Bachtel Scholarship Winners Announced
Pomeroy, Ohio – Four seniors from Meigs High School each recently received a $2,500 Bachtel Scholarship from the Nelsonville-based Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO).
The Bachtel Scholarship Awards Program provides scholarships annually to graduates of Meigs High School and are the result of an endowed fund established by the late Dr. Harry Keig with the Foundation. There are two different award categories: Academic Achievement and Athletic Achievement. 2007 is the fourth year the Bachtel Scholarships have been awarded.
Dr. Keig grew up to be a successful surgeon in the Omaha area but always remembered his hometown and the teachers who educated him. He also never forgot the life-shaping influence of his friend, Forrest Bachtel, a longtime teacher and coach at Middleport High School in Meigs County. When Dr. Keig passed away in 2003, his bequest created a $500,000 endowed fund at FAO in honor of Bachtel to provide college scholarships for Meigs High School students.
Marianne Campbell, FAO board trustee, announced the 2007 Bachtel scholarship winners at the Meigs High School senior awards ceremony on May 17 at the school.
“To learn about each student’s approach to education and goal in life from their individual essays afforded an insight into their determination to be successful in their future careers,” Campbell said. “This was confirmed by the positive comments from their instructors who nominated them for these Academic and Athletic awards. It was a privilege to again be a part of this impressive award ceremony on behalf of FAO.”
The recipients of this year’s Bachtel Scholarships for Academic Achievement are:
Jennifer Smith – Jennifer is a top student in physics and calculus. She played basketball and softball, served on Student Council and was field commander in the band her senior year. Jennifer will attend Ohio University to study medicine, with pediatrics her chosen specialty.
Daniel Bookman – Daniel participates in a number of extra-curricular activities, including Student Council, National Honor Society, the varsity basketball team and golf team. He plans to attend Ohio University, where he will study engineering.
The recipients of this year’s Bachtel Scholarships for Athletic Achievement are:
Whitney Smith – Whitney is active in marching band, pep band and concert band. She also played basketball and softball all four years, serving for two years on varsity teams in both sports. Whitney will attend Shawnee State University.
David Poole – David is a member of the National Honor Society and has been captain of the football, basketball and baseball teams. In addition, he took part in band for four years and is active in his church youth group. David plans to attend Ohio University.
