Steve Duncan and Rex Elliott made substantial contributions to Wilkes Acoustic Folk Society and the preservation of our musical heritage. In 2004 we began honoring their memories by offering an annual scholarship to attend the Swannanoa Gathering.
We are proud to announce the 2010 winner of the Duncan-Elliott Memorial Scholarship, Shay Lovette. Lovette is a student at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. Lovette graduated from Wilkes Central High School located in Wilkes County NC. Most of the year Lovette lives in Boone, however, his parents Rick and Beth Lovette reside in Purlear, NC. Lovette entered the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at MerleFest 2010 and placed third in the Country category. Lovette earned the privelege of performing on stage at MerleFest. Lovette cares deeply for traditional music and will carry on the WAFS mission of promoting and preserving music for our youth.
Since 1991, Warren Wilson College just east of Asheville has hosted a series of workshops in various folk arts during July and August known as the Swannanoa Gathering.
WAFS accepts applications for the Duncan-Elliot Memorial Scholarship, in the spring. The board decides on the scholarship winner the week following MerleFest. Applicants may print the application and mail it to the address on the form.
Past recipients of the Scholarship are Melanie Podbielski, Trish Wylie, Laura Ferguson, Ethan Haithcock, John Palmer, and James Wagoner. The 2010 recipient is Shay Lovette.
For more information about the Swannanoa Gathering, go to www.swangathering.com
