Two talented students from Washington County have been awarded the prestigious 2025 Donna Campbell Award for Excellence, administered by Artsbridge and established by renowned American Pops Orchestra conductor Luke Frazier. The scholarship recognizes outstanding young artists in the region who are committed to pursuing careers in the fine arts.
This year’s recipients are Alex Long, a senior at Fort Frye High School, and Hanna Richmond, a senior at Belpre High School. Each student will receive a $1,500 scholarship to support their continued education in the arts.
The Donna Campbell Award for Excellence was created in 2019 by Maestro Luke Frazier, a Parkersburg native and founder of the American Pops Orchestra.
The scholarship honors his grandmother, Donna Campbell, and is managed through Artsbridge, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting and promoting the arts in the Mid-Ohio Valley. The award is open to graduating seniors in the Artsbridge service area who plan to major in one of the fine arts at a college or university.
Alex Long has been deeply involved in the arts throughout her high school years. From Theater Club to advanced art classes ranging from Art 1 to Art 4 and an Independent Study, she has made the most of every artistic opportunity at Fort Frye High School.
Her passion for music and creativity has led her to pursue a future in the music industry. She plans to attend the University of Northern Colorado, where she will major in music business and recording arts. Long hopes to work in music production or audio engineering while also continuing to create and perform her own music.
Hanna Richmond has had a lifelong connection to music. Her musical journey began at a young age when she performed in school plays and talent shows. By third grade, she was invited to sing at the Smoot Spring Sing and soon joined the Smoot Theater Children’s Chorus.
Over the years, she expanded her musical talents, taking violin lessons from Esther Cabobos of Marietta Bible College and later playing alto and tenor saxophone in school. Richmond has been a dedicated member of the Belpre High School Marching Band since transitioning to high school.
Though she once considered music education as a career path, Richmond discovered her true passion lies in performing and visual storytelling. She attended the Washington County Career Center during her junior year, where she studied graphic design and video production.
As a result, she will graduate with an Associate of Individualized Study from Washington State College of Ohio alongside her high school diploma. She plans to attend Ohio University in the fall to study film, aiming to create meaningful and inspiring films for young audiences.
Applications for the 2026 Donna Campbell Award for Excellence will open early next year. The scholarship continues to honor the legacy of Donna Campbell by supporting the next generation of artists in their educational and creative journeys.
Luke Frazier, the award’s founder, is a proud graduate of Parkersburg South High School, West Virginia University, and Ohio University. He established the American Pops Orchestra in 2015 with a mission to make the arts more accessible and inclusive.
As these two exceptional students take their next steps toward careers in the arts, their accomplishments serve as a testament to the power of community support and the lasting impact of arts education.
