Gene Verley Scholarship

This scholarship is to honor Gene for all the years he taught at W.F. West high school, but more importantly for my wife and I to show our sincere appreciation to Gene for the positive impact he had on my life personally and now through his influence on our children’s lives. This impact is priceless.

We want candidates to apply for this scholarship who aspire to obtain a college business degree. We are looking specifically for candidates who may not qualify for other scholarships but have a solid work ethic and a desire to make something of themselves.

Thank you, Gene. You mean so much to us. – Greg and Susie Close

Gene and Shirlie both started their teaching careers in the Bay Area of California, while Gene attended San Jose State evenings and summers to earn his Master’s degree in Business Education in 1964.

That spring, they applied for teaching jobs all over Washington, but Chehalis offered the best situation for their careers and family.  Gene taught business courses at W.F. West from 1964 to 1988, and was the department chair for most of that time.  He also coached Bearcat baseball for 5 years and served as ASB Advisor, overseeing ticket sales and crowd control for all Bearcat home sports events.  Shirlie also spent most of her career at W.F. West (1967-1989) as head of the English department, and all three of their children are W.F. West graduates.