Friends of Lake Glenville established the Doug Odell Scholarship Program to encourage and support our local community by offering an educational scholarship to graduating high school seniors. Each year, scholarships are awarded to one graduating senior in good standing from both Blue Ridge Early College (BREC) and Summit Charter School, as well as to one returning FLG Scholarship winner, if they qualify. All candidates and their families receive a complimentary 1-year Basic membership (a $50 value) to FLG just for applying.
This year’s field was highly competitive, with three (3) candidates applying from Blue Ridge Early College and six (6) candidates from Summit Charter School. Please join FLG in congratulating and honoring this year’s Doug Odell Scholarship recipients.
OLIVE KNOPS (Summit Charter School)
Olive Knops has been accepted to Clemson University where she plans to pursue a degree in Health Sciences: “Specifically Nutrition and Dietetics, which is an exciting journey that combines my passion for health, science, and helping others.” Olive is active with school activities and sports and has volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club of Plateau.
“As the first person in my family to pursue a college degree, I am very excited to take the next step in my journey. In college, I hope to expand my knowledge by taking innovative classes, helping others, and putting my interests into action.”
Summit Winners of 1-year Basic Membership to FLG: Rebecca Becker, Kendalyn Buck, Skye Dauble, Piper Grant, Keira Mathis
NAYELY MIRELES (Blue Ridge Early College)
Nayely Mireles has been accepted to Appalachian State University and plans a dual course of study in Economics and Business Administration. While in high school, she has volunteered with Rotary Youth Leadership, participated in Interact Club, and played Varsity Soccer.
“I want to be the first in my family to earn a college degree because it will make my parents proud. I see how much they have given up for me, so I want to be sure I succeed for me, and for them. I have seen so many students unable to pursue their college dreams because of financial and personal struggles and I want to be different. I want to challenge myself in college and return to help uplift my community. I want to be a role model for younger students so they will also want to go to college and succeed. I want to get involved on campus with other first-generation students.”
BREC Winners of a 1-year Basic Membership to FLG: Miguel Juan-Julian, Sophie Moody
BRADLEY BURNETTE (Returning Student, BREC)
Bradley Burnette is a 2024 Graduate of Summit Charter School and will be continuing his studies as a sophomore in Mechanical Engineering at NC State. As a Volunteer, he supports FLG with photography and videos of special events, including Member Meetings and the annual Lake Glenville Clean-Up.
“I am really interested in 3D printing. I think it is a lot of fun to design my own parts and solutions to everyday problems. Additionally, 3D modeling is something I will do in the future in the mechanical engineering field, so it is good to learn how it all works now.”
In 2024, Bradley helped remove trash along the shoreline, took photos, and created a short video showcasing the volunteers and boats in action, which was featured on FLG’s Facebook and Instagram pages, as well as the website.
Returning Student Winners of a 1-year Basic Membership to FLG: Holly Foss (2022 Graduate of BREC, 2025 Graduate of UNC Wilmington, Continuing Studies in Criminology), Kaila Lee (2024 Graduate of Summit and is continuing her studies at WCU with plans to attend Dental School), Paige McCall (2024 Graduate of BREC, 2025 Graduate of Southwestern Community College, Continuing Studies at WCU in Child Development/Psychology)
Thank you to our 2025 Scholarship Committee for all their hard work: Patrick Achey (Co-Chair & FLG Treasurer), Karen Odell (Co-Chair & FLG Secretary), Bill Duncan, Mark & Una Newman
