Pam Dudding, Contributing writer
As many graduating seniors prepare for their college adventures, most are grateful to receive scholarships to lighten their financial loads.
This year, Autumn Hutchison, a graduating senior from Craig County, received a $1,000 scholarship from the Bobby Scruggs Memorial Foundation.
Hutchison plans to attend Virginia Western Community College for two years to study nursing and then transfer to Radford University.
Hutchison was very active during her high school career. Among her accolades include: Class President in 2019, 2020 and 2021; Fellowship of Christian Athletes from 2019 to present day, Prom Committee from 2019 to 2020, the school’s volleyball team from 2017 to 2020 (she was captain in 2019 and 2020), basketball from 2017 to 2021 which last two years as captain and softball from 2017 to 2021.
She also was an active volunteer:
- Craig County Recreation and Conservation Association Sports – Volunteer Youth basketball Coach in 2018 and 2019, Softball Umpire 2021
- School Mascot in the fall of 2018
- Botetourt Community Church, serving as Children’s Worship Assistant from 2017 to 2019 and PowerPoint Operator from 2018 to present day
- Travel Softball volunteer from 2015 to 2019
- Craig County Recreation and Conservation Association Sports as a basketball scoreboard operator and scorekeeper in 2020
- Organized Easter Egg Hunt for elementary school kids and read to them through outreach and community service; coordinated and held nursing home Christmas Party, participated in numerous food drives and assembled and provided care packages for local cancer patients
Additionally, Hutchison worked for Deskins, Inc – (April 2020 to August 2020), was a Nanny/Babysitter from September 2020 to present and Lasterday Market – (August 2020 to present).
Her other awards include: Inducted into BETA Club (2018), District Champions in Volleyball (2019), Second Team All-District in Volleyball (two years), Second Team All-District in basketball (one year), First Team All-District in basketball (one year), Second Team All-Region in basketball (one year), Honorable Mention All-District in softball (two years), Travel Softball with the Virginia Scrappers 16U, first-place in the Virginia State Games of America (Lynchburg), August 2019 (Gold Medal winners in 18U bracket and undefeated team for the entire tournament.
“It was a huge blessing to me,” said Hutchison. “I was honored to have been chosen. It meant a lot to receive a scholarship with so much meaning behind it.”
Bobby Scruggs was a NASCAR Official for almost 40 years. Shared his wife Jackie of all those years, “Sadly, he lost his 13-year battle with cancer much 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, “Over 115 scholarships have been awarded to students in 26 high schools in Southwest Virginia and there have been 15 interns for MRO Children’s Ministry.
A scholarship was also presented to Ethan Ellis of Franklin County High. His plans are to attend Penn State’s engineering field. Ellis was a member of the National Honor Society for two years, and Skills USA for one year. For four years, he ran cross country as well as indoor and outdoor track. He was also in Boy Scouts for seven years, ending as a Patrol Leader Eagle Scout.
Taylor added, “The Scruggs’ Legacy continues through these students as they receive assistance to go into the world of education and motorsports. The NASCAR Family has been very supportive, and we are working to continue assisting students in the future.”
Bobby, noted Taylor, always told drivers and officials, ‘If today had not gone well, tomorrow would be a better day.’ Never-ever give up.”
