NEW MATAMORAS – Frontier High School graduate Cadence Cline was awarded the inaugural $1,000 Brenda Charlene Reed DeGori Memorial Scholarship on June 12.

The scholarship check will be sent directly to West Virginia University at Parkersburg, where Cline is registered to begin a program in education this fall.

The award was created to honor Brenda DeGori by her husband, Domenic DeGori, and was designed for a student who exemplifies Brenda’s personality, achievements and career path, he said.

“Brenda was a wonderful person and an excellent teacher,” Domenic DeGori said. “She was very modest and humble about her accomplishments, and I want to honor her memory by helping a student who has those same traits and goals.”

Brenda DeGori was a 1965 graduate of Newport High School, where she was valedictorian, a member of the Honor Society, class officer, and involved in many other activities. She received a scholarship to attend Salem College, excelling academically while working to help put herself through school, and later earned a master’s degree from Loyola University.

She began teaching ninth grade English in Maryland, continuing to gather multiple accomplishments – including Who’s Who Among American Teachers twice – while also raising two sons. Upon retirement, the couple moved back to Marietta where she actively volunteered for organizations including the hospital and theater.

Though DeGori himself is a Pennsylvania native, after reviewing his wife’s senior yearbook and realizing that was the year Frontier Local was formed, he felt a connection to the district and reached out to the board office about the possibility of a scholarship in her memory.

Cline was surprised, but very appreciative to receive the scholarship.

“I enjoyed learning about Mrs. DeGori, and I am honored to be chosen for this award,” Cline said. “I am so grateful for the assistance, and I hope to make the family proud.”