Pam Dudding
Contributing writer
As graduating seniors prepare for to start their college journey, many have received scholarships to lighten the financial loads.
This year, two Craig County High seniors received $1,000 scholarships from the Bobby Scruggs Memorial Foundation: Lauren F. Craddock who will be attending Radford University in the fall to study math and engineering and Jenna L. Bostic who will be attending Virginia Western Community College before transferring to Liberty University. Bostic says she wants to be an airline pilot one day.
For almost 40 years, Bobby Scruggs was a NASCAR Official. His wife of many years, Jackie Scruggs-Taylor, said, “Sadly, he lost his 13-year battle with cancer way too soon on January 22, 2005. His motto was, “Never give up, go over, go under, go around or go through, but never give up.”
His legacy continues through fundraising to offer scholarships to students seeking a career in areas of the motorsports or other industries, as well as to interns for Motor Racing Outreach (MRO) and the Wake Forest University Research Center.
Taylor noted, “One hundred fifteen scholarships have been awarded to students in 26 high schools in Southwest Virginia and there have been 15 interns for MRO Children’s Ministry.
Scholarships were also presented to students in other counties. They include:
- Elijah R. Boyd – Franklin County High School, who will be attending UVA-Wise, studying computer science
- Wesley R. P. Miller – Magna Vista High School, Henry County, who will be studying Motorsports at the Universal Technical Institute
- Victoria D. Pritchett – Magna Vista High School, Henry County, will be attending Virginia Tech and studying engineering
Taylor added, “The Scruggs’ Legacy continues through these students as they receive assistance to go into the world and motorsports. The NASCAR Family has been very supportive, and we are working to continue assisting students in the future.”
Cami Parsons, daughter of Phil Parsons, was an MRO intern for 2019. She is now a junior cheerleader at the University of North Carolina.
“She was an MRO Child and wanted to give back,” she said before adding, “Cami was one of the children in the Children’s Ministry Group. In fact, she was one of the little ones at Bristol singing the National Anthem.”
As a way to give back, she traveled with the MRO team and gave her summer to helping with their ministry. She went to 26 races and had Bible study, crafts, playtime and snacks while the races were running.
Billy Mauldin, President and Chaplain of Motor Racing Outreach, said, “Cami has truly been a special representative for us. During this pandemic, she has hosted Bible studies for the younger members of the MRO Group and NASCAR. She shared how much working with the children has meant to her and how it added to her life.”
Ministry is now focused on her future plans.
“We feel blessed to have her support for the ministry,” he continued. “They are there for NASCAR Family and most people never realize it. They do Bible studies for different groups, which several drivers and their wives host and support. It is a very different world out there now.”
“Bobby always told drivers and officials, ‘If today had not gone well, tomorrow would be a better day,’” Taylor said before adding, “Never-ever-ever-give up.”