More than $60,000 invested in Southern Perry County students, educational programs
CORNING, Ohio – The Southern Perry County Academic Endowment Fund (SPCAEF) at the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) has awarded $60,257 in 2026 scholarships and grants.
SPCAEF was established in 1987 to create and grow resources that promote learning experiences for residents of the Southern Local School District. The fund awards scholarships and community grants annually.
“These scholarships and grants reflect a deep and ongoing commitment to Southern Perry County,” said Angela Plant, president of the SPCAEF board. “By supporting students, educators and community programs, this funding is not only opening doors to higher education but also strengthening educational opportunities right here at home.”
2026 scholarship recipients
Seventeen graduating seniors and graduates of Miller High School were awarded a combined $48,574 in scholarships to support their postsecondary education. They are:
- Kirstyn Adams received the Jesse, Olema and Ralph Drake Scholarship and the John and Elsie Exenkemper Scholarship.
- Zander Bice received the Briggs Family Scholarship, the Bruce and Delores Hannah Scholarship and the Jesse, Olema and Ralph Drake Scholarship.
- Maddox Bolyard received the Briggs Family Scholarship, the Corning Alumni Association Scholarship and the Jesse, Olema and Ralph Drake Scholarship.
- Annabelle Colvin received the Briggs Family Scholarship, the Catherine Blankenship Scholarship and the Jesse, Olema and Ralph Drake Scholarship.
- Bryce Dorsey received the Briggs Family Scholarship; the Commander Lambert Scholarship; the Janice E. Norris Memorial Scholarship; the Jesse, Olema and Ralph Drake Scholarship; and the Willard and Frances Kay Burns Legacy Scholarship.
- Brenna Ferguson received the Catherine Blankenship Scholarship; the Jesse, Olema and Ralph Drake Scholarship; and the Paul and Charlotte Hope Scholarship.
- Courtney Glenaman received the Janet Arkley Legacy Scholarship; the Jesse, Olema and Ralph Drake Scholarship; and the Shawnee Alumni Association Scholarship.
- Brynley Needham received the Jesse, Olema and Ralph Drake Scholarship and the Joseph and Marie Lichtenstein Scholarship.
- Cameryn O’Nail received the Briggs Family Scholarship; the Charlene Joseph Scholarship; the Jesse, Olema and Ralph Drake Scholarship; and the Robert Woodruff and Charles and Elizabeth Woodruff Scholarship.
- Mary Palmer received the Donald and Catherine Palmer Scholarship; the Jesse, Olema and Ralph Drake Scholarship; the Jim and Vicki Palmer Legacy Scholarship; and the Willard and Frances Kay Burns Legacy Scholarship.
- Emma Starlin received the Charlene Joseph Scholarship, the Jack and Clara Reho Scholarship and the Jesse, Olema and Ralph Drake Scholarship.
- Hannah Stover received the Catherine Blankenship Scholarship and the Jesse, Olema and Ralph Drake Scholarship.
- Shelby Stover received the Jesse, Olema and Ralph Drake Scholarship; the Paul and Charlotte Hope Scholarship; and the Vincent and Gene Hope Scholarship
- Ava Strawn received the Jesse, Olema and Ralph Drake Scholarship.
- Memarie Taylor received the Catherine Blankenship Scholarship and the Jesse, Olema and Ralph Drake Scholarship.
- Hallie West received the Ben and Alyce Shaver Scholarship and the Jesse, Olema and Ralph Drake Scholarship.
- Heather West received the Briggs Family Scholarship; the Janice E. Norris Memorial Scholarship; the Jesse, Olema and Ralph Drake Scholarship; the Murray and Lulu Brown Scholarship; and the William and Frances Dunlap Scholarship.
2026 grant recipients
A total of $11,683 in grant funding was awarded to seven programs that provide academic excellence and educational enrichment opportunities to residents of the Southern Local School District. This year’s grant recipients are:
- Little Cities of Black Diamonds received a grant from the Hazel Post Fisher Community Fund to support student tours of sites on the Little Cities 1787 Trail.
- Miller High School Band Boosters received grants from the Blake Underwood Student Learning Grant Fund and the Hazel Post Fisher Community Fund to purchase a bass drum for the marching band.
- New Straitsville Public Library received a grant from the Bob and Ruth Holland Community Fund to sponsor a field trip to Ash Cave as part of the Small Town Adventures Summer Camp.
- Southern Local Schools received funding for four programs:
- A grant from the Southern Perry County Academic Endowment Fund to support the Feeding the Falcons school-based food pantry
- A grant from the Southern Perry County Academic Endowment Fund to purchase items to incentivize and reward Miller High School students for their academics, attendance and behavior
- A grant from the Bob and Ruth Holland Community Fund to purchase equipment for the weight room
- Grants from the Bob and Ruth Holland Community Fund, the Hazel Post Fisher Community Fund and the Southern Perry County Academic Endowment Fund to support the development of a structured sensory hallway leading to the speech therapy room at Millcreek Elementary