Bayside Youth Ballet

Memorial Scholarship

The purpose of the Bayside Youth Ballet (BYB) Scholarship is to promote the continuing education of BYB members in the fields associated with dance and the performing arts, and to offer financial support to those members that are majoring in or planning to major in a curriculum related to dance, the performing arts and/or liberal arts.

The Scholarship was instituted by the Ramsey family and supported by the South family, and is an annual commitment of the parents and Board members of BYB.

Heidi Jo South

Heidi Jo was a “Guest Dancer” with Bayside Youth Ballet in 1994 and successfully auditioned for membership in 1995. She continued dancing with BYB until she graduated in 2002 from Mathews High School. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Christopher Newport University in 2007. God called this beautiful, loving, and talented young woman home in April of 2008.

Jahn & Jerry Ramsey

Jahn Ramsey was a charter member and past President of Bayside Youth Ballet. Jahn was a teacher at Lee-Jackson Elementary School and is the mother of Elizabeth Ramsey, an alumna of BYB. Jahn worked diligently on several committees to ensure that the goals and objectives of the ballet company were carried out. Her husband, Jerry, worked alongside her building props for BYB productions, while Elizabeth performed the lead role in our first original ballet, “Snow Maiden.”

2021 Recipients

Bayside Youth Ballet awarded college scholarships in the amount of $1,500 each to Savanna Klaus, Emma Pearson, and Melody Thompson. Savanna is the daughter of Bob and Louise Klaus of Gloucester and will attend VCU and double major in neonatology and dance. Emma is the daughter of Mark and Kaoru Pearson of Yorktown and plans to attend Thomas Nelson Community College and study marine biology/ecology. Emma also has joined the faculty of Diggs School of Dance. Melody is the daughter of Eric and Leslie Thompson of Williamsburg and will attend Thomas Nelson Community College and plans to work in the medical field.

2020 Recipient

Bayside Youth Ballet awarded Jessie Mills a college scholarship in the amount of $1,500 in memory of Jerry and Jahn Ramsey and Heidi Jo South. Jessie is the daughter of Danny and Laura Lane Mills and will attend the University of Mary Washington.

2019 Recipients

Bayside Youth Ballet recently awarded Glynnie Croxton, center, and Victoria Klaus, right, college scholarships in the amount of $1,500 each in memory of Jerry and Jahn Ramsey and Heidi Jo South. Croxton is the daughter of Richard and Karen Croxton and will attend the University of Virginia. Klaus is the daughter of Bob and Louise Klaus and will attend Virginia Tech. Shown presenting the awards is Judy Rowe, president of the ballet company.

2024 Recipient

Bayside Youth Ballet recently awarded Ailin Harpole, above, a college scholarship in the amount of $1,500 in memory of Jerry and Jahn Ramsey and Heidi Jo South. Ailin began dancing in seventh grade and has been performing with the company for the past three years. She recently graduated with honors from Chesapeake Bay Governors School, Gloucester High School, and Rappahannock Community College with her Associate’s degree. She has been performing with the Fifes and Drums of Yorktown since fourth grade and is the Fife section lead. Ailin is involved in many activities at Gloucester High School, including FFA President, and a member of the award winning floriculture team. She is also a member of the BETA, W.E.B. Dubois & STEM clubs. Her favorite style of dance is ballet, especially pointe work and she hopes to continue dancing in college. Ailin plans on attending the University of Rhode Island to study Environmental Education and Natural Resource Economics.