HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ)-- Marshall University announced today the 12 newest members of its Society of Yeager Scholars, which includes five students from West Virginia.

They are: Emily Elizabeth Beckelhimer of Milton, W.Va. She will graduate from Cabell Midland High School and is interested in a career as an epidemiologist or immunologist.

Shelby E. Brewster of Colorado Springs, Colo. Brewster will graduate from Liberty High School. She plans to major in history and theater and work as an historian or museum curator.

Timmeka L. Brice of Salisbury, Md. Brice will graduate from James M. Bennett High School. She plans to major in elementary education and pursue a career as an elementary school teacher.

Kyle Matthew Burner of Huntington, W.Va. Burner will graduate from Spring Valley High School. He plans to study biotechnology and work in the fields of biotechnology or molecular genetics.

Emily Cline of Shreve, Ohio. Cline will graduate from Triway High School. She plans to major in forensics chemistry and pursue a career as a forensics scientist.

Ian Keller Ferrell of Union Bridge, Md. Ferrell will graduate from Francis Scott Key High School. He plans to major in secondary education-social studies and pursue a career as a high school social studies teacher or college professor in history.

Jordan Patrick Hilgefort of Hebron, Ky. Hilgefort will graduate from Saint Henry District High School. He plans to major in pre-medicine (chemistry) and study medicine after college. He would like to work as a general practitioner or a pediatrician.

Samuel Kelch of Washington, W.Va. Kelch will graduate from Parkersburg South High School. He plans to major in pre-medicine (biology) and study medicine after college. He would like to pursue a career as a surgeon.

Rachel Annette Lewis of Huntington, W.Va. Lewis will graduate from Spring Valley High School. She plans to major in biology or biomedical science and pursue a career as a physical therapist.

Delaney McLemore of Philomath, Ore. McLemore will graduate from Philomath High School. She plans to major in secondary education and pursue a career as a high school history teacher or college professor in women’s studies.

Patricia Jane Wheaton of Fairmont, W.Va. Wheaton will graduate from Fairmont Senior High School. She plans to major in art (painting) and pursue a career in art therapy or art education.

Benjamin Dean Woodworth of Trafalgar, Ind. Woodworth will graduate from Indian Creek High School. He plans to major in biochemistry and study medicine after college. He would like to work as an orthopedic surgeon or a research scientist.

As Yeager Scholars, the students are required to maintain a rigorous course load with a 3.5 GPA and participate in campus and community activities. They also will have the opportunity to study literature, political science, or history at Oxford University in England in the summer after their sophomore year, and they will have another opportunity for study abroad in a program related to their major and/or their foreign language minor.

The Society of Yeager Scholars is named for West Virginia native Ret. Brigadier General Charles E. “Chuck” Yeager, who piloted the first plane to break the sound barrier.