ALEF Selects Its Ninth Class of Extraordinary Fellows

The Appalachian Leadership and Education Foundation (ALEF) has completed its selection process for the 2014 ALEF India Class.  This is the ninth year that ALEF has put together a group of young men and women from West Virginia who have extraordinary leadership, academic, and social skills and who have great potential to be the leaders in our communities, in government, and in our businesses.  Each new Fellow exhibited the core values ALEF espouses – integrity, excellence, and service. 

“This class – our ninth class – is an exceptional group of young men and women.  We hope to provide them will opportunities to continue to enhance their character and leadership skills.  I am confident that a decade from now, these Fellows will be making a difference in both their professional and personal lives,” said General (ret) Robert H. “Doc” Foglesong, President and Founder of ALEF.

ALEF has graduated over 60 Fellows who are now in various professions across Appalachia and at various international locations.  They are educators, engineers, business men and women, lawyers, nurses, attending medical and other professional schools, and otherwise engaged in a wide variety of careers.  The India Class will join an additional 25 Fellows who are currently enrolled at Concord University, Shepherd University, or Marshall University.

2014 ALEF India Class:

	Sean Gagliardo graduated from Hampshire High School and lives in Capon Bridge, WV.  He will attend Shepherd University and major in biology.  Sean was a leader in sports as the Captain of the varsity soccer team, Captain of the varsity of the varsity tennis team, and Captain of the varsity swim team.  He was also active in both community and school activities and leadership roles.
	Levi Lambert will attend Concord University and major in accounting.  He lives in Oceana, WV and graduated from Westside High School.  Levi was very active in sports and was captain of both the football and basketball teams.  He was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Student Council.  He was also very active in community and school service organizations.
	Molly Lovern is from Bluefield, WV, and is a sophomore at Shepherd University where she is majoring in Chemistry.  She plans to attend medical school after she graduates.  Molly is the number one on the Shepherd University women’s tennis team.  She has outstanding grades, is a member of the Shepherd University Honors Program and is involved in a variety of campus service activities.  She was a National Merit Scholarship Finalist in high school and was valedictorian of her class.
	Meagan Moore will major in biology and attend Concord University.  She graduated from Greenbrier East High School and lives in Ronceverte, WV.  Meagan was very active in community service and had extraordinary grades.  She participated in numerous sports activities and was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.  Meagan was a member of the National Honor Society.
	Kyle O’Neal lives in Huntington, WV and will attend Marshall University.  He graduated from Spring Valley High School and will major in civil engineering at Marshall.  Kyle was very active in sports to include football, wrestling, and track.  He was a member of the National Honor Society, the Spanish Honor Society, and was a Booth Scholar.  He had extraordinary grades and was heavily engaged in service to both his school and his community.
	Paige Palmer graduated from Jefferson High School and will attend Shepherd University where she will major in elementary education.  She lives in Harpers Ferry, WV.  Paige was involved in community service and a member of the National Honor Society, Key Club, and President of her 4H Chapter.  Paige was a stellar student.
	Andrew Scarberry will attend Marshall University having graduated from Spring Valley High School.  He will major in civil engineering.  Andrew is from Huntington, WV.  He participated in both football and wrestling in high school and was a member of the National Honor Society.  He was a Booth Scholar and is an Eagle Scout.  Andrew is another ALEF Fellow who committed himself to service-before-self by performing numerous hours of community service.
	Ashley Taschner will attend Shepherd University and major in biology.  She graduated from Martinsburg High School and lives in Martinsburg, WV.  She was a member of the Key Club, Future Farmers of America, and heavily engaged in music throughout her high school career.  Ashely was engaged in numerous community and school volunteer work.  She has superb grades.
	Kelsey Walls lives in Matheny, WV and graduated from Westside High School.  She will attend Concord University and major in education.  She is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the National Honor Society, the student council, and numerous other school activities.  Kelsey was captain of the Westside varsity softball team.  She had many awards that recognized her academic and leadership accomplishments.

Meet the Fellows from other classes.