Over $870,000 in scholarships awarded to students across the region
WOODSFIELD, Ohio – The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) and the Monroe County Community Foundation have awarded over $870,000 in donor-established postsecondary scholarships to students across the 32-county region, including eight students from Monroe County.
The Jeff Cox and Jane Schumacher Cox Scholarship provides postsecondary education support to students at Monroe Central High School and Buckeye Trail High School. This year’s Monroe Central High School recipients are:
- Mason Landefeld of Woodsfield who plans to attend The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute
- LeAnna Messenger of Cameron who plans to attend Washington State College of Ohio
- Renee Williams of Woodsfield who plans to attend Belmont College
Landefeld was also awarded the FAO Environmental Stewardship Pillar Scholarship, supporting individuals seeking degrees or continuing education in ecology, forestry, wildlife ecology or related natural resource fields, as well as skilled trades, vocational and technical training in fields that integrate and support green energy technology, sustainable agriculture and land stewardship.
Kylee Otto of Jerusalem received the Jennifer Garrison Public Service Scholarship, awarded to students from Monroe, Noble and Washington counties who have a passion for public service and have served in an elected position within their school’s student government. Otto, a 2026 graduate of Monroe Central High School, plans to attend Ohio University Eastern.
The Weber Family Scholarship, established to support postsecondary education for students graduating from the Switzerland of Ohio School District, was awarded to:
- Hailey Bable of Beallsville, a 2026 Monroe Central High School graduate who plans to attend Ohio University Eastern
- Ambience Grimes of Sardis, a 2026 River High School graduate who plans to attend Ohio University Eastern
- Emily King of Lewisville, a 2026 Monroe Central High School graduate who plans to attend Washington State College of Ohio
- Mason Landefeld
- LeAnna Messenger
- Kylee Otto
- Clint Rader of Lewisville, a 2025 Monroe Central High School graduate who attends The Ohio State University Newark
- Renee Williams
FAO partners with donors, an advisory committee of volunteers and its affiliate foundations, including the Monroe 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.