Breana Cole - Virginia Applicant's Hard Work, Grit, and Determination Earns a Foundation Scholarship

Feb 26, 2025

By Cindy Baugher 

Breana Cole of Waynesboro, Virginia has a proven track record of commitment and responsibility that will serve her well in college and beyond. Upon graduation from Ridgeview Christian School in May of 2024, she was named salutatorian of her class with a GPA of 4.0. She played basketball in both middle and high school. She was also a member of the National Technical Honor Society and studied criminal justice through the dual enrollment program offered at Valley Career and Technical Center.

Breana showing off her high school cap and gown and her baby duck

Breana worked two different part-time jobs during high school for which she earned glowing recommendations from her supervisors. She credits those two jobs for helping her to develop her strong work ethic, pointing out that the sense of pride she has from receiving awards will fade, but the work ethic she’s developed is now permanently instilled.

Breana works part-time at New Country Organics on their production line, where her detail-oriented attitude sets her apart from other employees. Her supervisor at NCO said that Breana is one of the best production employees he’s had working in the Waynesboro mill.

To gain insight and experience for her future career, Breana also works part-time with Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) as an underage buyer. In this role, aside from the obvious, she is also responsible for making detailed notes of what she experienced and then testifying about these incidents in district court and in administrative hearings. She said, “Working with ABC has been so rewarding for me because I get to work with law enforcement, which gives me a head start on my career.”

Breana at her graduation from the Virginia State Police Youth Academy in the summer of 2023

Breana plans to become a full-time agent with the Virginia ABC after she completes her undergraduate and master’s degree. “I’ve always wanted to be a law enforcement officer and serve my community,” she said.

The designated “Foundation” scholarship offered by the PBF is earmarked for students who are seeking a criminal justice or criminology degree. Unlike the Division scholarships that PBF also awards, having a parent who is a current PBA member is not a prerequisite, though Breana’s dad was previously a Virginia state trooper.

Breana Cole receives a check from Central Chapter President Michael Wells of the Virgina Police Benevolent Association.  Also pictured are chapter leaders (l-r) Marcus Baggett, Jordan Weethee, and Michael Schneider).  Breana is from Waynesboro, VA and will be attending Blue Ridge Community College where she plans to major in criminal justice.

Breana is presently attending Blue Ridge Community College for her undergraduate degree in criminal justice and aims to enroll at a different university for her master’s degree. For the time being, her enrollment at Blue Ridge simply made the most financial sense for Breana and her family.

“My mom is very compassionate and a wonderful caregiver. My dad is a hard worker and will never back down,” she said of her family. “My sister is the typical teenager….and my brother is my little best friend. We are really close.” Breana named her parents and grandparents when asked about the greatest influence in her life. She said, “they have raised me up to be a hard worker and to love the Lord.”

Breana at the family farm with her father John Cole, mother Nikki Cole, brother Hunter Cole, and sister Kayley Cole.

Breana was born and raised in Waynesboro, Virginia which she called, “a great community with people that care.” She enjoys hunting, fishing, and doing any kind of farm work and just loves being outdoors in general. A quote that genuinely resonates with her comes from Albert Einstein, who stated, “you never fail until you stop trying.” This saying speaks to her because, “I believe that you can do anything as long as you try and have grit and determination,” she said.

It is evident that Breana is eager to contribute to the law enforcement community, given the time and commitment she’s already given to the field through her part time work with Virginia ABC. She’s excited to be working towards a degree in criminal justice to pave the way for her future steps. On being awarded the Foundation Scholarship, she said, “I am beyond grateful for this opportunity. I would never be able to afford college without generous givers like the Foundation. Thank you so much for this opportunity and for helping me be able to serve my community.”