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Jessika B. Coe named recipient of Harriett Pittard Beales Scholarship at William and Mary

Park View High School graduate Jessika B. Coe of Bracey, Va., was recently named the recipient of the College of William and Mary’s Harriett Pittard Beales Scholarship. Established in 1984 by members of the Beales family of Boydton, Va., this scholarship is awarded annually to a student from one of 13 south central Virginia localities.

“I am very excited to receive the Beales Scholarship. It was quite a surprise and an honor to be recognized for my work,” Coe said.

Co-salutatorian of Park View’s Class of 2006, Coe was active in marching band, the Future Business Leaders of America, the Beta and Astronomy clubs and student government. She also attended the Governor’s School of Southside Virginia and the American Legion Auxiliary-sponsored Girls State. She volunteered for the Community Memorial Healthcenter in South Hill, Va., and worked part-time at Wal-Mart throughout her senior year. Coe plans to focus on international studies and business at William and Mary.

The scholarship is named in honor of Harriett Pittard Beales, an active member of the Boydton and William and Mary communities who has a special interest in working with and helping young people. A 1934 graduate of William and Mary, as a student Mrs. Beales served as president of the Women’s Honor Council and was named to Mortar Board. Both of her sons, Walter R. Beales III and The Honorable Randolph A. Beales, attended William and Mary as well.

“This scholarship brings together two important parts of our mother’s life — southern Virginia and the College of William and Mary,” Walter Beales said. “Our family is delighted to be able to honor her by helping outstanding students from this region attend the school to which we all feel so connected.”

The Harriett Pittard Beales Scholarship assists with the cost of tuition for an incoming first year student from one of the following Virginia counties: Amelia, Appomattox, Brunswick, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Greensville, Halifax, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, Prince Edward and the city of Emporia. Recipients are selected based on academic secondary/preparatory school performance, extracurricular community activities and service, outstanding character and other personal achievements. All students from the localities listed above are automatically considered for this award once they have been admitted to William and Mary.