Three recent grads earn OHSAA scholarships

COLUMBUS — The Ohio High School Athletic Association and its six District Athletic Boards have awarded $200,000 to 200 recent high school graduates as part of the OHSAA's Scholar-Athlete scholarship program. 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 included Norwalk's Lillian Farmer, Edison's Abe Hermes and Monroeville's Grace Stieber. Farmer, who was also the Class of 2025 valedictorian at NHS, was also an All-SBC Lake first team selection in soccer and softball for the Truckers. A three-sport standout in football (quarterback), wrestling and baseball, Hermes was a state champion wrestler for the Chargers, and was an All-Ohioan all four years. He was All-SBC Bay first team in football, and in baseball was the league player of the year. At Monroeville, Stieber made 198 digs on the Firelands Conference and district champion Eagles' volleyball team. On the hardcourt in the winter, Stieber was the FC Player of the Year and earned All-Ohio special mention honors while setting new marks for single-season and career three-pointers. "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 selection process Scholar-athlete recipients are selected based on a point system which rewards students for: grade-point averages, class rank, community service activities, 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 (40)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, Milan 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