Denise Sprinkle Memorial scholarship seeks donors

Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia announced today the establishment of its newest endowed scholarship fund to benefit Botetourt County students: the Denise L. Sprinkle Memorial Scholarship Fund. This fund is made possible through a generous contribution to the community foundation from Denise’s husband, Peter D. Sprinkle of Fincastle, VA.

The Denise L. Sprinkle Memorial Scholarship will fund annual, nonrenewable educational scholarships to graduation seniors at Lord Botetourt High School and James River High School with a preference to those who previously attended Central Academy Middle School (CAMS). Scholarship recipients will be selected based on academic achievement, citizenship, leadership, involvement in extra-curricular activities, and community involvement. Preference will be given to those planning to pursue a degree in Secondary Education. The first scholarship will be awarded in 2020.

The fund honors and perpetuates the memory of Denise L. Sprinkle, who passed away unexpectedly in January of 2019. A devoted teacher who retired with over 40 years of service to Botetourt County Public Schools, Denise was a fixture at Central Academy Middle School and was admired and respected by all who met her.

The administration and faculty at CAMS fondly recalled Denise as the “face of CAMS” for a very long time. According to them, “she was like the sun for those fortunate enough to know her. She loved, she nurtured, she inspired, and most importantly, she helped students grow — grow to be better versions of themselves. She touched the lives of many and was an inspiration to all.”

When Denise wasn’t teaching, her focus was being a loving wife to her husband, Peter, four children, and eleven grandchildren. She treasured the time spent with her grandchildren and loved to cook and garden.

Michelle Eberly, Director of Grants & Donor Engagement of the Foundation noted, “We are very honored to hold and administer this Scholarship Fund in Denise’s memory, and we look forward to seeing its impact on the lives of many deserving students as they pursue their educational dreams in the decades to come.”

Those wishing to make a contribution to the Denise L. Sprinkle Memorial Scholarship Fund may do so by mailing the contribution to the following address and making a note in the memo line of the Fund:

Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia
PO Box 1159
Roanoke, VA 24006

Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia, the region’s community foundation, has worked for more than 30 years to administer and make grants and scholarships from hundreds of named endowment funds on behalf of the community. For more information, visit the Foundation’s website www.cfwesternva.org or call 540-985-0204

–submitted by Community foundation, File Photo by Cathy Benson