Over $870,000 in scholarships awarded to students across the region
Foundation have awarded over $870,000 in donor-established postsecondary scholarships to students across the 32-county region, including 21 students from Meigs County.
The Gary G. Lee Memorial Scholarship, established to provide postsecondary support to graduating seniors and residents from Bedford Township, was awarded to the following Pomeroy residents:
- Paisleigh Colwell, a 2026 Meigs High School graduate who plans to attend Malone University
- Presleigh Colwell, a 2023 Meigs High School graduate who attends Ohio University
- Tyson Dugan, a 2025 Meigs High School graduate who attends Dartmouth College
- Mara Hall, a 2022 Meigs High School graduate who attends Ohio University
- Emmalyn Hayes, a 2024 Eastern High School graduate who attends Ohio University
- Ava Elizabeth Horn, a 2026 Meigs High School graduate who plans to attend West Virginia University Parkersburg
- Carson Reuter, a 2025 Meigs High School graduate who attends Ohio University
- Layne Reuter, a 2023 Meigs High School graduate who attends Ohio University
- Quinlan Sargent, a 2024 Meigs High School graduate who attends Ohio University
- Gregory C. Sheets, a 2018 Meigs High School graduate who attends Ohio University
- Johanna Thomas, a 2024 Meigs High School graduate who attends The Ohio State University
- Addison Well, a 2025 Eastern High School graduate who attends The Ohio State University
Mallory Adams and Madisen Dailey, bothof Racine, received the Leifheit-Michael Family Scholarship, supporting Meigs County residents who have completed their first year of postsecondary education and are pursuing careers in fine arts, music, education, medicine or agriculture. Adams, a 2024 graduate of Meigs High School, attends Wittenberg University. Dailey, a 2025 graduate of the Ohio Virtual Academy, attends Ohio University
Both Adams and Alexis Grissett, a residentof Albany, received the Charles A. and Joan Corder Memorial Scholarship, supporting Meigs County students who have attained at least junior status at a postsecondary institution. Grissett, a 2024 graduate of Alexander High School, attends Indiana University Indianapolis.
Four 2026 graduates received Bachtel Scholarships, created to honor longtime teacher and coach Forrest Bachtel through college scholarships for Meigs High School students. Caden O’Neil of Pomeroy and Madelynn Will of Vinton, both of whom plan to attend the University of Rio Grande, were awarded the Bachtel Academic Achievement Scholarship. Demetrius Tackett of Middleport and Natalie Goode of Chesire, both of whom plan to attend Ohio University, were awarded the Bachtel Athletic Excellence Scholarship.
Heidi Coon of Pomeroy and Hannah Jackson of Racine, both 2026 Meigs High School graduates, received the Bob Evans and Wayne White Legacy Scholarship, honoring the legacy and commitment Evans and White had to the Appalachian Ohio region. Coon plans to attend the University of Rio Grande while Jackson plans to attend Wright State University.
Coon also received the AK Steel Foundation Scholarship, supporting students pursuing studies in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields, with particular emphasis on metallurgy.
FAO partners with donors, an advisory committee of volunteers and its affiliate foundations, including the Meigs County 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.