. "But, also as a doctor with the religious studies degree, I will be able to help people with the spiritual need as well. The healing process is as much psychological as it is physical." Wimmer plans to use the scholarship money toward studying abroad.

He tentatively plans to go to Ecuador this summer and study Cuechua, a language, a whole subculture in the Andes Mountains between Ecuador and Peru. Joshua enjoys reading books and watching movies.

Cline ranks sixth in her class and is a candidate for honorarian.

She has a grade point average of 4.0281.

Interested in pharmacy, Cline plans to attend West Virginia University.

She is the daughter of Jewell and Eddie Cline.

"Pharmacy has always been an interest of mine for many years," Cline said. "I really enjoy chemistry and those types of subjects that I would be studying. I really would like to own a town pharmacy and be able to get to know my customers and have a bond there." Cline plans to use her scholarship money toward books and room and board. She enjoys being a part of the dance team at Westside and spending time with her family.

Vickie Knight-Clay, senior class counselor, said that this year's winners were very well deserving of the scholarship.

"They have been fabulous student to work with and I think both of them truly have attainable goals. I'm very sure they will go far in life."

Wimmer and Cline will be presented their scholarships at Westside's annual awards ceremony in May.

The two will also be honored at the Alumni Association's Mix and Mingle dinner on April 25.