On Sept. 9, 2021, Josephine “Josie” Jarrett became the first ever recipient of the Judith Bartell Paesani Vocal Music Scholarship.

Judy and Andy Paesani established this scholarship in December of 2019 with a gift of $75,000. Any student at West Liberty University who is in the music program and excels in vocal performances can win the Judith Bartell Paesani Vocal Music Scholarship. Jarret was the first recipient of this scholarship and received $1,000 for this academic year.

“It is an honor to receive this scholarship and I’m very thankful to be the first. I will make sure it is justified,” Jarrett said.
Jarret is currently a music education major who plans to teach music and theater in the future. She is also a member of WLU Singers. Jarrett earned a degree in theater at WLU in 2020.

Angie Zambito-Hill, the WLU Foundation executive director, says that the Judith Bartell Paesani Vocal Music Scholarship will benefit a lot more students in the future. “We are truly grateful for Judy and Andy’s support in assisting our students,” said Zambito-Hill. The scholarship will be awarded to one student who excels in singing every academic year. The WLU Foundation greatly appreciates any scholarships or programs that help out students financially.

Jarret said that she feels very grateful for receiving the scholarship and hopes that future students will be able to benefit from the program. “I’m so glad that the Judith Bartell Paesani Vocal Music Scholarship will help people like me in the future. I want other students to be able to achieve their dreams, and this scholarship is helping them do that,” said Jarret.

Judy and Andy Paesani both graduated from West Liberty University and established this scholarship in memory of Judy’s mother, Aldene Miller Bartell, who strongly supported music and singing. Bartell played the piano for silent movies and was a member of various vocal groups. Paesani says that WLU is very close to her heart, and she is very glad that she can give back to music students at WLU.

“I recall singing and enjoying music with my mother at home when I was young. It was always a fun way to pass an evening, especially while my father was away,” said Paesani.

Paesani earned her bachelor’s degree from WLU’s College of Education and went on to earn her master’s degree from the University of Connecticut.

Paesani hopes that the Judith Bartell Paesani Vocal Music Scholarship will help carry on her mother’s legacy and support students who have the same passion as her mother. Bartell worked as an elementary school teacher for most of her life, and Judy says that she is pleased that the first recipient of the Judith Bartell Paesani Vocal Music Scholarship plans to become a music and theater teacher.

The WLU Foundation currently manages over 125 scholarship funds that are available to students at West Liberty University. For more information about the Judith Bartell Paesani Vocal Music Scholarship and other scholarships available to West Liberty students, visit https://wlufoundation.org/ or contact Zambito-Hill at 304-336-5635.