The Appalachian Leadership and Education Foundation (ALEF) has completed its selection process for the 2006 ALEF Alpha Class. This is the first 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.
Jeremy
Brock
Shepherd
University
Dan
Ryan Builders Fellow
Jeremy Brock graduated from Berkeley Springs High School.
He is a gifted young man who has excelled in the areas
of education, community service and sports. Among his
accomplishments were WVSSAC Sportsmanship of the Year,
Attendance Award, 4-H President and lettered in three
sports. His community involvement includes, D.A.R.E.,
Youth Sports, Energy Express and FCA. Jeremy plans to
pursue a degree in Teacher Education.
Katelyn Curry
Concord
University
United
Bank Fellow
Katelyn
Curry graduated Summa
cum Laude (4.01 GPA
and above)from Winfield High School,
being one of seven to attain this designation out of 172
in her graduating class. Katelyn’s academic endeavors were impressive. Among
her leadership accomplishments were Girls State, National
Honor Society, recipient of the Superlative Award bestowed
by faculty and staff, member of the General Admission Show Choir and Generals Marching Band. Katelyn
participated in many community activities, including working
with the Special Olympics. Katelyn's passion
is writing and she wants to help others through expression by pursuing a teaching degree.
Katelyn is the recipient of numerous honors due
to her leadership abilities and outstanding work ethic.
Westley Jenkins
Shepherd
University
Charles
Town Races and Slots Fellow
Westley Jenkins graduated from Jefferson High School.
His uniqueness lies in his two affections, baseball and
farming. He graduated with honors and plans to play baseball
for Shepherd University. He was a member of 4-H, the Varsity
Club, and won the baseball title where he received his
graduation diploma on the mound. His work ethic and service
to his community is commendable in all areas. Westley
will pursue a business degree.
Brittany
Keys
Concord
University
Massey
Energy Fellow
Brittany Keys graduated from Greenbrier East High School.
She was student body president and a member of the National
Honor Society. Also included in her accomplishments were
Girl's State and the West Virginia Governors Academy.
She was a member of Health Occupation Students of America
where she served as a medical volunteer in various community
health efforts. She will pursue a medial career at Concord
University.
Brittany Kirkpatrick
Shepherd
University
Ken
Lowe Fellow
Brittany Kirkpatrick graduated Cum Laude from Jefferson
High School. Among her many accomplishments were President
of Future Business Leaders of America, member and organizer
of the system's vocal music programs, and a strong advocate
for social issues. She is most impressive in her work
ethic, and supporting herself through her senior year.
She plans to pursue a career in business and marketing.
Alex Lemley
Shepherd
University
The
Douglas V. Reynolds Fellow
Alex Lemley graduated from Huntington High School. Her
unusual zest for life is apparent in all she aspires to
achieve. Her accomplishments were Cum Laude-National Latin
Exam, Young Republicans, National Honor Society, and Yearbook
Editor and Chief. Alex is an avid softball player and
was co-captain for her high school softball team. She
has been an advocate for her community and the manager
of her local ice cream shop. She will pursue a career
in mass communications.
Jonathan Lester
Concord
University
James
H. "Buck" Harless Fellow
Jonathan Lester graduated from Gilbert High School. His
accomplishments range from community service leader, football
player, and an Advanced Placement Honors recipient just
to name a few. Jonathan has an impeccable work ethic including
a range of responsibilities. He has been accepted into
the pre-med program at Concord University.
Robert
McDonough
Shepherd
University
United
Bank Fellow
Robert McDonough graduated from Jefferson High School.
He is to be commended for his admirable work ethic, working
full time throughout his high school years. He was chosen
as the esteemed First in Your Family Education Scholarship
Program and was a member of the HI-Y program. He led the
30 hour famine activity during his high school years to
raise money and awareness for the plight of the undernourished.
He will pursue a teacher education degree at Shepherd
University.
"ALEF and everyone who is part of it, is number one! Looking
forward to a lifetime of ALEF; not just 4 years." Robert
McDonough, ALEF Fellow Shepherd University.
John
Meadows
Concord
University
The
Carter Family Foundation Fellow
John Meadows graduated from Independence High School and
was a member of the National Honor Society, first place
winner of the E-Management Contest at WV DECA Conference,
and a member of the National Technical Honor Society.
He is an avid sportsman participating in cross country,
track, soccer, wrestling and is a marathon runner. He
has over 103 hours of community service with HI-Y Camp
of West Virginia.
Monica
Oglesby
Concord
University
Jackson
Kelly PLLC Fellow
Monica Oglesby graduated from Independence High School.
She is an accomplished young woman with a strong commitment
towards education. She was a member of the National Honor
Society, Who's Who Among America’s High School Students,
Young Democrats of America, Fellowship of Christian Athletes
and Project Graduation. Monica is a gifted artist and
an impassioned athlete. Her work in the community has
been a beacon to others. She has been accepted to the
pre-law program at Concord University.
Brittany
Salmons
Concord
University
Kapourales
Properties Fellow
Brittany
Salmons graduated from Wyoming East High School and was
a member of the National Honor Society of High School
Scholars and Youth in Government. She was a member of
HI-Y, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and West Virginia
Youth Action Council. She was selected to be a Bonner
Scholar due to her impeccable community service accomplishments.
Ms. Salmons plans to pursue a career and will be majoring
in teacher education and pre-law at Concord University. Brittany recently graduated from Concord a year early and is attending West Virginia University graduate school.
Aaron Stepp
Concord
University
Massey
Energy Fellow
Aaron Stepp graduated from Westside High School and is
an exemplary young man with a superb work ethic. His many
accolades include, National Honor Society, High School
Citizenship Award, Faculty Award, President of the Student
Council, United States Achievement Academy, Member of
Outstanding Students of America and heads his own lawn
business. Aaron also leads the Fellowship of Christian
Athletes as president and recently went to Ecuador as
a team member to build a church. His community has benefited
from his extreme activism and service-before-self attitude.
He is member of the Samaritan Heart Food Pantry which
delivers to the needy and elderly. He has received numerous
honors from Concord University where he plans to study
biology.
Luke
Stevens
Concord
University
Dan
Moore Fellow
Luke Stevens graduated from Wyoming County East High School.
His accomplishments include captain of the football and
baseball team where he was an Academic Letterman, Student
Government Representative, recipient of the prestigious
Order of the Arrow Award from Boy Scouts of America, and
the National Honor Society. He has an impeccable work
ethic and exhibits service-before-self in all endeavors.
Luke will pursue a teaching degree and be a member of
the Concord University football team.
Gavin
Ward
Concord
University
The
John C. Allen Fellow
Gavin Ward graduated from Independence High School. He
was on the Highest Honor Roll throughout his high school
years, a member of the BETA Club, and Fellowship of Christian
Athletes. His accomplishments were the AP Chemistry Award,
National Honor Society and Vice President of the Young
Democrats where he expanded the organization to one of
the largest chapters in the State. Amid his sustainable
efforts are those to the Beckley Renaissance where his
leadership skills enhanced a variety of constructive causes
for the betterment of his community.
Jeffrey
Yeager
Concord
University
United
Coal Company Fellow
Jeffrey Yeager graduated from Wyoming County East High
School. He is an avid writer and public speaker, member
of the National Honor Society, Senior Class President,
and started the Salvation Army Project of Pineville helping
to assist rural families in need. Jeff is the recipient
of many scholarships and honors. He is proudest of being
chosen to represent the ALEF as the Inaugural Class of
2006. He will pursue a degree in History and possibly
law.
Jeremy Brock graduated from Berkeley Springs High School.
He is a gifted young man who has excelled in the areas
of education, community service and sports. Among his
accomplishments were WVSSAC Sportsmanship of the Year,
Attendance Award, 4-H President and lettered in three
sports. His community involvement includes, D.A.R.E.,
Youth Sports, Energy Express and FCA. Jeremy plans to
pursue a degree in Teacher Education.
Westley Jenkins graduated from Jefferson High School.
His uniqueness lies in his two affections, baseball and
farming. He graduated with honors and plans to play baseball
for Shepherd University. He was a member of 4-H, the Varsity
Club, and won the baseball title where he received his
graduation diploma on the mound. His work ethic and service
to his community is commendable in all areas. Westley
will pursue a business degree.
Brittany Keys graduated from Greenbrier East High School.
She was student body president and a member of the National
Honor Society. Also included in her accomplishments were
Girl's State and the West Virginia Governors Academy.
She was a member of Health Occupation Students of America
where she served as a medical volunteer in various community
health efforts. She will pursue a medial career at Concord
University.
Brittany Kirkpatrick graduated Cum Laude from Jefferson
High School. Among her many accomplishments were President
of Future Business Leaders of America, member and organizer
of the system's vocal music programs, and a strong advocate
for social issues. She is most impressive in her work
ethic, and supporting herself through her senior year.
She plans to pursue a career in business and marketing.
Alex Lemley graduated from Huntington High School. Her
unusual zest for life is apparent in all she aspires to
achieve. Her accomplishments were Cum Laude-National Latin
Exam, Young Republicans, National Honor Society, and Yearbook
Editor and Chief. Alex is an avid softball player and
was co-captain for her high school softball team. She
has been an advocate for her community and the manager
of her local ice cream shop. She will pursue a career
in mass communications.
Jonathan Lester graduated from Gilbert High School. His
accomplishments range from community service leader, football
player, and an Advanced Placement Honors recipient just
to name a few. Jonathan has an impeccable work ethic including
a range of responsibilities. He has been accepted into
the pre-med program at Concord University.
Robert McDonough graduated from Jefferson High School.
He is to be commended for his admirable work ethic, working
full time throughout his high school years. He was chosen
as the esteemed First in Your Family Education Scholarship
Program and was a member of the HI-Y program. He led the
30 hour famine activity during his high school years to
raise money and awareness for the plight of the undernourished.
He will pursue a teacher education degree at Shepherd
University.
John Meadows graduated from Independence High School and
was a member of the National Honor Society, first place
winner of the E-Management Contest at WV DECA Conference,
and a member of the National Technical Honor Society.
He is an avid sportsman participating in cross country,
track, soccer, wrestling and is a marathon runner. He
has over 103 hours of community service with HI-Y Camp
of West Virginia. 
Monica Oglesby graduated from Independence High School.
She is an accomplished young woman with a strong commitment
towards education. She was a member of the National Honor
Society, Who's Who Among America’s High School Students,
Young Democrats of America, Fellowship of Christian Athletes
and Project Graduation. Monica is a gifted artist and
an impassioned athlete. Her work in the community has
been a beacon to others. She has been accepted to the
pre-law program at Concord University.
Brittany
Salmons graduated from Wyoming East High School and was
a member of the National Honor Society of High School
Scholars and Youth in Government. She was a member of
HI-Y, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and West Virginia
Youth Action Council. She was selected to be a Bonner
Scholar due to her impeccable community service accomplishments.
Ms. Salmons plans to pursue a career and will be majoring
in teacher education and pre-law at Concord University. Brittany recently graduated from Concord a year early and is attending West Virginia University graduate school. 
Aaron Stepp graduated from Westside High School and is
an exemplary young man with a superb work ethic. His many
accolades include, National Honor Society, High School
Citizenship Award, Faculty Award, President of the Student
Council, United States Achievement Academy, Member of
Outstanding Students of America and heads his own lawn
business. Aaron also leads the Fellowship of Christian
Athletes as president and recently went to Ecuador as
a team member to build a church. His community has benefited
from his extreme activism and service-before-self attitude.
He is member of the Samaritan Heart Food Pantry which
delivers to the needy and elderly. He has received numerous
honors from Concord University where he plans to study
biology.
Luke Stevens graduated from Wyoming County East High School.
His accomplishments include captain of the football and
baseball team where he was an Academic Letterman, Student
Government Representative, recipient of the prestigious
Order of the Arrow Award from Boy Scouts of America, and
the National Honor Society. He has an impeccable work
ethic and exhibits service-before-self in all endeavors.
Luke will pursue a teaching degree and be a member of
the Concord University football team.
Gavin Ward graduated from Independence High School. He
was on the Highest Honor Roll throughout his high school
years, a member of the BETA Club, and Fellowship of Christian
Athletes. His accomplishments were the AP Chemistry Award,
National Honor Society and Vice President of the Young
Democrats where he expanded the organization to one of
the largest chapters in the State. Amid his sustainable
efforts are those to the Beckley Renaissance where his
leadership skills enhanced a variety of constructive causes
for the betterment of his community.
Jeffrey Yeager graduated from Wyoming County East High
School. He is an avid writer and public speaker, member
of the National Honor Society, Senior Class President,
and started the Salvation Army Project of Pineville helping
to assist rural families in need. Jeff is the recipient
of many scholarships and honors. He is proudest of being
chosen to represent the ALEF as the Inaugural Class of
2006. He will pursue a degree in History and possibly
law.