RIPLEY – A Ripley student is one of four American Institute of Architecture WV/West Virginia Foundation for Architecture Fellows for 2021/22.
Fairmont State University student Mary Pierson-Escalona received the $1,500 Jeffrey Mayfield Prize.
“This scholarship not only helps me achieve my goal of becoming an architect, but also encourages me to keep doing what I love,” she says. “I am beyond thrilled that my hard work has been recognized.”
Pierson-Escalona was born and raised in Venezuela. Her family moved to Ripley when she was 16.
In grade 7, a compulsory drawing class made her fall in love with the idea of being an architect and she has continued to feel that way ever since. Once it was time to find a university to further my education, she considered the options and decided to attend Fairmont State University.
Since 1986, AIA West Virginia has awarded 131 students more than $314,000 in scholarships.
