More than $700,000 in scholarships awarded to students across the region
CALDWELL, Ohio – The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) and the Noble County Community Foundation have awarded more than $700,000 in donor-established postsecondary scholarships to students across the 32-county region, including eight Noble County students.
The Noble County Community Foundation Scholarship, which supports high school graduates from Noble County who are continuing their education, was awarded to:
- Lillian Baker of Quaker City, a 2025 Shenandoah High School graduate, who plans to attend Capital University
- Preston Chandler of Caldwell, a 2025 Caldwell High School graduate, who plans to attend Point Park University
- Haleigh Danford of Caldwell, a 2024 Caldwell High School graduate, who attends Kent State University
- Mikayla Schockling of Pleasant City, a 2025 Shenandoah High School graduate, who plans to attend Ohio Northern University
- Ashleigh Wheeler of Quaker City, a 2021 Shenandoah High School graduate, who attends Bethany College
- Carter Wheeldin of Caldwell, a 2025 Caldwell High School graduate, who plans to attend Ohio University
Charles Estadt of Caldwell, a 2025 Shenandoah High School graduate who plans to attend Marietta College, received:
- The AK Steel Foundation Scholarship, supporting students pursuing studies in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields, with particular emphasis on metallurgy
- The Bob Evans and Wayne F. White Legacy Scholarship, honoring the legacy and commitment these two friends had to the Appalachian Ohio region
- The Jennifer Garrison Public Service Scholarship, awarded to students from Noble, Monroe and Washington counties who have a passion for public service and have served in an elected position within their school’s student government
- The MPLX Scholarship, supporting graduating seniors of Caldwell High School, Shenandoah High School or Harrison Central High School who are pursuing a certificate, associate degree or bachelor’s degree in a field related to the gas industry or a STEM area of study
Lane Robinson of Caldwell received the Dr. Joanelle Wargo Long Legacy Scholarship, supporting students who are current or past 4-H members and/or advisors pursuing postsecondary education at The Ohio State University or another higher education institution in Ohio and majoring in education, home economics or public school administration. Robinson, a 2025 Shenandoah High School graduate, plans to attend The Ohio State University.
FAO partners with donors, an advisory committee of volunteers and its affiliate foundations, including the Noble County Community Foundation, to award scholarships to students across the 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio through a competitive application process.
To date this year, FAO has awarded more than 600 postsecondary scholarships to more than 300 students across 26 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 and the regionwide African American Community Fund, 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.