Headwaters administers several endowed scholarship and award funds. The Headwaters Next Step Program also helps to oversee a number of other local scholarship programs, that are not endowed. Headwaters-administered scholarships and awards include:

Graham Hackley Scholarship
This scholarship in memory of the late E. Graham Hackley, beloved owner of Hackley’s store in Amissville, goes to a Senior with need and interest in business or agriculture, planning to attend a 4-year college, based on need. (Apply through RCHS Common Application.)

Liz Tole Elementary Education Endowment
Each year, the family of the late Liz Tole, former extraordinary volunteer at RCES, presents the "Liz Tole Educational Excellence Award" to a deserving RCES staff member who exhibits the traits of kindness, generosity of spirit, honesty, and commitment, traits for which Mrs. Tole was loved by adults and children alike. The previous winners select each year's recipient. Winners are announced at RCHS graduation.

RPM Scholarship
The RPM is an endowed scholarship fund in memory of a former Rappahannock county resident who struggled to be able to afford college. The RPM that goes to a current Senior or graduate of the class of 2005 or 2006 who has been enrolled in accredited institution since graduation. Preference is given to students with financial need who are the first in their family to attend college. This award is renewable for subsequent years of study. (Apply through RCHS Common Application.)

The Jeff MacNelly Art Award
Award for artistic achievement commemorating former Rappahannock resident Jeff MacNelly, three-time Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist who lampooned politicians and the pompous and still found time to create and draw the syndicated comic strip "Shoe.”

Lykes/Darden Scholarship
The Richard Lykes/Buddy Darden Endowed Scholarship is awarded to a Rappahannock County High School Senior who will enroll in accredited postsecondary institutions immediately after graduation. Richard Lykes Memorial Communications Scholarship gives preference to students who will study Journalism or Photography. Buddy Darden Memorial Architecture and Arts Scholarship funds gives preference to students who will study Architecture Design or the Arts.

Emily Jane Hilscher Passion Award
The Emily Jane Hilscher Passion Award is given to exceptionally passionate, creative, spirited young people who live in Rappahannock County. The beloved daughter of Eric and Elizabeth Hilscher, Emily Jane Hilscher was born 2 June with a special spark. She was a free spirit who knew how to dream big, reach for her dreams and help others reach for their dreams. Emily was murdered on 16 April 2007 along with 31 others on the Virginia Tech campus. Her family will mourn her loss forever, but celebrate the wondrous, yet short time, they had with her. Passion Award recipients are the kind of people Emily would have loved, and whose (perhaps hidden) potential she would have delighted in encouraging.

There is no application process for this award – candidates are nominated by teachers for consideration by the Hilscher family. Click here for more information on the Award and the nomination process.

Academic Achievement Awards
Each year since 1998, Headwaters has organized and funded the Academic Achievement Awards. Teachers from each class, grades 8 through 12, select students to honor. The awards go not only to those with high grade point averages, but also to students who have demonstrated a willingness to “give their all” as they work toward academic excellence. The awards are presented at an Annual Banquet in June, attended by teachers, honorees, and parents.

The Teacher Appreciation Luncheon
Every year in August, Headwaters holds a luncheon for all RCPS teachers, to thank them for their hard work, introduce Headwaters to the new teachers, and just give the staff a respite and an opportunity to gather and look forward to the new year. The Teacher Appreciation Luncheon is one of Headwaters' oldest and moved beloved programs. "It's a Godsend really — it's the most harried and crazy time of the year, and Headwaters swoops in, serves lunch, and talks to us about what they're going to do to help us out. We're getting our rooms ready, attending meeting upon meeting, and suddenly there's pizza, salad grown in the school gardens, cold drinks, and everybody getting together to have fun." —Karen Alexander.

Joseph and Lynne Horning Scholarship
scholarship for an African-American senior from Rappahannock County High School planning to attend a two or four year college/university.

James J. Kilpatrick Writing Award is awarded to Rappahannock County high school seniors who exhibits excellence in creative writing and is planning on attending college/university.