CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Keira Smith has been busy beginning her junior year at George Washington High School in Charleston preparing for what’s next in her academic career and searching for scholarships.
Smith won’t have to search any longer as she was awarded on Thursday with a full-ride college scholarship to anywhere in West Virginia as part of “Do it for Babydog: Round 2” Vaccination Sweepstakes.
Gov. Jim Justice and his pet Babydog, along with Smith’s family and classmates surprised her in the parking lot of George Washington with the prize.
“It’s going to help a lot. It’s just so crazy to be able to have this,” she told the media.
“This is really crazy. It’s really nice to be able to have this scholarship.”
Smith said had been looking for help with attaining scholarships for gymnastics in college, wanting to continue her competition. She said West Virginia University would be a top choice of schools at the moment.
She said that she got her first vaccine dose towards the end of the 2020-21 school year and encouraged others to get the shot.
Other full-ride college scholarship winners announced on Thursday included Benjamin Baker of Spencer, Rocco DiGiandomenico of Wheeling and Caleb Stewart of Flemington.
Congratulations to Wheeling Park’s Rocco DiGiandomenico who is a “Full Ride College Scholarship Winner” in Governor Justice’s “Do it for Babydog” vaccine lottery!!! Rocco will be featured tonight on @WTRF7 and @WTOV9!!!#experienceTHEPARK#TogetherWeAchieve pic.twitter.com/Ar78SPnM5I
— Ohio County Schools (@OhioCounty1) September 2, 2021
Justice was on the road on Thursday giving away more prizes including a 2021 BMW M240i coupe. He gave the keys to the sports car to Beth Eaves of Branchland in Lincoln County outside of Joan C. Edwards Stadium in Huntington.
Standing next to Eaves, Matthew Hill of Huntington was presented the keys to a Bennington pontoon boat, complete with a 50hp Yamaha High Thrust outboard motor and an accompanying trailer. Hill works as a parole officer with the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation – was presented the keys to a Bennington pontoon boat.
Other prize winners for Round 2 of the giveaways include:
$150,000 Dream Wedding Winner
Sheila Parks, Williamstown
Free Gas for 10 Years Winners
Evelyn Hudson, Proctor
Beth Layton, Charleston
WVU Football/Basketball Season Ticket Package Winners
Tammi Arnott, Paw Paw
Jeffrey Mullins, Charleston
James Sturgill, Fort Gay
Marshall Football/Basketball Season Ticket Package Winners
Angela Friend, Exchange
Lennie Shaw, Nutter Fort
Kaylee Welch, Flemington
Ski Resort Season Passes Winners
Roger Mansfield Amorese, Elkins
Vickie Ganim, South Charleston
Michael Graham, Mount Carbon
Clinton Kirk, Alderson
Meghan Perkins, Hurricane
Premium ATV / Side-by-Side Winners
Angela Colbird, Herndon
Emily Harper, South Charleston
Top-of-the-line Zero Turn Lawn Mower Winners
Tina Elliott, Follansbee
James Whitmore, Oak Hill
Round 2 is scheduled to last until October 3. The deadline to enter for the next lottery is Sept. 5 and the drawing will be Sept. 7.