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Eighteen Guernsey County Students Receive Post-Secondary Scholarships

Cambridge, OH – Lester and Thelma Ellwood strongly believed in the importance of education. Growing up during the Great Depression, Lester Ellwood had to leave high school to help support his family, but he always knew the value of education. His partner in business and in life, Thelma, made sure that their steadfast belief in the power of education would be forever supported. Today, through the Lester D. and Thelma I. Ellwood Scholarship Fund at the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO), Lester and Thelma provide support to students every year through scholarships that continue to make a difference in young people’s lives beyond the Ellwoods’ lifetimes.

The Ellwood Scholarship Fund supports access to educational opportunities by assisting worthy graduates of Guernsey County high schools in their pursuit of post-secondary education. This year, eighteen students received scholarships totaling $24,000.

2017 Lester D. and Thelma I. Ellwood Scholarship award recipients from Guernsey County include:

John Barba II is a 2014 graduate of Meadowbrook High School and will be entering his senior year at Muskingum University in the fall where he majors in neuroscience and biology.

Kristi Bates is a 2015 graduate of Buckeye Trail High School. Ms. Bates is currently a nursing student at Ohio University.

Nickolas Bates is a 2015 graduate of Buckeye Trail High School. Mr. Bates is a rising junior at Marietta College where he studies petroleum engineering.

Riley Blancett is a 2017 graduate of Meadowbrook High School. Ms. Blancett plans to attend Ohio University to study nursing.

Robin Bodner is a 2015 graduate of Buckeye Trail High School. She is a rising junior at The Ohio State University studying food science and technology with plans to become an orthodontist.

Riley Bromer is a 2017 graduate of Meadowbrook High School. She plans to attend the University of Toledo to study biochemistry.

Taylor DeLong is a 2017 graduate of Meadowbrook High School. Ms. Delong plans to attend the University of Mount Union to study biology.

Isaac Gann is a 2017 graduate of Meadowbrook High School. Mr. Gann plans to attend Harding University to study journalism.

Jessie Howald is a 2017 graduate of Buckeye Trail High School. She plans to study biochemical science with a food specialization at The Ohio State University ATI.

Robert Moore is a 2017 graduate of Meadowbrook High School. Mr. Moore plans to attend the University of Cincinnati to study political science.

Olivia Rhodes is a 2015 graduate of Cambridge High School. She is a rising junior at Muskingum University where she studies international business, Spanish, and marketing.

Ryan St. Clair is a 2014 graduate of Meadowbrook High School. He is currently studying medical laboratory science at The Ohio State University.

Mackenzie Tucker is a 2017 graduate of Buckeye Trail High School. Ms. Tucker is planning to attend The Ohio State University ATI to study pre-veterinary medicine.

Alexis Wheeler is a 2017 graduate of Buckeye Trail High School. Ms. Wheeler plans to attend Ohio University – Zanesville to study nursing.

Diana Wheeler is a 2017 graduate of Buckeye Trail High School. She plans to attend Ohio University – Eastern to study human biology and biological science with plans to pursue graduate education in the medical field.

Gerrad Williams is a 2017 graduate of Buckeye Trail High School. He plans to attend Mount Vernon Nazarene University where he will double major in mechanical engineering and youth ministry.

Alyssa Williams is a 2014 graduate of Cambridge High School. She is a rising senior at Muskingum University where she studies nursing.

Samantha Workman is a 2014 graduate of Buckeye Trail High School. Ms. Workman is a rising senior at Muskingum University where she studies accounting.

The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio’s mission is to create opportunities for Appalachian Ohio’s citizens and communities by inspiring and supporting philanthropy. More information regarding FAO’s scholarships and a full list of 2017 recipients can be found on FAO’s website, www.AppalachianOhio.org.

FAO works locally with the Guernsey County Foundation. The Guernsey County Foundation was created in 1988 and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for the Guernsey County community, both now and in the future. Through a unique partnership with FAO, the Guernsey County Foundation works to raise and distribute funds locally while FAO provides support to help achieve that mission. The Guernsey County Foundation receives contributions and bequests of all sizes from individuals to assist in the funding of projects and charitable organizations.

If you are interested in how you can help students pursue their dreams by supporting educational attainment, contact the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio at 740.753.1111.

About the Guernsey County Foundation

The Guernsey County Foundation receives contributions and bequests of all sizes from individuals to assist in the funding of projects and charitable organizations. Through this unique collaboration with the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, the Guernsey County Foundation extends its philanthropic efforts throughout our community. More information can be found at www.guernseycountyfoundation.org or www.AppalachianOhio.org.

About the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio

The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) is a regional community foundation serving the 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio. A 501(c)(3) public charity, the Foundation creates opportunities for Appalachian Ohio’s citizens and communities by inspiring and supporting philanthropy. For more information about FAO, visit www.AppalachianOhio.org. 

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