2026 Scholarship Recipient at Franklin County High School

This year the Smith Mountain Lake Women’s Club (SMLWC) awards the 10th annual scholarship to a graduating female senior at Franklin County High School who has been actively involved in the community. The scholarship recipient must complete a scholarship package listing her activities that demonstrate her leadership values and teamwork in serving the community. The scholarship winner is required to explain her educational and career goals. The 2026 SMLWC Scholarship recipient is Miss Olga Vasquez, a graduating senior at Franklin County High School, and her goals are listed in the bio below:

Olga Vasquez

GPA: 4.29

Rocky Mount, VA

Attending: University of Virginia

““Following graduation, I plan to earn my Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the Nursing School of the University of Virginia and work as an intensive care unit nurse, developing expertise in critical care. As a bilingual caregiver, I hope to bridge the language and cultural barriers, ensuring patients and families are heard. Following this experience, I intend to pursue graduate school to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist, combining advanced clinical expertise with compassion to make a meaningful difference in the lives of every patient I serve. This path is deeply personal: I would be the first in my family to attend college and enter the medical field, honoring my parents’ sacrifices and the opportunities they have worked tirelessly to provide. Their sacrifices and unwavering support have given me the chance to achieve my dreams, and I am determined to honor them by building a career that impacts lives with skill, empathy, and integrity.”

Miss Vasquez's community service includes being a patient escort and translator at Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital and a volunteer firefighter with Rocky Mount Fire Department.

High School leadership, awards and activities include treasurer and representative for the Student Council Association, a member of the National Honor Society, and member of Health Occupations Students of America. She received the Academic Award for Fundamentals of Medical Terminology, became a Certified Administrative Medical Assistant through the National Health Career Association, and has been on the Honor Roll her entire high school career.

Miss Vasquez works at La Casa Del Burrito as a cashier, social media manager and peer trainer.

The members of Smith Mountain Lake Women’s Club hope you will join them in congratulating the 2026 SMLWC Scholarship recipient of Franklin County High School, Miss Olga Vasquez.