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(The following report appeared on the Business Journal of Tri-Cities website on June 3.)

KINGSPORT, Tenn. — The Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to award its 2004 Santa Train scholarship to Whitney Stump of Phelps High School, Pike County, Ky. The four-year scholarship is worth $5,000.

Stump maintains a 4.0 grade point average and is very active in her school and community. She’s been involved with the 4-H, Pep and Beta clubs; served on the yearbook staff, senior advisory council and student government association; worked as a camp and youth counselor at local churches; and played softball.

In addition, she’s been awarded the National Leadership Merit Award and has been listed in Who’s Who Among American High School Students for three years. She has also been listed on the National Honors Society and National Honor roll, among several other accolades she has received.

Following graduation, Stump will attend the National College of Business in Pikeville, Ky.

The Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce annually awards its Santa Train Scholarship to a graduating senior who attends a high school along the 110-mile Santa Train route between Kingsport and Pikeville. The recipient is chosen based on grade point average, extracurricular activities, work records and an advisor’s recommendation. Since the first scholarship was awarded in 1989, nineteen scholarships have been given, totaling $89,000.

Co-sponsored by the Kingsport Chamber and CSX Transportation, the Santa Train is an annual 110-mile train journey through Appalachia where volunteers from Kingsport take 15 tons of gifts, candies and toys to children in Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee. The Santa Train is now in its 62nd year.