The Jim and Betty Kenley Scholarship
To honor Jim and Betty Kenley, longtime leaders of the Mathews County Democratic Committee (MCDC), the Committee awards a $1,000 academic scholarship each year to a graduating student at Mathews High School who is pursuing higher education.
Students wishing to apply should see the guidance counselor after March 1 to obtain an application. Applications are due on a designated date near the end of April each year. The MCDC Scholarship Committee reviews all applications and recommends the student most deserving of the scholarship to the MCDC Executive Committee.
The application consists of six open ended questions which help the Scholarship Committee gain insight into the student's plans and aspirations, extracurricular and volunteer activities, sense of civic duty, and the sources which shape their view of public affairs.
The winner is announced first at the Mathews High School graduation ceremony. A check is delivered by a member of the MCDC after graduation. Later, MCDC announces the name of the award recipient in the Gloucester-Mathews Gazette Journal, with a photo of the award presentation (with approval from the awardee).
Sadly, Betty Kenley died in 2022. Jim now lives in a retirement community where he is active on social media, keeping up with his many friends and admirers in Mathews County.
Pictured is Jim and Betty Kenley, who were longtime leaders of Mathews County Democratic Committee.
Pictured is Norfleet Lewis,
2024 Scholarship winner with
Nan Cross of the MCDC