Salisbury, MD — The Eastern Shore Literacy Association (ESLA) is proud to announce Benjamin Jackson and Matthew Wrench as the recipients of this year’s Barbara S. Davis Scholarship. The annual scholarship honors Davis, an ESLA past president and membership chair, who retired from  Wicomico County Public Schools. Davis is remembered for her passion towards sparking the love of reading to all of her students and those in the local communities in which she served.

Jackson, a Snow Hill High School graduate, is planning to matriculate to Salisbury University and pursue a career in teaching secondary mathematics. “I hope to teach [children] to find a passion for learning, to strive for things they never imagined, to set and achieve far reaching goals, to find self-confidence, and to see the value of genuine kindness,” he wrote in his application. In addition to his passion for teaching, Jackson was active in Boy Scouts obtaining the rank of Eagle Scout in 2017 and volunteers with the Appalachia Service project helping repair homes for disadvantages people in parts of Appalachia.

Wrench, a Stephen Decatur High School graduate, is planning to matriculate to Towson University and pursue a career in teaching secondary history. “Matt is a hard worker who is always willing to accept challenges as he strived to improve his skills at the highest levels demanded of him while at the same time reaching out to others who were experiencing academic difficulties,” his teacher described him. In addition to high level of character, Wrench was active in the Teacher’s Academy program at Worcester Technical High where he passed the ParaPro Certification and volunteered at Ocean City Elementary in its after school program.

“Both of these young men are standout students and uphold the ideals found in Barbara S. Davis,” ESLA President Andrea Vandiver said in a statement. “She would be proud her legacy is helping young people afford attending a teacher education program and begin their path into the greatest profession available — teaching.”

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