Natalie White, a senior in the Cisco/Aries Computer Training Program at the Calhoun-Gilmer Career Center has won an Albert Yanni Scholarship. Natalie and her father David White of Cabot Station were notified on May 10 that she had won one of the ten $1000 Albert Yanni Scholarships offered statewide for the 2002 school year.

These scholarships are offered each year through the WV Department of Education; Division of Vocational, Technical and Adult Education in the name of Albert Yanni. Mr. Yanni was a high school Machine Trades instructor at John Marshall High School. He was also a long time member of the WV House of Delegates. Albert was known as a staunch supporter of Vocational and Technical Education. The WV Legislature funded a continuing package of awards in 1989 as a memorial to Mr. Yanni to provide money for the state's Honors Academy, Staff Development, Back To Industry Training Programs for Teachers and of course the money set aside for ten $1000 scholarships statewide.

The purpose of the scholarship is to provide incentives, high expectations and encouragement for talented vocational-technical students to pursue advanced education and training related to their technical disciplines. All applicants must meet stringent requirements and provide information on their current and future programs of study. They must also provide proof that at a minimum: they are in the top 25% of their class, have maintained a 3.0 gpa or higher for grades 9-12, have completed at least four units in a single technical concentration, has registered with or been accepted by an accredited post secondary institution, has received a personal written recommendation from an academic teacher, a technical teacher, and a peer. The student's past and current awards, honors, and school/community involvement all count as part of the application process. A 500 word essay prepared by the student, relating to career plans and future aspirations, had to be included with the application materials.

Natalie states that she will use this award when she attends Marshall University this fall and continues her education in the four year Computer Science degree program. Ms. White said she was very excited and honored to win this prestigious award. She also wanted to say thank you to everyone that wrote letters of academic, technical and peer recommendations.

Natalie's list of honors and awards include:

Calhoun-Gilmer Career Center Outstanding Student Award for 2001 and for 2002;
In charge of designing/maintaining Calhoun-Gilmer Career Center's web page 2000-2002;
Assistant to the Technology Coordinator for Calhoun County Middle/High School 2002;
Volunteer with the summer Youth Program 2000-2002;
Project SHARES Ambassador 2002;
National Vocational Technical Honor Society;
President of the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America chapter 2002;
Reporter of the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America chapter 2001;
National Honor Society;
President of Girls Athletic Association 2002;
Who's Who in Sports;
Who's Who in Academics;
Volleyball Team Captain 2002;
Basketball Team Captain 2002;
1st Team All Little Kanawha Conference (LKC) in Volleyball 2001;
1st Team All LKC in Volleyball 2002;
All State Special Honorable Mention Volleyball 2001;
2nd Team All State Volleyball 2002;
Senior Ambassador, Voter Registration for 2002