Local students win scholarships

NEW LONDON — Firelands Electric Cooperative has awarded $10,500 in scholarships. Michael Telakowicz of Hillsdale High School was selected as the first-place winner of an $1,800 scholarship. The son of Kevin and Stacy Telakowicz, he plans to study computer science at the University of Akron in the fall. Telakowicz will also participate in a statewide contest on April 12 at Ohio's Electric Cooperatives in Columbus. During this event, representatives from Ohio's 24 electric co-ops have a chance to compete for additional scholarships worth up to $4,100. The second-place winner of $1,600 is Emma Packard of Ashland High School. Packard is the daughter of Josh and Wendy Packard of Ashland. She plans to study psychology at the University of Mount Union next fall. Allyson Wigton of Madison Comprehensive High School is the winner of the third-place, $1,400 scholarship. Daughter of Andrew and Melissa Wigton of Mansfield, she plans to study aeronautical engineering at The Ohio State University Mansfield Campus. Fourth-place winner of a $1,200 scholarship is Caitlyn Cutlip of Crestview High School. Cutlip is the daughter of William Cutlip of Shiloh. She plans to study music education and oboe performance next fall but is currently undecided which college she will attend. The fifth-place winner of $1,000 is Braden Kiesel of South Central High School. Kiesel is the son of Brian and Laura Kiesel of New London. He will be studying mining engineering at West Virginia University in the fall. Nathan Humrichouser of Crestview High School is the winner of the sixth-place, $750 scholarship. The son of Ben and Teresa Humrichouser of Ashland, he plans to study zoology or environmental science next fall but is undecided which college he will attend. The winners of Honorable Mention scholarships, worth $500 each, are Makayla Spoerr of Crestview High School and Lydia Chaffee of South Central High School. Spoerr is the daughter of Mike and Megan Spoerr of Greenwich. She will major in agriscience education at The Ohio State University Agricultural and Technical Institute next fall. Chaffee, the daughter of Ben and Jody Chaffee of North Fairfield, plans to major in integrated science education at Bowling Green State University in the fall. Allison Cawrse of Loudonville High School and Jenna Given of New London High School are the winners of Judges' Choice awards of $500 each. Cawrse is the daughter of Mark and Becky Cawrse of Loudonville. She plans to study public relations next fall at the University of Akron Wayne Campus. Given, daughter of James Given of New London, plans to major in environmental and field biology with a pre-veterinary focus. She is currently undecided which college she will attend. Jenna Rathburn of Celeryville Christian School is the winner of Firelands' $750 Career Scholarship. Rathburn is the daughter of Jeff and Rachel Rathburn of Willard. She plans to attend Cleveland's Lincoln Electric Welding School in the fall and enroll in their comprehensive welding program. Firelands Electric offers its scholarship contest annually to graduating high school seniors who reside in a home served by the cooperative. This year, the co-op received applications from students attending Ashland, Celeryville Christian, Crestview, Hillsdale, Loudonville, Mapleton, Madison Comprehensive, New London, Pioneer Career and Technology Center, and South Central high schools.