Legacy of Excellence
Scholarship and Application
Bob Buchanan shows a reporter Falcon Stadium under construction in the summer of 1977.
Bob Buchanan was an excellent Abingdon High School teacher and coach who remains an enduring model of inspiration for current students and instructors. To honor his tremendous influence, several AHS alumni have established the Bob Buchanan Legacy of Excellence Scholarship.
The first award will be presented in the spring of 2023 to an AHS senior who: 1) needs financial assistance to continue their education and 2) has demonstrated an interest in fulfilling their career locally.
More specifically, the recipient will be a student who:
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has been consistently involved in one or more extracurricular activities while attending AHS;
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is in good academic standing with a GPA of 3.0 or higher;
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is a role model to their peers;
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exemplifies the many traits of Bob Buchanan: integrity, fortitude, selflessness, passion, compassion and humility; and
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plans to attend college.
The Bob Buchanan Legacy of Excellence Scholarship offers $3,000 for up to four years while the applicant is enrolled in a college curriculum. The scholarship’s selection committee will notify the winner, who will be recognized at a presentation ceremony. The winner will be expected to participate in future award ceremonies recognizing subsequent winners.
The Bob Buchanan Legacy of Excellence Committee is committed to equal employment and educational opportunity for all qualified persons. This committee does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or disability.
I have known Bob Buchanan’s family my whole life. Since I am a few years older than Bob, we have been friends for his entire life. Damascus, Virginia, in the ’50s and ’60s, was a different place and time than today. One young man outstanding from the group was quiet and soft-spoken, and that was Bob. The Damascus Methodist Youth Group was a shared activity we had. It was a big group when we came up.
Later, I had the opportunity to work with Bob at Abingdon High School, where we both taught for many years. He had the same friendly, quiet demeanor that we all knew.
I was able to retire from teaching in 1993. After retirement, our friendship and his personality were still the best. Just tops. We spoke every Sunday at church until Bob passed away. Our time there is not the same without him.
I cannot think of a better way to honor his dedication to the community than by helping a deserving student.