Area athletes awarded OHSAA scholarships

COLUMBUS — Six recent area graduates have received $1,000 scholarships from the Ohio High School Athletic Association as part of the OHSAA's Scholar-Athlete Scholarship Program. The OHSAA and its six District Athletic Boards awarded $200,000 to 200 standout athletes throughout the state who graduated this spring. In addition, the OHSAA has sent $1,250 to each member high school, a grand total of $1,020,000, to assist with items needed by each school's athletic department. The money comes from the OHSAA's Athletic Enrichment Fund, which was established in 2023 for the purpose of providing a financial contribution to each member high school's athletic department. It is meant to assist with costs of equipment, uniforms, game transportation, officials and improving student sportsmanship and adult fan behavior. Each of the 200 scholarship recipients, who were selected by their respective District Athletic Boards, will receive a $1,000 award. This marks the second straight year that $200,000 has been distributed to 200 students; both totals are the highest in the college scholarship program's 31-year history. Among the 40 recent graduates selected from the Northwest District were Perkins' Haylie Brunner, Port Clinton's Josh Cornell, Edison's Abe Hermes, Norwalk's Lillian Farmer, Monroeville's Grace Stieber and Vermilion's Joseph Webb. Eight area scholar-athletes won scholarships last year. "These scholar-athletes represent the very best of high school athletics," OHSAA Executive Director Doug Ute said. "Our District Athletic Boards, Board of Directors and OHSAA staff congratulate them on all their accomplishments and wish them well as they work toward their educational and career goals." Scholar-athlete recipients are selected based on a point system which rewards students for: grade-point average, class rank, community service, varsity letters earned and individual and team athletic honors. The number of scholarship recipients from each district is based upon the number of schools within the district. The recipients were selected by special committees within each of the OHSAA's six athletic districts. Individuals who receive athletic scholarships from NCAA Division I or II institutions or appointees to military academies are not eligible for an award. 2025 OHSAA Scholar-AthletesNorthwest District Ryan Adelsperger, Old FortLibbie Baker, West Unity HilltopTate Bender, Lima ShawneeGrace Blonde, Tiffin ColumbianMeredith Bockrath, KalidaBrayden Brickman, Hopewell-LoudonSidney Brickner, Hopewell-LoudonOlivia Broering, ColdwaterHaylie Brunner, PerkinsRebekah Case, LucasAnthony Clark, PerrysburgBlake Coleman, Tiffin CalvertJosh Cornell, Port ClintonCody Depweg, ColdwaterLillian Farmer, NorwalkWilliam Frimel, MinsterBrady Griggs, ArlingtonAbe Hermes, EdisonRaegan Hutchison, Waynesfield-GoshenEmma Kelbley, Fremont SJCCThomas Koh, Lima ShawneeTyler Lammers, LeipsicRees Lewis, ShelbyKacey Like, McCombAdria Miller, Rockford ParkwayHarper Myers, Haviland Wayne TraceNova Okuley, Defiance TinoraSamuel Paeth, Fremont SJCCBryce Puckett, CareyEric Sander, Pemberville EastwoodAlec Schaublin, Defiance TinoraJay Schroeder, New KnoxvilleZachary Shawberry, Tiffin ColumbianJacob Siebeneck, KalidaKate Simmons, FindlayAva Stammen, MinsterGrace Stieber, MonroevilleAvae Unrast, Maria Stein Marion LocalLaura Valette, PerrysburgJoseph Webb, Vermilion