Two local students awarded scholarships from Al Stroobants Foundation to study at Sweet Briar

Sweet Briar College has awarded two scholarships supported by the Al Stroobants Foundation. The recipients are Juliet Hatch, of Forest, and Jacquelyn Vari, of Lynchburg. Both are incoming first-years.

Juliet Hatch attended Jefferson Forest High School and the Lynchburg Regional Governor’s STEM Academy. During the spring semester, Hatch had an internship at Centra Health that helped her learn about the health care field and how engineering can be used to make a difference in the lives of others. Susan Cash, a counselor at the STEM Academy, said of Hatch: “Juliet has been inspirational to watch as she has grown and developed into a confident, hardworking young lady … I am amazed each day by her enthusiasm for engineering and making a difference in the lives of others.”

Joining Hatch as a Stroobants scholar is Jacquelyn Vari, who graduated from E.C. Glass High School in June. One of four children, Vari is involved, not only in her family life, but also in numerous after-school activities, sports and community service projects. Felicia Calloway, a counselor at E.C. Glass, said, “Jacqui has grown into a responsible young woman with goals and a passion to match … She has the maturity and well-balanced personality to succeed at whatever task she takes on.”

The Stroobants Scholarship was announced in January. It covers the full tuition, for one year, for women from Lynchburg or Bedford, Campbell or Amherst counties in Virginia. To be eligible, students must be admitted to Sweet Briar and include a recommendation from a counselor or teacher. The winners are chosen by a scholarship committee.

“We’re extremely grateful to the Al Stroobants Foundation for this generous gift that will recognize two deserving students from our local area, where we have so many talented scholars,” said Sweet Briar College President Meredith Woo.