FOLAR SCHOLARSHIP

SUPPORTING THE NEXT GENERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDS

Established in 2016 by long-time FOLAR supporters, Victor and Reiko Liu, the FOLAR Environmental Stewardship Scholarship is awarded annually to a deserving student from the Tri-Cities region of Virginia. Priority is given to students who are interested in pursuing an environmental-related career or have extracurricular participation in an environmental service program.

This permanently endowed scholarship is administered by John Randolph Foundation, the community foundation of the Tri-Cities region. FOLAR also partners with John Randolph Foundation through their grant programs to improve public access for outdoor activities trail runs/walks, paddling, bicycling on the Appomattox River Trail, and to keep our shorelines and drinking water clean by restoring native plants and riparian buffers.

Victor Liu, an urban planner and Founder of FOLAR, stands on the Battersea Bridges on the Appomattox River Trail in Petersburg. Victor’s work at Crater Planning District Commission (CPDC) lives on through FOLAR.

From left: Judith Smith, Foundation Trustee and CPDC Executive Assistant, Reiko and Victor Liu, Scholarship Benefactors, Allison Tucker, Scholarship Recipient, and LuAnn Collier, Former FOLAR Board Advisor.

2024’s Scholarship Recipients include Alexis Washington (right), a graduate of Appomattox Regional Governor’s School, who plans to attend Virginia Tech starting in the fall and Gifford Scott (left), a graduate of Colonial Heights High School, who will enroll at Richard Bland College.

PAST RECIPIENTS

Since 2017, FOLAR has awarded $18,000 in scholarships to 13 deserving students:  Below is an overview of past recipients.

2017: Matthew Mehfoud

Colonial Heights High School Graduate, Attended University of Virginia

2018: Caitlin Abernathy

Prince George High School Graduate, Attended Christopher Newport University

2018: Allison Tucker

Colonial Heights High School Graduate, Attended James Madison University

2019: Erin Brooks

Thomas Dale High School Graduate, Attended Richard Bland College

2019: Hannah Garthwaite

Thomas Dale High School Graduate, Attended Coastal Carolina University

2020: Alexandria Johnson

Prince George High School Graduate, Attending Virginia Tech

2020: Rana Richie

Thomas Dale High School Graduate, Attending University of Virginia

2021: Jenna Beville

Dinwiddie High School Graduate, Attending Virginia Tech

2022: Ethan Scott

Thomas Dale High School Graduate, Attending Christopher Newport University

2023: Sebastian Torres and Tucker Brown

Thomas Dale High School Graduates

2024: Alexis Washinton 

Appomattox Regional Governor’s School Graduate attending Virginia Tech

2024: Gifford Scott

Colonial Heights High School Graduate will enroll at Richard Bland College

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