We are thrilled to announce this year’s class of 33 outstanding college-bound students from North Carolina and Virginia who will receive one of our $1,000 Lynn Davis Scholarship! This $33,000 investment in the next generation of Blue Ridge leaders adds to the $93,000 we’ve awarded since we launched the scholarship program in 2023. Named in…
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We’ve created a map! Not your ordinary map, mind you, that might explain how to get where we want to go. Ours illustrates where we have been and what we have done – a treasure map of sorts filled with X’s marking the spots where we’ve invested our time, talents and treasures. Please spend some…
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Could your public institution or community organization use a free bike rack? Our 2026 Bike Rack grant program is NOW accepting applications until March 15! In partnership with RIDE Solutions and the Roanoke Valley Alleghany Regional Commission, FRIENDS works to expand access to bike parking across the region. This annual program provides locations that serve…
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Lynn Davis Scholarship Personal Statement – Cole Abbott (Christiansburg High School, Christiansburg, VA) My Passion for Preservation My passion for preserving our region’s unique culture and natural beauty began during wildernessexpeditions as an Eagle Scout. During our 108 Mile Challenge along the Appalachian Trail, Iwitnessed both the breathtaking landscapes and their vulnerability. These experiences taught meabout…
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Lynn Davis Scholarship Personal Statement – Lawson Higgins (Mountain Heritage High School, Burnsville, NC) Growing up in the rural town of Burnsville, NC, I have developed a deep connection to my community. I want to return after college to improve, rebuild, and restore my hometown, particularly by addressing the shortage of affordable housing and improving infrastructure.…
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Lynn Davis Scholarship Personal Statement – Nathan Manthey (Nelson County High School, Lovingston, VA) From the day I was born I’ve been deeply immersed in the beauty of nature in the Blue Ridge Mountains. As someone who has lived in Nellysford, VA all my life, I have grown up surrounded by the beautiful rivers and lucious…
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Lynn Davis Scholarship Personal Statement – Ethan Edwards (Carroll County High School, Hillsville, VA) In elementary school, I lived off the Blue Ridge Parkway near Groundhog Mountain. When I was six or seven, the forest beside my neighborhood’s development was logged. The company did not replant the trees or build anything in their place; the loggers…
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Lynn Davis Scholarship Personal Statement – Aubriana Hytner (Ashe County High School, West Jefferson, NC) There are two types of people in the world. There are people who view the universe and are taken by its astounding beauty and coincidence. Then, there are people who want to understand the explanation behind the whys and hows of…
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In recent weeks FRIENDS staff and volunteers have enjoyed attending graduation events throughout North Carolina and Virginia to award 30 Lynn Davis Scholarships. The $1,000 awards are supporting these deserving college-bound students who expressed a desire to use their future degrees to enhance the quality of life in our Blue Ridge region: 2024 Recipients who…
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Lynn Davis Scholarship Personal Statement – Zach Grohs (Liberty High School, Bedford, VA) Nature has always been a foundational part of my life. Growing up on a farm and constantly spending time outside has shown me how important our environment is. I have worked on many farms, have a passion for the lake, and have…
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