SPCAEF announces 2025 scholarship and grant recipients

CORNING, Ohio – The Southern Perry County Academic Endowment Fund (SPCAEF) at the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) has awarded more than $53,000 in 2025 scholarships and grants benefiting Miller High School students.

Part of the Community Foundation for Perry County’s family of funds, SPCAEF was established in 1987 to create and grow resources that promote learning experiences for residents of the Southern Local School District. The fund awards scholarships and community grants annually.

“The leaders and supporters of the Southern Perry County Academic Endowment Fund believe that education is the key to unlocking opportunity for the future of our community and for our future community leaders,” said Angela Plant, president of the SPCAEF board. “Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we ensure young people have resources to pursue their educational dreams and our teachers and nonprofits can advance educational projects that benefit our community.”

2025 scholarship recipients

Fourteen graduating seniors and graduates of Miller High School were awarded a combined $43,469 in scholarships to support their postsecondary education. They are:

  • Jace Agriesti received the Jesse, Olema and Ralph Drake Scholarship; the Jim and Vicki Palmer Legacy Scholarship; and the John and Elsie Exenkemper Scholarship.
  • Jayden Agriesti received the Jesse, Olema and Ralph Drake Scholarship and the John and Elsie Exenkemper Scholarship.
  • Sarah Alfman received the Charlene Joseph Scholarship; the Jesse, Olema and Ralph Drake Scholarship; the John and Elsie Exenkemper Scholarship; and the Joseph and Marie Lichtenstein Scholarship.
  • Ethan Barrett received the Jack and Clara Reho Scholarship; the Janet Arkley Legacy Scholarship; the Jesse, Olema and Ralph Drake Scholarship; the John and Elsie Exenkemper Scholarship; and the Murray and Lulu Brown Scholarship.
  • Courtney Glenaman received the Bruce and Dolores Hannah Scholarship; the Donald and Catherine Palmer Scholarship; the Jesse, Olema and Ralph Drake Scholarship; and the John and Elsie Exenkemper Scholarship.
  • Torin Hinkle received the Commander Lambert Scholarship; the Corning Alumni Association Scholarship; the Jesse, Olema and Ralph Drake Scholarship; and the John and Elsie Exenkemper Scholarship.
  • Alyssa Kiefer received the Ben and Alyce Shaver Scholarship; the Jesse, Olema and Ralph Drake Scholarship; and John and Elsie Exenkemper Scholarship.
  • Patrick McConnell received the Jesse, Olema and Ralph Drake Scholarship; the John and Elsie Exenkemper Scholarship; the Shawnee Alumni Association Scholarship; and the Southern Perry County Academic Endowment Fund Scholarship.
  • Carleigh Spergin received the Jesse, Olema and Ralph Drake Scholarship; the Jim and Vicki Palmer Legacy Scholarship; and the John and Elsie Exenkemper Scholarship.
  • Emma Starlin received the Briggs Family Scholarship; the Catherine Blankenship Scholarship; the Jesse, Olema and Ralph Drake Scholarship; the John and Elsie Exenkemper Scholarship; and the William and Frances Dunlap Scholarship.
  • Shelby Stover received the Briggs Family Scholarship; the Catherine Blankenship Scholarship; the Jesse, Olema and Ralph Drake Scholarship; the John and Elsie Exenkemper Scholarship; the Southern Perry County Academic Endowment Fund Scholarship; and the Vincent and Gene Hope Scholarship.
  • Ava Strawn received the Jack and Clara Reho Scholarship; the Jesse, Olema and Ralph Drake Scholarship; the John and Elsie Exenkemper Scholarship; and the Murray and Lulu Brown Scholarship.
  • Memarie Taylor received the Briggs Family Scholarship; the Catherine Blankenship Scholarship; the Jesse, Olema and Ralph Drake Scholarship; the John and Elsie Exenkemper Scholarship; and the Vincent and Gene Hope Scholarship.
  • Joseph Tokie received the Jesse, Olema and Ralph Drake Scholarship; the John and Elsie Exenkemper Scholarship; the Paul and Charlotte Hope Scholarship; and the Robert Woodruff and Charles and Elizabeth Woodruff Scholarship.

2025 grant recipients

SPCAEF also awarded two grants, totaling $10,000, to provide academic excellence and educational enrichment opportunities to Miller High School students. This year’s grant recipients are:

  • Miller High School, in partnership with the Miller High School Band Boosters, to purchase new marching band uniforms.
  • Miller High School Science Department to purchase materials and equipment, including microscopes, for dissections.

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