Firelands Positive People honors 14 students

HURON — Da'Nyah Porter has overcome several obstacles in her life. The Sandusky High School senior and her sister were raised by her mother, "who always made sure we were taken care of," Porter wrote. Her father hasn't been in her life. Porter's grandmother passed away in 2014 and she soon started losing her eyesight. She eventually went blind. "No one knew what was wrong," Porter said. After multiple doctors' appointments, she was diagnosed with a rare eye disease called neuromyelitis optica. "I had to learn to do almost everything once again," she said. "It was the most difficult experience I've ever had. I didn't want to learn Braille and use a white cane. I just wanted to be independent." But Porter's mother and sister encouraged her to not give up. "Instead of letting my grandmother's passing and my blindness overcome me, I used it as motivation to work even harder," she said. "I used my blindness to inspire and educate others. Had I not lost my vision, I would not be the person I am today." Porter won Firelands Positive People's top scholarship award, valued at $6,000, on Wednesday during the nonprofit's yearly ceremony at Mesenburg Hall in Huron. She plans to attend Heidelberg University in Tiffin to study psychology and business. Porter seeks to become a psychologist to help others overcome similar challenges. Porter thanked her family and her Braille teacher, Natalie Biddle, for their support. "You all mean the world to me," Porter said. Founded in 1994, the nonprofit recognizes high school seniors attending schools in Erie, Ottawa and Huron counties. This year's program honored 14 area students who have, during their school years, persevered through family tragedies and health issues, among other hardships. Bob Eirons, the founder of Firelands Positive People, noted that mental health challenges were a common theme among area students this year. "If we have an instrument that brings light at the end of the day, that's awesome," he said. EHOVE Career Center senior Kendalann Hershiser, who attends Monroeville High School, and New London's Jenna Given tied for third place and earned $2,000 each. Hershiser's brother, Caleb, died by suicide in April 2017. From that tragedy, she and her parents, Robert and Anna, created a nonprofit, CALEB Anti-Bullying Cause and recently opened Caleb's House of Hope, an outreach center in Monroeville for community children and families. "I had to build resilience and develop my own coping skills," Hershiser wrote, recalling the aftermath of losing her brother. "I climbed out of the darkness because I had more concern for the welfare of my parents than myself. They became my priority — I pushed everyday just to see a smile on their faces." About $29,000 in scholarship money was raised this year with a matching grant and community donations. Since the scholarship ceremony started almost 30 years ago, more than 350 area students have received funding for their educational aspirations. 2023 Firelands Positive People winners • First place, $6,000 scholarship: Da'Nyah Porter, Sandusky High School • Second place, $4,000 scholarship: Alyssa Jenkins, Danbury High School • Third place, $2,000 scholarship each: Kendalann Hershiser, EHOVE Career Center and Jenna Given, New London High School $1,500 scholarship finalists • Skylie Hixon, Edison High School • Sylvia Cogar, Firelands High School • Sam Lee, Huron High School • Katie Alkire, Margaretta High School • Aniah Denger, Monroeville High School; Student Enthusiasm Award winner • Hannah Leonard, Norwalk High School • Drake Venerucci, Perkins High School • Lydia Boykin, Port Clinton High School • Sage Ralofsky, St. Mary Central Catholic High School (also won the $500 Frank Fosco Inspirational Music Award) • Evelina Podvoiskis, St. Paul High School Positive Impact Award winners: Joseph and Tory Hurst, nominated by Alyssa Jenkins; Jenny Wobser and Lauren Lee, nominated by Sam Lee; David and Hillary Leonard, nominated by Hannah Leonard; and David and Lisa Podvoiskis, nominated by Evelina Podvoiskis _ Reach reporter Caitlin Nearhood at nearhood@sanduskyregister.com and follow her on Twitter @CaitlinNearhood