Franklin B. Walter Award

Southern Ohio Educational Service Center (SOESC) recognized four senior high school students from Adams, Clinton, Fayette, and Highland Counties for their academic success and school and community service at a Recognition Dinner on April 5.

Dan Roberts, Educational Consultant, shared ten simple statements he created that he felt would greatly benefit the recipients throughout their journey called LIFE. He concluded with his favorite saying from Abraham Lincoln, “Fame is a vapor. Popularity an accident and riches take wings. The only thing that endures is your character.”

Myla Toole, Adams County Recipient, plans to attend Xavier University and major in pre-medicine. Ms. Melanie Ohnewehr, High School Counselor, wrote a letter of recommendation for Myla Toole.

Ms. Ohnewehr said, “Ms. Toole is always doing her best work and has excelled in any area she applies herself to, whether it is academic or community service-related. When applying herself to a task, she works hard and sets her expectations for herself, and encourages those around her to excel as well.”

Jacob Lansing, Clinton County Recipient, plans to attend The Ohio State University and major in Animal Sciences. Ms. Georgette McClain, Biological Sciences Teacher, wrote a letter of recommendation for Jacob Lansing. 

Ms. McClain said, “Jacob is a top-performing student who is most concerned about actually learning course material and not just earning an “A.”  I have watched Jacob grow from a great student to a superb one; sharpening his study skills and evolving into someone who has learned the material well enough to explain it to other students. He manages to meet all of his obligations and never makes excuses. I must say he is one of the most dependable young people I have ever had the pleasure of working with.”

Mac Miller, Fayette County Recipient, is considering attending the University of Cincinnati and majoring in finance. Mr. David Penwell, a High School of Business Teacher, wrote a letter of recommendation for Mac Miller. 

Mr. Penwell said, “In my 16 years in education, Mac is the finest young man I have met. His caring, compassionate attitude for humanity is amazing. Mac truly cares about people. He brings out the best in people, and has a way of making them feel accepted and important.”

Bridget Wilkin, Highland County Recipient, plans to attend The Ohio State University and major in Health Exploration with an intent to become an anesthesiologist. Mr. R. Scott Howard, Deacon/Praise-Team Leader, wrote a letter of recommendation for Bridget Wilkin. 

Mr. Howard said, “As a member of our congregation, Bridget became our lead pianist at the age of fourteen and has far surpassed our expectations in terms of dedication, punctuality, and sheer enthusiasm for the job. There is no doubt in my mind that Bridget will succeed in anything she puts her mind to doing. She takes pride in her talents and puts 110% into everything she attempts.”

Mr. Curt Bradshaw, School Improvement Consultant for SOESC, shared the selection process and announced the overall recipient. “To honor former State Superintendent Dr. Franklin B. Walter, the Ohio Educational Service Center Association established the Franklin B. Walter All-Scholastic Awards to promote student achievement and recognize academic accomplishment. Myla Toole will represent  SOESC at the program in Lewis Center on Tuesday, May 3.”, said Mr. Bradshaw.

SOESC Superintendent Ms. Beth Justice said, “These four students truly represent the best of the best in the region, and I want to congratulate them on their many accomplishments. Students, we thank you for being leaders for our future and wish you the very best.”

Southern Ohio Educational Service Center provides specialized academic and support services to twelve school districts in Adams, Clinton, Fayette, and Highland Counties. Districts receive services from school improvement consultants, gifted and special education consultants, speech pathologists, psychologists, and special education teachers. 

North Adams senior Caitlin Young, center, receives the Franklin B. Walter All-Scholastic Award from Southern Ohio Educational Service Center Superintendent Beth Justice, left, and ACOVSD Superintendent Richard Seas, right.

Caitlin Young, daughter of Chris and Marla Young, is Adams County’s recipient of the Franklin B. Walter All-Scholastic Award.

“The Walter Award is incredibly prestigious, given to just one student in each county based on scholastics and academics,” said North Adams High School Principal Matt Young. “I am very proud of Caitlin for winning the award, our third in a row (Karly Boerger, Trey Meade).”

“Although it has no monetary value, the award is something that Caitlin and the North Adams community can be proud of.”
Young is planning on attending Marshall University in the fall to major in Pharmacy.

From left are: Beth Justice, Superintendent of the Southern Ohio Educational Service Center: Clinton County Franklin B. Walter Award recipient Avary Beatty; and North Point ESC Superintendent and President of the Ohio Educational Service Center Association Doug Crooks.

Beatty is a leader in her school’s academic, civic, and athletic community.

Avary is a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish and Key Clubs. She has served as a tutor for students with disabilities, participated in several community outreach programs, and competed on East Clinton’s volleyball, softball, and Quick Recall teams.

Beatty looks forward to living in an urban area and one day proving that just because she comes from a small rural area does not mean that she cannot accomplish anything that sets their heart to.

Avary Beatty is the daughter of Dawn Moon.

The award was established in 1989 by OESCA to promote and recognize outstanding student leaders for their academic achievement and service to their school and communities.

“Over the last 28 years, OESCA has recognized over 2,000 scholars and student leaders during this event,” said Beth Justice, Southern Ohio ESC superintendent. “We wish Blake great success as he pursues his studies at the college level.”

Blake is ranked first in his class and plans to attend Wright State University where he will play soccer and study biomedical engineering.

Blake is known throughout his school community as an athlete, musician, scholar and student leader.

Highland County

Pictured (l-r) are Superintendent of the Southern Ohio Educational Service Center Beth Justice, Highland County Franklin B. Walter Award recipient Brittany Ernst and North Point ESC Superintendent and President of the Ohio Educational Service Center Association Doug Crooks. (Submitted photo)

Brittany Ernst, a senior at Lynchburg-Clay High School, was selected as the Highland County winner from the Southern Ohio Educational Service Center.

On Wednesday, April 13, the Ohio Educational Service Center Association (OESCA) recognized 82 of Ohio’s top students from across the state during the 27th Annual Franklin B. Walter All-Scholastic Awards Program, named in honor of Ohio’s 31st State Superintendent of Public Instruction. The award was established in 1989 by the OESCA to promote and recognize outstanding student leaders for their academic achievement and service to their school and communities. One senior from each county in Ohio is eligible to receive this honor, and Christopher Meade, a senior at North Adams High School, was selected as the Adams County winner from the Southern Ohio Educational Service Center.

“Over the last 27 years, the OESCA has recognized over 2000 scholars and student leaders during this event,” said Tony Long, Southern Ohio ESC Superintendent. “We wish Trey great success as he pursues his studies at the college level.”

Pictured, from left, are area winners of the 27th annual Franklin B. Walter Award: Christopher “Trey” Meade of North Adams High School, Nikki Settlemyre of Clinton-Massie High School, Madison Smith of Lynchburg-Clay High School and Benjamin Hollar, Miami Trace High School.

Adams County:

Christopher Meade, a senior at North Adams High School, was selected as the Adams County winner from the Southern Ohio Educational Service Center.

Meade is ranked first in his class and plans to attend University of Rio Grande where he will pursue a degree in secondary education in the field of Mathematics.

Meade is a student leader, scholar, musician, and athlete. He is the current vice president for the National Honor Society, has been a member of the Beta Club, Spanish Club, Table Tennis Club, Talented and Gifted Program, North Adams High School Choir, All-County Choir, homecoming and prom committee, and has served as a teacher assistant.

Meade has also served his community through his participation in the Hoxworth Blood Drive, Annual Lions Club Fundraiser, Earth Day events, School Beautification, Lawn Care of Ill and/or Immobile Neighbors, Salvation Army, Annual Holiday Canned Food Drive, Toy, and Clothing Drives, Church Beautification, and Game Day Administration for Local Youth Basketball League.

Meade was the grade-level winner of the Americanism Test his freshman year and went on to be the Grade Level and County Winner his junior year. He also received the Ohio Congressional Commendation for Academic/Athletic Achievement.

A four-year member of the North Adams’ basketball and baseball teams, Meade was named team captain in his senior year. He was also named District 14 Coaches Association Honorable Mention All-District and Associated Press All Southeast District Special Mention in 2015, and OHSBCA Academic All-District in 2015 and 2016 in football. In baseball, Meade was named District 14 Coaches Association Honorable Mention All-District in 2015, Academic All-District and Sectional Champion in 2014 and 2015.

Looking to the future, Meade plans to one day teach secondary, upper level mathematics and coach high school basketball and baseball.

He is the son of Rob and Christa Meade.

Clinton County:

Nikki Settlemyre, a senior at Clinton-Massie High School, was selected as the Clinton County winner from the Southern Ohio Educational Service Center.

Settlemyre is ranked first in her class and plans to attend the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University where she will pursue degrees in business and law. Settlemyre hopes to one day aid people who become lost in the dense language of the legal system.

Settlemyre is a student leader, musician, and athlete. She has served her school community as co-editor of the yearbook, Key Club president, National Honor Society president, class officer, teacher’s aide, peer tutor, and member of the prom committee,

She is a former member of the CM concert band, volleyball team, and the Handbell Choir at the Presbyterian Church of Wilmington, where is an active member of the youth group.

Settlemyre was a 2013 Anthony Munoz Leadership Seminar Attendee, a 2015 Buckeye Girls State Delegate, and has been a member of the CM Academic Team since 2013, where in 2016 she ranked seventh out of 90 individuals at the NAQT Waverly High School Invitational Tournament. She will travel with the team this month as it makes its third consecutive appearance at the NAQT Small School National Tournament in Minneapolis.

Believing that education extends beyond the classroom, Settlemyre plans to participate in the many extracurricular clubs, Christian groups, and community service opportunities offered as part of her college experience.

Looking to the future, Settlemyre is optimistic that she will participate in internships that will one day lead her to joining a company where she can advance and benefit from career opportunities.

While Settlemyre considers herself to be very ambitious, she says she will never allow her profession to take priority over her family. Her ultimate goal in life is to be happy, which to Settlemyre is being enveloped in the loving embrace of her supportive family.

Nikki Settlemyre is the daughter of John and Joy Settlemyre.

Highland County:

“Over the last 27 years, the OESCA has recognized over 2,000 scholars and student leaders during this event,” said Tony Long, Southern Ohio ESC superintendent. “We wish Madison great success as she pursues her studies at the college level.”

Smith is ranked first in her class and will be attending Kent State University where she will major in hospitality management and business.

As a student leader, Smith serves as president of the National Honor Society and secretary of the student council. She is a three-year member and current editor of the yearbook staff and a four-year varsity cheerleader, serving as captain her junior year.

Smith has served as a Special Olympics volunteer and has also participated in the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. She is a nine-year member and officer within the 4-H organization, where she earned the State Fair 2014 Outstanding of the Day Recipient and the Outstanding Senior Nutrition Exhibitor. Smith has served on the Highland County Fair Board and Highland County Family and Consumer Sciences Board, and has been awarded the DAR Good Citizens Scholarship.

Looking to the future, Smith hopes to utilize her education and experience in hospitality management and business to work as an event coordinator at a vacation resort.

She is the daughter of Greg and Ronda Smith.

On Wednesday, April 9, 2014, the Ohio Educational Service Center Association (OESCA) recognized 82 of Ohio’s top students from across the state during the 25th Annual Franklin B. Walter All-Scholastic Awards Program.

The awards program, named in honor of Ohio’s 31st State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Franklin B. Walter, was established in 1989 by OESCA to promote and recognize outstanding student leaders for their academic achievement and service to their schools and communities.  One senior from each county in Ohio was eligible to receive this annual honor.

Adams County:

Elijah Bedel, a senior at West Union high school, was the Adams county winner from the Southern Ohio Educational Service Center.  Elijah plans to major in Environmental Studies.

Clinton County:

Farrah Bekheet, a senior at Wilmington high school, was the Clinton county winner from the Southern Ohio Educational Service Center.  Farrah plans to major in Neuroscience.

Fayette County:

Dallas DeBruin, a senior at Miami Trace high school, was the Fayette county winner from the Southern Ohio Educational Service Center.  Dallas plans to attend either Xavier University or University of Dayton and major in Entrepreneurship.

Highland County:

James Levi Goble, a senior at Lynchburg-Clay high school, was the Highland county winner from the Southern Ohio Educational Service Center.  Levi plans to attend Wittenberg University in the fall and major in Physics and Geology.

Adams County:

L-R:  Cheryl Greene; Haley Jo Greene; Nelson McCray, President, Ohio Educational Service Center Association; Linda Naylor, Principal, Peebles High School; Kathy Pryor, Guidance Counselor, Peebles High School.

Haley Jo Greene, a senior at Peebles High School has been honored by the Ohio Educational Service Center Association and the Southern Ohio Educational Service Center as Clinton County’s 2013 Franklin B. Walter All Scholastic Award winner.  

Ms. Greene plans to attend the University of Cincinnati and major in Food and Nutrition.

Ms. Greene is a member of the Peebles High School National Honor Society.  She has tutored students struggling in Spanish and is the pianist for the school choir. She plays on the Peebles High school Varsity softball team and also played Varsity Volleyball.  

Commenting on her goals, Ms. Greene stated, “A goal in my life is to use Spanish to reach clients that have broken or zero English skills, and to share God’s love in the mission field in foreign areas.”

Haley is the daughter of Matthew and Cheryl Greene.

Clinton County:

Miranda Sternsher, a senior at Clinton-Massie High School has been honored by the Ohio Educational Service Center Association and the Southern Ohio Educational Service Center as Clinton County’s 2013 Franklin B. Walter All Scholastic Award winner.

Ms. Sternsher plans to attend Cedarville University and earn a Bachelor Degree in Nursing.  She would then like to earn a Master's degree as a Nurse Practitioner.

Ms. Sternsher is a member of the Clinton-Massie High School National Honor Society, and served as Vice President her senior year.  She has been ranked first in her class for overall GPA all four years of high school thus receiving the Top Ten Award.  Ms. Sternsher has been on the Falconettes Dance Team from 2006-2012 where she held the position of Squad Leader her Junior Year. She also represented Clinton-Massie at the Clinton County Business Advisory Speech Contest in 2010.

Commenting on her goals, Ms. Sternsher stated, “I have the goal of getting some of my creative writing published, either in a collection or magazine.”  She also plans to become fluent in Spanish in order to use it professionally and personally.

Miranda is the daughter of Dann and Judi Sternsher.

Fayette County:

L-R: Nico Straathof, Elzbieta Straathof, Judith Straathof, Nelson McCray, President, Ohio Educational Service Center; Robert Enochs, Principal, Miami Trace High School; Shirley Preston, Guidance Counselor, Miami Trace High School; Tony Long, Superintendent, Southern Ohio Educational Service Center

Judith Straathof, a senior at Miami Trace High School has been honored by the Ohio Educational Service Center Association and the Southern Ohio Educational Service Center as Fayette County’s 2013 Franklin B. Walter All Scholastic Award winner.  

Ms. Straathof plans to attend college after graduation.

Ms. Straathof is a member of the Miami Trace High School National Honor Society.  She was awarded the Academic Booster Club Top Ten Award all four years of high school for being ranked as number one academically in her class.  She was also a delegate at Buckeye Girls State in 2012.

Commenting on her goals, Ms. Straathof plans to graduate college with honors and start her career.  She stated, “Succeeding doesn’t mean making a lot of money, it means being happy with what I’m doing.”     

Judith is the daughter of Nico and Elzbieta Straathof.

Highland County:

L-R:  Ami Brinley, Guidance Counselor, Laurel Oaks CDC; Ron Friend, Board Member, Fairfield Local Schools; Mike Thomas, Assistant Dean, Laurel Oaks CDC; Sherilyn Tolle; Haley Tolle; Nelson McCray, President, Ohio Educational Service Center Association; Bill Garrett, Superintendent, Fairfield Local Schools; and Tony Long, Superintendent, Southern Ohio Educational Service Center

Haley Tolle, a senior at Laurel Oaks/Fairfield Local High School has been honored by the Ohio Educational Service Center Association and the Southern Ohio Educational Service Center as Highland County’s 2013 Franklin B. Walter All Scholastic Award winner.  

Ms. Tolle plans to attend the College of Wooster and major in Psychology.

Ms. Tolle has been an active member of 4-H since 2005.  She also participated in Honor Choir, as well as Solo and Ensemble where she received Excellent Solo and Superior Solo.  She has received the Summer Conference Statesmen Award and the Fall Conference Statesmen Award in 2012.       

Commenting on her goals, Ms. Tolle stated, “I hope to have a Doctorate’s degree in the field of Psychology.  Specifically, I would prefer my studies to be within the Forensic Psychology field, allowing me to work as a Criminal Interrogator.”  

Haley is the daughter of Sherilyn Tolle.