Columbus Grove Band Boosters Scholarship {3 - $500} - Mckayla Ricker, Daisy Stechschulte, and Delaney Wintersteller*

“The Band Booster Scholarship is given to students who exemplify service to the band program and have positively contributed to the band program.  Students who receive this reward often go above and beyond their typical music education through their leadership, their participation in extracurricular music activities like the Putnam County Honors Band, District or State Honors, Ensemble, and other music enrichment programs. Tonight the Band Boosters will be awarding 3 -$500 nonrenewable scholarships. McKayla Ricker, Daisy Stechschulte, Delaney Wintersteller Congratulations!”

Columbus Grove Chamber of Commerce Scholarship {1st Place $1000, 2nd Place $500} Keelie Langhals and Ella Dotson

“This year the Columbus Grove Chamber of Commerce once again sponsored a Scholarship Contest for the graduating class of Columbus Grove High School.  Students had to write a brief essay that answered the question - “How do you see the influence of social media on consumer behavior and business marketing?  Do you unintentionally contribute to the influence of business marketing on social media?  If so, explain how.” 

This year the chamber will be awarding the 2nd place winner a $500 nonrenewable scholarship - congratulations Keelie Langhals.  The  1st place winner will receive a  $1,000 nonrenewable scholarship.  Congratulations Ella Dotson!”

C.G.E.A. Scholarship {2- $500} - Keelie Langhals and Sara Henige

“The CGEA scholarship is open to any Columbus Grove senior with a cumulative grade point of 3.2 or higher.  The students had to complete an application form.   This year's applicants did a great job in academics, service, and character.   The winners will receive $500. Congratulations to the 2025 CGEA Scholarship winners-  Keelie Langhals and Sara Henige.”

Red Cross & NHS Blood Drive Scholarship - Karsyn Garmatter & Keelie Langhals

J. Earl Belch Charitable Trust Scholarship {16 - $5,000} - Lauryn Auchmuty, Ella Dotson, Cade Garmatter, Karsyn Garmatter, Cenah Grothaus, Sara Heige, Audrey Keehn, Keelie Langhals, Ty Meyer, Amber Michel, Grace Morman, Riley Sautter, Levi Schroeder, Daisy Stechschulte, Delaney Wintersteller*, Lainey Zarse.

Every year Columbus Grove seniors have an opportunity to apply for a scholarship with the J. Earl Belch Charitable Trust.  Part of that process is asking applicants what they value most in life.  Annually the trustees are impressed with the variation of what young adults value.  We have seen people who value family, friends, achievements, pets, freedoms and opportunities to just name a few.  One thing that we trustees always speak about when reviewing annual applications is how we value the effort that these applicants put forth during their high-school careers.  One of the many things you'll learn as you navigate life is that effort is rewarded appropriately along the way.  Whether it be from not putting forth any effort, or giving it your best, those choices will prove to be rewarded appropriately.  This year the trustees are choosing to reward effort.  All 16 seniors who took the effort and applied for a scholarship with the J. Earl Belch Charitable Trust will in fact receive a $5,000 scholarship to assist in their conscience of education.

Lions Club Scholarship {2- $500}  Keelie Langhals and Delaney Wintersteller*

“The Lions Club Scholarship applicants are evaluated on their volunteer hours and quality of essay that exhibits characteristics of service to school and community and a vision for the future.  By recognizing students with strength of character and a commitment to learning a vision for their future,  the Lions Club aims to invest in students who have the potential to positively affect their communities.  Tonight the Lions Club will be awarding 2 -$500 non renewable scholarships. Congratulations to  Keelie Langhals and Delaney Wintersteller, the Lions Club Scholarship winners. Both Keelie and Delaney have been 4 year members of the Leo Club and have been actively volunteering at events.”

James E. Killen Scholarship {1 - $800} - Karsyn Garmatter

The James E. Killen Scholarship is sponsored by the Kidd Family  and this year the recipient will be receiving a $800 nonrenewable scholarship. Students must complete an application and be attending the Ohio State University, Lima or Rhodes State College. Congratulations to  Karsyn Garmatter for earning the James E. Killen Family Scholarship. She plans to attend Rhodes State College and major in Nursing.

Gene Core Scholarship {2- $1,000} - Ty Meyer and Audrey Keehn

The Gene Core Scholarship is given to a senior that must complete an online application and write an essay about “What Patriotism to your country means?” Tonight we will be awarding 2- $1,000 nonrenewable scholarships.   The committee reviewed the applicants’ essays, academic records, attendance and involvement in extracurricular activities.  Congratulations to Ty Meyer and Audrey Keehn  for earning the 2025 Gene Core Scholarship!

Mercy Health St. Rita’s Scholarship - presented by Beth Keehn to Amber Michel

Governor’s Merit Scholarship - Sara Henige, Audrey Keehn,  Amber Michel

“The Ohio Governor's Merit Scholarship (GMS) is a state-funded, merit-based scholarship designed to encourage Ohio high school graduates to attend college in Ohio. It provides up to $5,000 per year for four years of full-time instruction, and it's awarded to students  inthe top 5% of their graduating class.  Each district determines the criteria for selection of this scholarship.  The Columbus Grove High School criteria is as follows:  Cumulative GPA: The student(s) with the highest cumulative GPA is awarded the scholarship.

Grant Siefker Memorial Scholarship {2-$1,000} - Kylee Longworth and Sara Henige

The Grant Siefker Memorial Scholarship must complete an application provided to the school from  Adam & Kim Siefker in memory of their son.  The donation is from the Adam and Kim Siefker family and Phil and Beth Mason Family.  Grant was an excellent student and very involved in Columbus Grove athletics.  The scholarship is awarded on the basis of the students’ academic merit, accomplishments in extra-curriculars, and volunteremins.  Tonight we will be awarding two $1,000 non-renewable scholarships to  Kylee Longworth and Sarah Henige. 

Courtney Ehrnsberger Memorial Scholarship {1-$300} - Ella Dotson

The Courtney Hershberger Memorial Scholarship was started in 2022 by Crystal Dunlap who is a breast cancer survivor and wanted to find a way to bring awareness to not just breast cancer but all cancers as it seems to have an impact on many of us.  This year's proceeds were raised by selling gun tickets.  Courtney was a loving  mother to 3 boys.  She was a wife, a sister, a daughter, an aunt and a friend to many.  Courtney was diagnosed at the young age of 25 with breast cancer and unfortunately lost her battle on December 12, 2021. This scholarship is meant to keep her memory alive.  Students were to write an essay telling us how they were affected by cancer and what they would do to help cancer patients, and/or their families and what we can do to help educate people about cancer.  The scholarship winner was selected by Professor Elizbeth Obringer who was a nursing professor at Rhodes State and a breast cancer survivor as well.  Ella Dotson is this year's recipient. Congratulations and best of luck in all your future endeavors. 

Sons of the American Legion Post#516 Scholarship {3- $500} - will be determined at a later date

Photo Credit to Stacy Inbody

*Delaney Wintersteller was unable to attend the Senior Awards Program due to the girls softball game.