News Detail

Commissioners Present First “We Support You” Veterans Scholarship to JB Grad Jacob Troupe

The Board of Commissioners presented the first We Support You Scholarship to Jacob Troupe, a recent graduate of James Buchanan High School.

Veterans Affairs

October 01, 2020

A group of people, some wearing masks, stand indoors. One person holds a certificate. A virtual participant is visible on a screen in the background.
Above photo (right to left): Veterans Affairs Director Justin Slep, Commissioner John Flannery, Jacob Troupe (remote), Mark Troupe, Kelly Troupe, Commissioner Chairman Dave Keller, and Commissioner Bob Ziobrowski

The Board of Commissioners presented the first We Support You Scholarship to Jacob Troupe, a recent graduate of James Buchanan High School.

Veterans Affairs Director Justin Slep presented highlights from Jacob’s application.  Jacob Troupe graduated with highest honors status in the top 1% of his class. Not only did he excel in his studies, but Jacob was very active throughout his high school career in marching and concert band, indoor percussion, drama club, chorus, mess voce chorus, varsity tennis and varsity cross country. He was also a National Honor Society Member and Tri-M Honor Society Member.

“[Jacob] has taken probably the most rigorous course load possible for a student at our school … I don’t know that I have seen a more rigorous transcript at our school,” Lynn Troutman, a guidance counselor at James Buchanan High School, wrote as part of Jacob’s application.

Jacob attended Wednesday’s Board of Commissioners meeting remotely. Accepting the $2500 scholarship award on his behalf was his father, Mark Troupe, Corporal, USMC 1982-1986 Field Radio Operator and step-mother Kelly Troupe.

Jacob is currently attending Virginia Tech University with a major in history and is considering a second degree in national security and foreign affairs or political science. He is also enrolled as a US Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) cadet and is a member of the University’s Corps of Cadets. He is the recipient of a 4 year ROTC National Scholarship. Upon graduation, he will be commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army with an 8 year service obligation.

“It’s an honor for us to support the work that young people in our community are doing,” said Commissioner Chairman Dave Keller. “We’re thrilled to be able to show a token of our appreciation for your service,” he added. Commissioners John Flannery and Bob Ziobrowski expressed their gratitude to veteran Mark Troupe for his service and congratulated Jacob on his honors and award.

The Franklin County Veterans Affairs We Support You Scholarship program provides financial support to an area veteran’s dependent. Eligible applicants are high school seniors residing in Franklin County who plan to pursue a course of study in an accredited higher learning institution and who are in need of financial assistance. A portion of the funds come from donations to the Franklin County Veterans Outreach Fund which are reserved for the creation of a scholarship program. Applications for the 2021 We Support You Scholarship are available through school guidance counselors or by contacting the Veterans Affairs Office at (717) 263-4326.