Over $870,000 in scholarships awarded to students across the region
JACKSON, Ohio – The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) and the Jackson County Community Foundation have awarded over $870,000 in donor-established postsecondary scholarships to students across the 32-county region, including five students from Jackson County.
The Dr. Allen Smith Memorial Scholarship was established in honor of the late Dr. L. Allen Smith, a Jackson native and Ohio University graduate, and in honor of the work and legacy of his mother, the late Mary Ellen Smith. The scholarship supports students graduating from Jackson High School. This year’s recipients are:
- Kaylee Butler of Jackson and Kollier Fulton of Wellston received the Dr. Allen Smith Community Service Award, honoring Mary Ellen Smith’s legacy of community service and stewardship. Butler plans to attend Ohio University, and Fulton plans to attend The Ohio State University.
- Braelyn Brennan of Jackson and Bralee Lyons of Thurman, both of whom are planning to attend The Ohio State University, received the Dr. Allen Smith Memorial Scholastic Award for achievement in math, science and engineering.
Brennan and Lyons also were awarded the Bob Evans and Wayne White Legacy Scholarship, created to honor the legacy and commitment Evans and White had to the Appalachian Ohio region. Lyons also received the AK Steel Foundation Scholarship, supporting students pursuing studies in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields, with particular emphasis on metallurgy.
Lucas Pittman of Jackson received the Ora E. Anderson Scholarship, established to honor Ora Eaton Anderson, which supports students who plan to pursue postsecondary studies in natural sciences and demonstrate an overall commitment to environmental protection and conservation. Pittman, a 2026 Wellston High School graduate, plans to attend Bowling Green State University.
FAO partners with donors, an advisory committee of volunteers and its affiliate foundations, including the Jackson County Community Foundation, to award scholarships to students across Appalachian Ohio through a competitive application process.
To date this year, FAO has awarded over 670 postsecondary scholarships to more than 330 students across 25 counties thanks to gifts from residents and friends of Appalachian Ohio who recognize the role education plays in ensuring the region’s people and communities can flourish.
A 501(c)(3) public charity, FAO is a regional community foundation serving the 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio. In partnership with 14 geographic affiliate foundations, the regionwide African American Community Fund and supporters across the region and beyond, FAO works to unleash the collective potential within Appalachian Ohio by encouraging and supporting philanthropy. FAO’s geographic affiliate partners serve the Nelsonville area and Gallia, Guernsey, Harrison, Highland, Hocking, Jackson, Lawrence, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Perry and Vinton counties.