Scholarship Winners 2008

Four scholarship recipients, who were chosen from a field of 21 applications from seven schools throughout the county, were honored at our July luncheon. This year's group of applicants was especially talented. They had impressive scholastic records, exemplary leadership experiences, and exceptional community service projects. Each of this year's recipients brings a unique background to the field of education. We can be encouraged by the quality of our future educators.

Rachel Baughman has been a participant and planner for the annual Kent Roosevelt leadership retreat, and she has been inspired to major in history and leadership at Marietta College. She participated in drama, choir, student government, school paper, and her church youth group. Rachel would like to help close the achievement gap for disadvantaged students through Teach For America. She also plans to teach high school history and establish a leadership program.

Ashley Bault

Waterloo High School's Ashley Bault will continue her family tradition in education careers-her parents both teach in Ravenna and her brother is a Heidelberg College education major. She plans to attend Marietta College . She tutors students of all grade levels and teaches basketball and gymnastics. At Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center, Ashley teaches mentally and physically disabled children to ride horses. She played basketball and ran track in high school.

Kelly Christian

Volunteering has been important to Kelly Christensen for many years. She was second in her class at Rootstown High School. She has been active in 4-H and her church youth group. Kelly volunteered in Truchas, New Mexico and was an ambassador portraying a positive image of America in Freiburg, Germany. She will attend Bowling Green State University and major in music education and music composition, with a minor in creative writing. She plans teach high school music.

Kera LeMasters

Kera Lemasters will attend Mount Union College to become a special education teacher and hopes to return to teach in Portage County. At Southeast High School she participated in basketball and cross country. A 13-year member of 4-H, she has earned numerous recognitions. She gives swimming lessons to disabled children and pony rides to Happy Day School kids. She visits nursing homes, and she also makes cards with directions to cure common illnesses for people in underprivileged countries.