The 17th annual Katharine Church Awards will be held at 6 p.m. on April 23 at the Wind Lea Conference Center.
Three nominees have been chosen — Julie Hotchkiss, Christina Koontz, and Kourtni Roby.
Hotchkiss is the daughter of Karen Ravenscroft and Greg Hotchkiss of Keyser.
She’s been involved with cross country, track, concert band, Ski and Key Clubs, and wrestling during her tenure at Keyser High School — culminating to captain status during her senior year.
In addition, she has been involved in community activities such as open-running races, wrestling tournaments, 4-H, swimming pool lifeguard, volunteering at youth wrestling and Sunday School at Calvary United Methodist, and two-year, part-time work at the Keyser Dairy Queen.
Christna Koontz, daughter of Jim and Patsy Koontz of Keyser, has been involved in KHS varisty soccer (captain), basketball team (captain), KHS track, voted “Most Athletic,” and has represented Keyser High at various statewide sporting events.
Academically, Koontz has been a full-term honor roll student, is graduating in the top half of her class, held 12 college credit hours, and participated in the 2008 state HOSA competition, where KHS finished in third place.
She’s been involved in the Keyser Krazies, Key Club, and SADD.
Additionally, Koontz is a member of Grace United Methodist Church and has assisted in American Red Cross blood drives.
She’s an intern student Progessive Physical Therapy, and has taken piano lessons for six years.
Kourtni Roby, daughter of Jeff and Karen Roby of Keyser, has received a distinguished status on her writing assessment, has been on the honor roll for her full KHS tenure, is a Goldsworthy Scholar, and volunteers at Heartland of Keyser.
She’s working as an intern at Progressive Physical Therapy in Keyser and has completed coursework at the Mineral County Technical Center, including: Health Care Fundamentals; Concepts of Health Care; Clinical Concepts of Health Care; Medical Technology; and Diversified Clinical (a CNA program).
Roby is a member of the Allegany Baptist Temple.
Athletically, she’s been involved with the basketball team, lettered in varsity, played soccer and ran track, played in the senior all-star game, and has been active in track.
She’s been a member of HOSA, Key Club, Keyser Krazies, Ski Club, Youth Alive, SADD, and RAZE.
This is a small sample of what these Keyser High School seniors have achieved on the way to the Katherine Church nominations.
The Church Awards rose out of the lack of young women representation in academic, social, and civic endeavors, as young men were with the J. Edward Kelley Award.
They chose Katharine Church as the award namesake.
Church was a piano teacher who taught at Keyser High School and Potomac State College.
Friends remember Church as a remarkable, dignified woman with a great sense of humor.
As a young woman, Church was a missionary who spent time on an Indian reservation in Oklahoma.
She was an organist for the Presbyterian Church.
Church served as a role model, reminding students that academic, social, athletic, and civic education make a well-rounded school life and builds preparedness for the future.
Church passed away in 2002.