WOW Scholarships

Women of Waynesville recently awarded two $1,500 scholarships to graduating Haywood County Schools seniors, Kaylee Highsmith and Kalie Cochran. 

WOW established the Lynda Chovan Memorial Scholarship through the Haywood County Schools Foundation in 2017 in memory of Chovan, who was a founding member of WOW. WOW added a second memorial scholarship two years ago in honor of another beloved member who passed away, Rebecca Benhart. Both of these women believed in the value of public education and community service, which is why WOW scholarship recipients are women who plan to pursue careers in helping professions. 

Tuscola High graduate Kaylee Highsmith plans to get her associate's degree at Haywood Community College and become an EMT. When she isn't at school, she volunteers to help with children's church and works as a latchkey worker at Jonathan Valley Elementary. She works at Subway.

Also a Tuscola High school graduate, Kalie Cochran plans to attend HCC and go to nursing school. In her extra time, she helps as a media assistant in the library to help students with computer issues or research. In her health science class, she's been able to visit nursing homes to help them with learning new skills. She will have her CNA certification by the end of this year. She also volunteers at the VFW and other nonprofit groups.