MOOREFIELD, W.Va. – Representatives from 40 & 8 Hardy County Voiture 1623 awarded four $500 nursing scholarships to Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College students on February 18, 2025. The scholarship recipients were Kelsie VanMeter, Brittany Goldizen, Madison Miller, and Tara LeeAnn Aylor. This is the second time these students have been awarded this scholarship and their second semester in the nursing program at Eastern. Joe Delawder, Steve Vaughn, Ken Bransky, Kris Jenkins, Leon Wolfe, and Robert Cross of 40 & 8 presented the checks.
For these students, the support of 40 & 8 is more than just financial assistance—it’s an investment in their future. “I am so grateful for 40 & 8 supporting my dreams of becoming a nurse,” said Aylor. “With the help of 40 & 8, I am able to focus more on schooling rather than financial strain. I appreciate the opportunity I have been given.”
“I am incredibly grateful for the 40 & 8 scholarship that I was granted! With this scholarship, I am blessed to be moving forward with my career,” said Kelsie VanMeter. “Thank you to all who choose to help me move forward and those who dedicate their generosity to my future! I’m beyond thankful for all those who believe in me.”
“I am honored to receive the 40 & 8 scholarship this semester. Receiving this scholarship will help with my nursing school expenses, allowing me more time to study,” said Madison Miller. “The 40 & 8 has helped relieve some financial burden this semester to help pursue my education career. This scholarship will help allow me to continue pursuing my dreams of coming back to my community to provide quality health care.”
“The 40 & 8 scholarship has been a source of motivation and encouragement. It has allowed me to focus on my academics, dedicate myself to my clinical training, and develop the skills necessary to provide compassionate and competent care to all patients,” said Brittany Goldizen. “Without this scholarship, balancing school, work, and personal responsibilities would have been much more difficult. I am one step closer to achieving my dream of becoming a registered nurse and making a difference in the lives of patients and their families. With this scholarship, I promise to work hard, give back to my community, and one day support future nursing students.”
The 40 & 8 was founded in 1920 by American Veterans returning from France after World War I. In 1955, they began their support for nursing education. Voiture 1623 of the 40 & 8, based in Moorefield, has been a longtime advocate and supporter of Eastern’s nursing students with this scholarship. “We enjoy the camaraderie (at 40 & 8) and making sure we have future nurses—it’s part of our mission,” said Joe Delawder. “Everything in our group is about getting nurses trained because that’s one of our priorities here. The Forty and Eight was founded for that very reason, to sponsor nurses after World War I, ensuring that no soldier would ever die from inadequate medical care again. The name itself comes from the French railcars that carried our troops—40 men or 8 horses—to the front lines. That tradition has carried on for over 100 years, and today, we continue working to support the next generation of nurses and medical professionals.”
Delawder also brought up concerns for the future of Forty and Eight, as they have seen an overall decrease in members over the years, even with new members joining. “The sad thing is, the Forty and Eight is dwindling because people don’t want to join and volunteer, just like the VFWs and other organizations,” Delawder explained. “It’s always the same few people wearing different hats, doing the work. But we keep trying, we keep going, and we’re even seeing some new members. There seems to be a shift happening in America, and I think we could see an improvement in volunteerism. We just have to keep pushing forward.”
In support of their nursing scholarship program, members of the 40 & 8 hold several fundraising events each year. Over the years, Voiture 1623 has awarded scholarships to numerous Eastern students, easing financial burdens and enabling them to pursue careers in nursing.
“We are proud to announce that four of our nursing students have been awarded scholarships through the generous support of the Forty & Eight. This scholarship opportunity plays a critical role in helping to offset some of the financial burdens associated with nursing school, enabling students to focus more on their education and clinical training,” said Alicia Van Meter, Eastern’s Nursing Program director, “Nursing programs are essential in preparing well-rounded, empathetic, and critical-thinking professionals who are equipped to provide excellent patient care. By supporting nursing education, the Forty & Eight are contributing to the development of healthcare professionals who possess the knowledge and compassion necessary to improve patient outcomes. These scholarships not only support students financially but also ensure that they are trained to be the next generation of nurses who will make a lasting impact in the healthcare field.”
Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College is deeply grateful for the Forty & Eight’s ongoing support, which plays a vital role in ensuring that the next generation of nurses is well-equipped to serve their communities and improve healthcare outcomes for years to come.
About the 40 & 8
La Société des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux (The Society of Forty Men and Eight Horses) membership is by invitation and open only to honorably discharged veterans and honorably serving members of the U.S. Armed Forces. The society was created in 1920 in the wake of World War I, and the name comes from the French railway boxcars that carried most of the soldiers to the front lines. The boxcars featured a sign indicating the boxcar’s capacity: 40 men/8 horses. The national organization’s mission to support nursing education began in 1955.
About Eastern’s Nursing Program
The nursing program at Eastern dates back to 2006 when Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College launched a nursing program division in Moorefield. With Southern’s permission, Eastern later adopted the program’s curriculum and earned independent program accreditation from the WV Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses. The two-year RN program, which admits new students every other year, is also accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
Eastern also offers the new LPN to RN Hybrid Bridge Program, which aims to prepare students for completion of the Associate in Applied Science Degree in Nursing in preparation to sit for the NCLEX examination. This program is to be completed over one year (three semesters) with graduation in the fall. The coursework is online, with clinicals combining virtual, simulation, and in-person experiences. For more information, visit https://easternwv.edu/academics/nursing-program/.