More than two years after a 20-year-old Williamsburg native died, his family is honoring him by helping high school students with learning differences start their post-graduation journey.

The Josh Barkley Memorial Scholarship is being offered to Virginia high school seniors who have learning differences and have specialized learning plans. Two students will receive $1,175 scholarships, with preference given to students in Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools.

The scholarship is named for Joshua Martin Barkley, a 2022 Warhill High School graduate. His mother, Tena Barkley, said her son was passionate about playing football growing up. He was also a fan of fishing and water activities, such as swimming and boat rides.

“He loved just being outdoors,” Barkley said.

Joshua Barkley celebrates during a October 2021 football game against Poquoson. Barkley died on Dec. 26, 2023, after being struck by a semi-truck. (Daily Press file)

In 2023 on Christmas Eve, 19-year-old Josh went out for a ride with his girlfriend and best friend around 12:30 a.m., his mother said. After a pair of sunglasses flew out of the vehicle window, the pair dropped Josh off on Richmond Road, near Noah’s Ark Veterinary Hospital, where he tried to retrieve them. After he stumbled on the road, he was struck by a semi-truck cab.

James City County police determined the driver tried to avoid Josh on the roadway and no charges were filed.

Josh was airlifted to VCU Medical Center in critical condition, where he turned 20 on Christmas Day. A day later, he was taken off life support. His girlfriend gave birth to their son 11 days following his passing, Barkley said.

Since the accident, Barkley said she has gotten “somewhat better” thanks to therapy and being surrounded by family and friends. She credits her sister Lisa and Michelle Lucas, a Warhill High School teacher, for the creation of the scholarship. Funding for the scholarship is being provided by the family, the Williamsburg Moose Lodge and its Moose Riders motorcycle club. Plans are being made for a golf tournament and other fundraising opportunities, she said.

Since he was in kindergarten, Josh was on an individualized learning plan and struggled in school, Barkley said. The scholarship aims to give students with learning differences a chance to go to college, trade school or get a certification. Barkley hopes the scholarship will help other kids who are struggling in school or believe they can’t succeed after high school.

“Let them see that they are worthy of going to college,” Barkley said. “That they are smart enough and that they are good enough.”

On what she wants her grandson to know most about his father, Barkley said she wants him to know that Josh was a loving human being who “loved life” and “had a big heart.”

The deadline for scholarship applications is May 21 with winners being announced on June 22.

For more information on how to apply for the scholarship, visit bold.org/scholarships/josh-barkley-memorial-scholarship.

James W. Robinson, 757-799-0621, james.robinson@virginiamedia.com.

https://www.pilotonline.com/2026/02/23/scholarship-honors-warhill-high-graduate-who-loved-life/