MARION, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—The Marion Community Foundation’s Scholarship Program has reached a new milestone, awarding a record $582,000 to local scholars for the 2025-26 academic year. This figure represents an increase of nearly $50,000 compared to the previous year.

The Foundation’s Board of Directors approved a total of 340 individual awards, benefiting 234 students from the Marion area, during their April board meeting.

“Every year the number and size of scholarship funds grow due to the hundreds of donors who have created and supported Marion Community Foundation’s scholarship program,” said Julie Prettyman, President and CEO. “Generous donors are at the core of this program, creating scholarships to memorialize loved ones, support students to attend their alma mater, and help them pursue the same field of study that became their life’s work. We appreciate the individuals, families, businesses, and organizations who support higher education for the students of our community.”

Marion Community Foundation has been awarding scholarships annually for the past 25 years. The program has expanded significantly from a single scholarship fund to its current total of 168. These funds support students attending a diverse range of colleges and universities and pursuing various majors, including graduate programs in law and medicine, as well as training in trades, apprenticeships, and skilled labor.

According to Program Manager Kate McCleese, this year’s recipients include 112 graduating high school seniors and 122 graduate students. These students represent 19 area high schools and will be attending more than 40 different colleges and universities. Award letters detailing the scholarship amounts and necessary steps for receiving the funds have been mailed to the students.

“We greatly appreciate our scholarship selection committee volunteers who dedicated time and effort to carefully review the nearly 400 applications received,” said McCleese. The 2025 Scholarship Committee members were chairperson Kathy Goodman, Katie Grimes, Sharol Herr, Sue Jacob, Ruth Johnston, Spencer Mathews, Jean Smith, and Kevin Smith.

Nine new scholarships are being awarded for the first time this year: the Chivington Family Scholarship, Ron & Phyllis Craycraft Scholarship, Charles A. & Sue (McCoy) Huber Scholarship, Lo Family Scholarship, Dr. Tarlok & Amar Purewal Scholarship, River Valley Music Honor Society Scholarship, St. John Lutheran Church (Windfall) Scholarship, Kevin & Ruth Smith Scholarship, and Y-Men’s Service Club Scholarship.

Descriptions of all available scholarships can be found online at www.marioncommunityfoundation.org under the Scholarships tab.

A partial list of the 2025 scholarship recipients and their awards follows:

A

Seth Abraham – Y-Men’s Service Club Scholarship

Manuel Acuna – Kaufman Family Memorial Scholarship

Isabella Adkins – Charles A. & Sue (McCoy) Huber Scholarship

Savannah Amstutz –  Roger L. Baker & Cora M. Baker Scholarship

Lauren Anspaugh – Marion Rotary Club’s James M. Bazzoli, M.D. and Dr. James S. & Mary Gray Greetham Memorial scholarships

Peyton Apthorp – Cornell/Goodman and Aris Kasotis Memorial scholarships

Jacob Arndt – Willie “Beaver” Troutman Football and Coach Ed Henning scholarships

Jenna Ashley – Collier Scholarship

Mitchell Askew – Marion Rotary Club’s James M. Bazzoli, M.D. and Harris scholarships

Madeline Aurigemma – Carey Family Scholarship

Eyan Axline – Alex Masters Memorial, Marion Elks Lodge No.32, and Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat scholarships

B

Ava Baker – Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat Scholarship

Jayda Baker – Marguerite Marcelin Hastings Memorial Scholarship

Grace Balog – Whirlpool Corporation/OnePower STEM, Vera O. McDanel, Wayne Hoch Memorial, and Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat scholarships

Dalani Bateman – Catherine Amelia Thew Brown Scholarship

Gavyn Baumgartner – Danny C. Sipes Memorial Scholarship

Whitley Baumgartner – Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat Scholarship

Jacob Beaschler – Kenny Martin Memorial Scholarship

Karis Beineke – Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat Scholarship

Abigail Bennett – Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat Scholarship

Kelsie Bennett – Caledonia Alumni Association and Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat scholarships

Kaia Berry – Stewie Family Scholarship

Kameron Biederman – Joe Petrich & Al Beach Memorial Scholarship

Evan Birt – Max Ross Memorial, Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat, and Carey Family scholarships

Bailey Boblenz – Kevin & Ruth Smith, Charles L. Hastings Memorial, and Everett Family scholarships

Delainy Boles – Marion Noon Kiwanis Club II and Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat scholarships

Korey Bosart – Marion Area Auxiliary and Marge Sorreles Davies Memorial scholarships

Camden Bower – Dr. Shelton & Becky Williams Scholarship

Brayden Boyd – Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat and Carey Family scholarships

Taylor Boyd – Charles R. Crisler Memorial and Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat scholarships

Joseph Bradac III – St. John Lutheran Church (Windfall) and John T. Gordon Memorial Eagle Scout scholarships

Faith Brenzo – Altrusa Club of Marion Scholarship I

Sage Brewer – Vera O. McDanel Scholarship

Demarco Brown – John F. Kreis Memorial Scholarship

Jacob Brown – Three Sisters Nursing Scholarship

Kendra Brown – Elgin Alumni Association Scholarship

Will Browning – Ridgemont Scholarship

Olivia Burdette – Beatrice Prior Memorial Scholarship

Alexis Burton – Catherine Amelia Thew Brown Scholarship

Jailynn Bussey – Taft Middle School Music Dept Scholarship

C

Kalli Caldwell – Christopher B. Ream and Jeffrey Rainey Memorial scholarships

Macie Cameron – Three Sisters Nursing Scholarship

Gabby Cametti – United Church Homes Scholarship

Madelynn Casey – Irene Ballinger Memorial and Marion Rotary Club’s Catherine Ferguson scholarships

Madelyn Cheney – Allyson M. Haycox Memorial and A.B. & Hazel Augenstein scholarships

Taylor Clayton – Marion Noon Kiwanis Club Scholarship II

Addison Clevenger – Dr. Shelton & Becky Williams Scholarship

Grace Cochran – Clifford & Frances Strine Family, Marion Rotary Club’s Robert C. Dowd, and Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat scholarships

Jayden Combs – Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat Scholarship

Andrew Comer – Catherine Amelia Thew Brown Scholarship

Emily Compton – Laura Rush & Tom Rosol Nursing Student Scholarship

Hannah Cook – Catherine Amelia Thew Brown Scholarship

Connor Corwin – Eddie Shelton Agricultural Scholarship

Kyle Crawford – John T. & Lois Schmidt, Dr. David & Alice Bailey, and American Legion Post 162 scholarships

Jocelyn Cummins – Whirlpool Corporation/OnePower STEM and Marion Rotary Club’s R.T. Lewis scholarships

Liam Curtis – Helen M. Thew Memorial Scholarship

D

Noah Daigneau – Eric Benjamin Foos Memorial, Marion Rotary Club’s Robert C. Dowd, and Charles E. Orcena scholarships

Aaliyah Davis – Helen M. Thew Memorial Scholarship

Othon DeAssis – Helen M. Thew Memorial Scholarship

Andrew Deem – Helen M. Thew Memorial Scholarship

Kenzie Delaney – Marion Noon Kiwanis Club and Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat scholarships

Isabella Dodd – Bergmann Family Scholarship

Jayda Dondrea – Ridgemont Scholarship

Lindsie Doss – Harper-Stuckey MTC Scholarship

Sam Doster – Collier Scholarship

Gabriel Douce – River Valley Class of 1981 Scholarship

E

Makenzae Eager – Voll Family Bowling Green State University and American Legion Post 162 scholarships

Amarise Edgell – Whirlpool Corporation/One Power STEM and American Legion Post 162 scholarships

Ki Evans – David G. Wilhelm Memorial Scholarship

F

Audrey Feasel – Marion Rotary Club’s Harold W. Hall, Marion Rotary Club’s Warren G. Harding, Beatrice Prior Memorial, and Dr. Sarah Kulkofsky Memorial scholarships

Reagan Fitsko – Beth Bayles Memorial and Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat scholarships

Autumn Fitzgerald – Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat Scholarship

Isabella Fitzgerald – Marion Noon Kiwanis Club Scholarship

Ava Fleming – Rocco Nicolosi Memorial and Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat scholarships

Stephanie Foos – Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat Scholarship

Kayla Forry – Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat Scholarship

Mara Frank – Dr. Shelton & Becky Williams and Gary & Diana Sims Family scholarships

Renee Fremont – Altrusa Club of Marion Scholarship II

Ashlyn Fryman – Brenda Dye Music Boosters and Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat scholarships

Jaylen Fuentes – Coach Mac Prexy Pride Scholarship

G

Gabrielle Garrett – Marion Noon Kiwanis Club and Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat scholarships

Leah Garrett – Elizabeth Shumaker and Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat scholarships

Addison Gierhart – Pleasant Local Schools Board of Education, Pleasant Academic Boosters, Roger & Donna Holbrook, and Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat scholarships

Gage Gleespen – Community’s Memorial and Gladys & Everett Granger Memorial scholarships

Maddy Gray – Collier Scholarship

H

Logan Hale – Harper-Stuckey MTC, Stormy Ray Cushing, and Altrusa Club of Marion I scholarships

Adisyn Hall – Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat Scholarship

Dylan Hanshaw – Eugene & Cecilia Reszczynski Scholarship

Quinten Harrison – LaRue Alumni Association and Marion Rotary Club’s R.T. Lewis scholarships

Catherine Hinkle – Roger L. Baker & Cora M. Baker Scholarship

Janelle Hoback – Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat Scholarship

Abbey Hoertz – Helen E. Evans Scholarship

Addyson Holsinger – Nancy O. Whitaker Memorial and Beatrice Prior Memorial scholarships

Suzannah Houpt – Dr. James S. & Mary Gray Greetham Memorial Scholarship

Nevaeh Hunter – Chivington Family Scholarship

I

Parker Iden – Kory Kirkpatrick Memorial Scholarship

Taylor Iden – Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat Scholarship

Abby Isler – Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat Scholarship

Gracie Isler – Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat Scholarship

J

Annabell Johnson – Taft Middle School Music Dept., Marion Rotary Club’s Robert C. Dowd, and Beatrice Prior Memorial scholarships

Riley Jolliff – Wesley & Karen Schertzer Memorial, Marion Rotary Club’s R.T. Lewis, and Adam Johnston Memorial scholarships

Amiah Jones – Marion Elks Lodge No. 32 Scholarship

Mackenzie Jones – Collier Scholarship

K

Caden Kerr – Youth Engaged in Philanthropy Scholarship

Casey Kimball – Gary & Diana Sims Family Scholarship

RaeAnna King – Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat Scholarship

Allyson Kirkman – Donald S. & Beulah Mae Williams Scholarship

Kylie Klaiber – Whirlpool Corporation / OnePower STEM, Jacob Pfeiffer & Kevin Pfeiffer Memorial, Pleasant Local Schools Board of Education, and Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat scholarships

Ezekiel Klenzman – Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat Scholarship

Abbey Knight – Ted & Elaine Mitchell and Dr. Kathy Dixon Memorial scholarships

Lainey Kyte – Roger L. Baker & Cora M. Baker Scholarship

L

Makena LaBarge – Bill & Joan Cones and Mandy Kruder Memorial scholarships

Caroline Lee – Whirlpool Corporation / OnePower STEM and Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat scholarships

Jared Leikala – Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat Scholarship

Lauren Leslie – Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat Scholarship

Emma Lichtenberger – Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat Scholarship

Alexander Lisiecki – Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat Scholarship

Ayla Longacre – Beatrice Prior Memorial and Kathy & Malcolm Goodman scholarships

Kathryn Longmeier – Marion Noon Kiwanis Club Scholarship II

Kaiden Luikart – Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat Scholarship

Chloe Lust – Helen & Bob Bintz Scholarship

Collin Lust – Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat Scholarship

Nash Lust – Elgin Alumni Association and Marion Rotary Club’s Robert E. Kibbey scholarships

M

Shannon Malone – Whirlpool Corporation/OnePower STEM,  Marion Rotary Club’s Warren G. Harding, and Isabel Freer Memorial scholarships

Emma Manbeck – Collier Scholarship

Ashley Martinez Ramirez – Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat Scholarship

Hannah Marvich – Quintin & Alice Linn scholarship

Brooklyn Mathews – Daniel B. Stover Memorial and Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat scholarships

Callie Mathews – Linda & Mike Rizzo Scholarship

Lathan McCants – James A. Flickinger Memorial Scholarship

Jack McCrery – Marion Rotary Club’s R.T. Lewis, Marion Rotary Club’s Warren Brown, and Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat scholarships

Madeline McFarland – Whirlpool Corporation/OnePower STEM, Kannan Family, and Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat scholarships

Elijah McGinniss – Voll Family Bowling Green State University and Nancy O. Whitaker Memorial scholarships

Ellery McGuire – Nancy O. Whitaker Memorial Scholarship

Marinn McGuire – Whirlpool Corporation/OnePower STEM and Marion Elks Lodge No. 32 scholarships

Emma McKenney – Herbert & Jane Tillett Scholarship

Hannah McKinniss – Ridgemont Scholarship

Zeke McNulty – Dr. Shelton & Becky Williams Scholarship

Brandon Meade – Linda & Mike Rizzo Scholarship

Meagan Meadows – Ron & Phyllis Craycraft Scholarship

Josh Meinberg-Spillane – Gladys & Everett Granger Memorial Scholarship

Quinn Menzie – Louise Kling Scholarship

Zane Menzie – Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat Scholarship

Malachi Middleton – Dr. Tarlok & Amar Purewal Scholarship

Harrison Mohr – Jerew Family Memorial Scholarship

Landon Moore – Gary & Diana Sims Family, James A. Flickinger Memorial, and Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat scholarships

Maura Murphy – Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat Scholarship

Macaden Murrell – Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat Scholarship

N

Ivan Ni – Whirlpool Corporation/OnePower STEM, Alex Cooper Memorial, and Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat scholarships

Ethan Nutter – Calvin H. & Elizabeth L. Topliff Scholarship

O

Taydon Obenour – Pleasant Academic Boosters, William & Marjorie Grover, and Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat scholarships

Jaidyn Opuni – Eugene & Cecilia Reszczynski and Dr. Noel & Maria Eboh Family scholarships

P

Gavinn Parish – Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat Scholarship

Carter Park – David K. Rogers Memorial and Paul Pezley Baseball scholarships

Maddison Payne – Andrew Wigton Memorial and Mandy Kruder Memorial scholarships

Christian Pearson – Douglas & Elaine Waring Memorial, Eugene & Cecilia Reszczynski, Geraldine M. Hedges Memorial, Joe & Peggy Casey Memorial, and Marion Rotary Club’s Hoover Brown scholarships

Paige Powers – Randy & Rosalie Drazba Scholarship

Ronald Prater – Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat Scholarship

Olivia Pratt – Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat Scholarship

Graham Price – Roger L. Baker & Cora M. Baker Scholarship

R

Abby Raber – Fowble Family Scholarship

BriAnna Ramey – Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat Scholarship

Ryan Ratliff – Donald B. Justice Memorial Scholarship

Carter Ryan Rawlins – Marion Music Club, Louise Kling, and Clare Cooke Performing Arts scholarships

Julianne Reger – Marion Women’s Business Council and Catherine Leila Ferguson Memorial scholarships

A’nya Reynolds – Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat Scholarship

Gavin Rhodes – Gary W. Troll Memorial and Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat scholarships

Morgen Rhodes – Mitchell Libster and Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat scholarships

Porter Rick – Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat Scholarship

Rylan Riffle – Roger L. Baker & Cora M. Baker Scholarship

Marissa Rinehart – Marion Rotary Club’s George Brown Scholarship

Hailey Robinson – Gary & Diana Sims Family, Jeffrey Rainey Memorial, and Mandy Kruder Memorial scholarships

Nicole Robinson – Kannan Family Scholarship

Val Rodriguez – Lo Family Scholarship

Evelyn Runyon – River Valley Music Honor Society Scholarship

Lillian Ruth – Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat Scholarship

Madelyn Ruth – Irene Ballinger Memorial Scholarship

Keegan Rutledge – Collier Scholarship

S

Ryan Sandy – Marion Rotary Club’s James M. Bazzoli, M.D., Scholarship

Kaelyn Saylor – Ridgemont Scholarship

Andrew Schlecht – Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat Scholarship

Racheal Schoen – Donna M. Flach Memorial and Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat scholarships

Brenda Scott – Whirlpool Corporation/OnePower STEM, Craig, and Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat scholarships

Vivian Seitter – Whirlpool Corporation/OnePower STEM, Cheryl Oehler Memorial, Mandy Kruder Memorial, and Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat scholarships

Nyla Sharp Holmes – Jeannette White Memorial and Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat scholarships

Adrian Shipley – Dr. Herman and Mrs. Jean Reas Scholarship

Jackson Shipley – Mandy Kruder Memorial and Alex Family scholarships

Stephanie Shoemaker – Marion Area Auxiliary, Richard & Donna (Converse) Lawrence, and Marion Rotary Club’s James M. Bazzoli, M.D. scholarships

Taryn Simmers – Art & Anne Huggler Memorial and Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat scholarships

Ellie Smith – Jeannette Turner Memorial Scholarship

Hailey Smith – Eula M. Rhoads Scholarship

Raina Smith – Marion Rotary Club’s Warren Brown, Beatrice Prior Memorial, and Kory Kirkpatrick Memorial scholarships

Torey Smith – Jacob Pfeiffer & Kevin Pfeiffer Memorial and Tasha Jones Memorial scholarships

John Snively – Civitan Club of Marion Scholarship

Halle Snyder – Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat Scholarship

Anna Songer – Marion Rotary Club’s John C. Keggan Scholarship

Wyatt Southward – Roger L. Baker & Cora M. Baker Scholarship

Allison Stacklin – Roger L. Baker & Cora M. Baker Scholarship

Patrick Stacklin – Rebecca S. Craig and Ridgemont scholarships

Gracelyn Staley – Marion Music Club and Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat scholarships

Madison Staton – Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat Scholarship

Aubree Steele – Marion Noon Kiwanis Club Scholarship  II

Gabriela Stefanka – Ted & Elaine Mitchell Scholarship

Shelby Stimson – Dr. Herman & Mrs. Jean Reas Scholarship

Samantha Stover – Beatrice Prior Memorial and Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat scholarships

Sidney Street – John & Jackie Watkins and Clifford & Frances Strine Family scholarships

Brooke Strine – Eddie Shelton Agricultural Scholarship

Luke Strine – Ted & Elaine Mitchell Scholarship

T

Miana Taylor – Y-Men’s Service Club Scholarship

Logan Thrapp- Carey Family Scholarship

Sofia Tinnerello – William & Martha Buckingham Scholarship

Jace Trachtenberg – Stephanie K. Lust Memorial Scholarship

Meleah Tway – Logan Stevens Memorial, Marion Noon Kiwanis Club, and Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat scholarships

V

Alexandra Vandeborne – Mountz Girls Scholarship

Kenzi Vaught – Randy & Rosalie Drazba and Janet Palm Memorial scholarships

Jordyoh Velazquez Lopez – Aris Kasotis Memorial Scholarship

W

Makenna Waddell – John D. O’Shea & Kathleen E. O’Shea Scholarship

Whitney Waddell – Jeannette Turner Memorial Scholarship

Emma Waesch – Gladys & Everett Granger Memorial Scholarship

Grace Waldo – Gregory A. Rees Memorial Scholarship

Ki Walter – Carol S. Geissler Memorial, Taft Middle School Music Dept., and Janet Palm Memorial scholarships

Ashley Watkins – Judge Thomas K. Jenkins, Norman Withrow Golf, and Mary Ellen Withrow scholarships

McKinley Webb – Stephanie K. Lust Memorial Scholarship

Sawyer Weston – Marion Rotary Club’s Karl W. Schell Scholarship

Kacee Whitaker – Jeannette Turner Memorial Scholarship

Emerson Williams – John D. O’Shea & Kathleen E. O’Shea Scholarship

Dylan Wilson – Jeannette Turner Memorial Scholarship

Lauren Wingfield – Ridgemont Scholarship

For more information, visit www.marioncommunityfoundation.org or call 740-387-9704.