Athlete Hits Home Run With Scholarship Program

BY BRYNN ROBERTSON
SPECIAL TO THE HERALD COURIER

As an athlete, Katlin Wohlford played softball, volleyball and basketball for the home squad. As a Castlewood High School student, she earned top grades and made the honor roll. As a teenager, she held down a part-time job – as a pharmacy technician.
Somewhere in between, the Castlewood resident squeezed in a lot of volunteer time for her community and church.
“I am ... very proud of my volunteer work,” Wohlford said. “I’ve done Meals on Wheels and animal therapy as well as organizing food drives and other fundraisers for people in the community through church, at Fort Gibson United Methodist. I think it is important to get good grades but also to be well rounded and be able to give back.”
Among the rewards for those efforts, Wohlford is the second member of her family to hit a home run with the Phillip Morris Tobacco Leaders Scholarship program.
The $4,000 scholarship – based on merit – was awarded to less than 100 students this year. Wohlford’s older brother, George, had received one before her.
Mom Gina Wohlford said she is proud of both of her children, and thankful for the scholarships. The TLP, as it is known in the region, is a coveted award for children of tobacco farmers, the family said.
“They have made it possible for my husband and I to put two kids through college,” Gina Wohlford said.
The Wohlford family has been growing tobacco in Castlewood since the 1990s, Katlin Wohlford said. “I’ve lived here since the beginning,” she said, laughing, “we’ve only moved once and it was up the hill.”
The TLP is just one of several scholarships Katlin Wohlford has received. She also received awards from the Rotary Club, the Sarah Lowe Thompson Foundation, the Russell County Foundation, and a few from her high school.
She’ll be using the money to attend Virginia Tech, where her brother is a student, though she hasn’t focused on a particular field of study.
“It is hard to decide what you want to do,” Wohlford said. “My mom is in education and I like that. I like law and marketing. I liked doing forensics in school. I guess I like a lot of things but if I could still be near the people I love, I’d be a freelance journalist. I would love to travel and write about topics that interest me. You’d get to see everywhere!”
Wohlford lights up as she describes visiting other cities in the United States and in Mexico. She said she wants a career that might take her to places with different cultural experiences.
As for her college choice, Wohlford said it came down to atmosphere.
“I had always dreamed of going to Duke and I was accepted to a few other schools as well, but VT just felt right,” she said.
Even though she is undecided on a major, Wohlford said, she knows, “when I eventually decide I know I will be good at it. I am a hard worker and I am self-motivated and I know what it takes to succeed. I’m excited!”
Gina Wohlford said her pride in her daughter stems from the teen’s character.
“She is independent and more of a leader than a follower and that is just great,” Gina Wohlford said. “I want her to do what makes her happy and I know she will.”
Katlin said her parents inspire her more than anyone.
“I’ve had coaches and teachers and friends who have been great but most definitely my parents [inspire me,]” she said. “I lead because they push me. I am my best because they are behind me. My brother is always there too. It will be different being at VT with him but it is nice to know he will be there if I need him. I am really fortunate.”