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The Franklin-Southampton Area Chamber of Commerce presented the 2021 Donna C. McCullough Chamber Scholarship to Alexis Clapp.

In a recent news release, the chamber noted it is committed to supporting educational attainment in the community. Presented since 1995, this annual scholarship award for a graduating high school senior honors Donna C. McCullough, who served as executive director of the chamber from 1976-2004. 

Clapp recently graduated eighth in her class and received an advanced diploma at Southampton High School. This scholarship provides recognition for involvement and service to the community, demonstrated leadership and academic achievement. 

While attending Southampton, Clapp also participated in dual enrollment at Camp Community College, receiving her Early Childhood Education Certificate in May. 

Working approximately 30 hours per week for multiple families as a child care provider, Clapp assisted with children’s virtual learning, completing assignments, supervising indoor and outdoor activities, preparing healthy meals and snacks and providing scheduling assistance and transportation to extracurricular activities. She is certified in CPR and first aid.  

Clapp serves her community as a member of the Courtland Volunteer Fire Department where she obtained her Firefighter I and Hazmat Awareness and Operations certifications. 

Courtland Fire Chief Justin Forrest noted, “While she had a full workload of classes in high school, including college credit classes, she gave up her Tuesday and Thursday nights and weekends for several months to attend class, study and prepare for her state exams for these certifications. Alexis is a hardworking member that I have come to rely on.  

“Whether it is helping with a fundraiser to keep our department funded or running a fire call in the middle of the night, she has a strong commitment to keep her community safe with whatever service she can provide,” he added. 

In addition to volunteering for the fire department for four years, Clapp has been active with the Girl Scouts and the Courtland United Methodist Youth Group.

Working as a child care provider since 2018, Clapp also found time to participate in a variety of extracurricular activities, such as junior varsity and varsity volleyball, varsity tennis and Future Farmers of America. Leadership roles included treasurer of the Southampton High School Key Club, Beta Club board member and co-captain of the Southampton volleyball team. She was also a member of the National Honor Society from 2019-21.  

In answering the essay question on improving the quality of life in our community, Clapp focused on how to increase workforce education. With concern about the local high school’s high dropout rate and its effect on new and existing businesses, she proposed several creative solutions.

“Teachers should encourage students that are likely to drop out to pursue a GED,” she wrote. “These classes should be offered at the schools during regular hours and treated like a regular class. Also, job skills training could be held in different localities to obtain a certification of job readiness so that the individual will be more attractive to employers.”    

Clapp is the daughter of Mandy Futrell and will attend Virginia Tech this fall.