Culture
OVST Selects Students for Sherow/OVST Memorial Scholarship
< < Back toIn 2016, Ohio Valley Summer Theater (OVST) received a significant estate gift to the organization’s Ohio University Foundation endowment. The gift was made possible by the generosity of Yvonne Sherow Emerson, daughter of OVST founding members Vic and Marjorie Sherow, and sister to local Athens residents Stephanie Goldsberrry, Myrdith Sherow and Gregor Sherow, all of whom have appeared on the OVST stage.
In honor of the family, the OVST board established The Marjorie and Yvonne Sherow/OVST Memorial Scholarship. The annual scholarship benefits an Athens County high school student seeking a degree from the Theater Division at Ohio University, with first preference given to an Athens High School senior who has been involved with OVST’s seasons and who demonstrates financial need. Second preference is given to any Athens County high school senior who had been involved with OVST’s seasons and who demonstrates financial need. The inaugural scholarship recipient was Elizabeth Hall.
OVST has selected Bailey Barrows to receive the 2017 Marjorie and Yvonne Sherow/OVST Memorial Scholarship. Bailey is a 2017 graduate of Athens High School and will be attending Ohio University as a Theater major. In addition to serving on various crews, Bailey is currently the Assistant Stage Manager for OVST’s production of Hairspray.
“OVST is honored to be remembered by Yvonne’s gift and by the family that has given so much to OVST over its 66 years of producing live theater for our community,” said Board President, Michael Comperchio.
OVST Executive and Artistic Director Dr. Christi Camper Moore said supporting local arts organizations through estate gifts is a particularly poignant and moving way to leave a legacy that champions future regional artists.
“The lasting impact extends well beyond what a young artist can learn about their art. This type of support for young artists enables them to explore the world they live in by engaging more deeply with new ideas and subject matter. The opportunity to learn through integrating the arts into life experiences is central to the development of the whole person: one who, in turn, meaningfully contributes to and engages with their community.”
The Ohio Valley Summer Theater is a non-profit organization that provides sustainable, educational, and independent community theater opportunities to the community. For more information about OVST and its summer 2017 production of Hairspray, visit ovst.org, find it on Facebook or email ohiovalleysummertheater@gmail.com.