“I really like the Virginia Tech campus a lot,” says 18-year-old Thompson. “I’m going to miss my family a lot but there are about 8 Greene students going this year and I know all of them.”

Thompson will be the second in her family to go to Virginia Tech.

“My older sister went to Tech for 2 years and then to UVA where she graduated from the radiation program,” explains Thompson. “She works in Fredericksburg with cancer patients as a radiation therapist and has inspired me to go into some part of the medical field: dental, pharmacy or radiation.”

Thompson also credits youth pastors Mike and Christine Alley from Spring Hill Baptist Church as being an inspiration to her.

“I’ve been on a bunch of mission trips where they were leaders,” says Thompson. “They taught me to lead. Over the past 5 years we have been to South Carolina, Pennsylvania and parts of Virginia working on homes and parks and with children.”

Although Thompson is looking forward to experiencing independence and being on her own at Tech, she admits that time management may be the hardest thing about her first year.

“You have to manage your own time, especially your free time,” admits Thompson. “There is no one there to tell you to do what needs to be done.”

Thompson, who lives with her parents in Stanardsville sees her time in the Greene County school system as a great asset.

“The classes are smaller and you have more one-on-one with the teachers,” explains Thompson. “The teachers are there to give you any help you need.”

What would she say to this year’s class of William Monroe High School seniors?

“Stay involved in all the school activities. It is your last year so keep working hard because a lot of the classes you take in high school will be helpful in college.”

The Woman’s Club of Greene County has given scholarships to graduating William Monroe High School girls for more than 3 decades. Much of the funding comes from donations but the club holds a bazaar each year to raise money toward the scholarship.