DATE: Friday, August 15, 1997               TAG: 9708140190

SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON   PAGE: 12   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY LORI A. DENNEY, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   49 lines

A TRIP TO THE MAILBOX BRINGS FRESHMAN $20,000 SCHOLARSHIP

It was a simple trip to the mailbox that left Jenifer Daniels screaming in delight one day this summer.

The normally subdued 18-year-old couldn't help but shout when she opened a letter notifying her that she'd won a $20,000 scholarship.

Daniels received the notice from Wal-Mart that she had been awarded a ``Competitive Edge'' scholarship to study computer science at Old Dominion University.

``I don't even remember applying for it!'' said Daniels, a Tallwood High School graduate.

Actually, Daniels didn't apply for the scholarship. The university nominated her for it. She becomes an official student at the Norfolk school later this month.

Daniels is the first student in the area to win the scholarship, said Tony Stidham, the Lynnhaven Wal-Mart store manager, after awarding Daniels a certificate at the store recently.

Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton established the scholarship in 1992 to, ``support science and technology students working towards a degree,'' said Gail Fought, the store's personnel manager.

Daniels already planned to attend ODU when she found out she had won the scholarship. She had planned to live at home while attending the university, but now that she, or the school, will receive $5,000 a year for four years on her behalf, she'll likely move to a dorm, she said.

Daniels graduated in June with a 4.01 grade point average, was in the honor society, served on the Student Council Association, was historian for the Technology Students Association and helps teach a preschool Sunday school class at St. Mark's Catholic Church.

The petite brunette plans to work in the software design and programming fields after she graduates, she said.

A native of New Mexico, she is the daughter of Carmen and Randal Daniels. Her hobby is photography and her room in her family's Alexandria home is filled with pictures she's taken. Last year, one of her photographs won first place in Tallwood High's Reflections PTA contest. The picture also earned her honorable mention in the school division, she said.

``She deserves it. She's worked very, very hard,'' said Mom, Carmen Daniels, who stood proudly beside her daughter as she accepted the certificate. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by LORI DENNY

The Lynnhaven Wal-Mart store manager, Tony Stidham, presents a

scholarship certificate to Jenifer Daniels.

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