The Portage Foundation announced the names of scholarship recipients for 2022. This year’s awards totaled over $58,000 and represent the diverse nature of Portage County and its residents.
Many of the scholarships offer to students were from Endowed Funds created in the memory of Portage County residents. The Portage Foundation staff appreciates the trust that donors place with us in helping to keep their loved one’s memory alive through scholarship funds. For more information regarding the creation of, or donation towards, scholarship funds, please contact our offices.
Previous
Next
2022 Scholarship Recipients
The Bailey Simons – Frank Family Memorial Endowed Scholarship was created to honor the life of Bailey Simons, a Rootstown student who died in a car accident in 2015. Known for her caring nature, outgoing personality, and community involvement, Bailey will continue to inspire and lead Rootstown High School students for many years to come, thanks to the scholarship that her family established in her memory. The 2022 Bailey Simons- Frank Family Memorial Endowed Scholarship recipients are Gyllien Anderson, Clara Butcher, and Evand Birkett.
Doug Cowell was a lifelong resident of Ravenna, graduating from Ravenna High School in 1962. During his scholastic career at Ravenna High School, Doug was a member of the track, football, and wrestling teams. As a defensive tackle, he became “famous” for scoring a 68-yard touchdown. Cowell had a distinguished career spanning 24 years at the Ravenna Police Department, which included many initiatives to support children and senior citizens that had positive impacts throughout the community. Known as a man whom everyone respected and admired, his death in 1992 was a tremendous loss to the community. The Douglas Cowell Memorial Scholarship was established to honor his memory, with the award going to a Ravenna High School senior who was an active member of the football team and has an interest in pursuing a career in law enforcement. The 2022 Douglas Cowell Memorial Scholarship recipients are Christian Neff and Eathan Cobbin.
The Mark Klima Scholarship was established by Charles and Carol Klima to honor the memory of their only child. A freshman at Rootstown High School when he died, Klima aspired to become a doctor. The award is given to Rootstown seniors who, like Klima, have a long-term life goal and were able to demonstrate tenacity. The 2022 Mark Klima Scholarship recipients are Gyllien Anderson, Jenna Kurtz, Clara Butcher, Julia Langguth, Evand Birkett.
Bernie J. Kosar, former professional football player who was raised in Boardman and maintains his interest in N.E. Ohio, specifically in assisting students as the work to achieve their academic goals. Mr. Kosar is particularly interested in students at Crestwood High School and his Bernie J. Kosar Crestwood Endowed Scholarship benefits a student demonstrating leadership, strength, compassion, mentoring, community involvement and volunteerism. The 2022 recipient is Drew Ferrari
The George L. and Genevieve D. Moore Family Trust has supported Aurora High School seniors since 2014. The scholarships are given to those demonstrating need, with students required to earn matching funds through gainful employment. The 2022 George L. and Genevieve D. Moore Family Scholarship recipients are:
Mitchell Curtis
Makayla Ressler
Devon Salgado
Nolan Miley
Grace Williamson
Avery Hendl
Lydia Schiopota
Faith Carlson
Natalie Davet
Anthony Dolata
Brandon Witmer
Melanie Keller
Ryley Wisniewski
Alexander Moore
Payton Verespej
Frances A. Patterson Memorial Endowed Scholarship was established by friends and family to honor the memory of a larger than life individual. Frances Patterson encouraged others to share in her love for horses having participated for more than 45 years as a 4-H advisor and as a Pony Club D.C. As a tireless advocate for children and animals, Patterson was admired for her ability to bring out the best in those with whom she met. Patterson was active in Farm Bureau council, volunteered on local township and school committees, and was a member of the Carousal Association. The award benefits students who have been active members of an Ohio 4-H Horse Program. The 2022 Frances A. Patterson Memorial Scholarship recipient is Molly Roosa.
The PCCAN-Portage County College Access Network-Endowed Scholarship was established in 2015 by the Community Action Council of Portage County, Inc. Given to a graduating senior from Ravenna High School, the scholarship recipient demonstrates leadership, strength, compassion, mentoring, and community involvement/volunteerism. The 2022 PCCAN recipient is Christian Neff.
The Anna Wang Roe Women in Science Scholarship, created by the 1979 Roosevelt High School graduate, is aimed at helping young women at RHS who want to make a difference in the disciplines of science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM). Wang Roe has a longstanding interest in supporting women working in the sciences, motivated by her struggles to make a consuming research program compatible with family and personal goals. The 2022 Anna Wang Roe Women in Science Scholarship recipient is Paige Thompson.
In 1959, at the age of 29, Boyd Wallbrown Jr. and his wife Joan purchased a 93-acre farm in Deerfield, Ohio. Starting with nothing but the land and youthful ambition, Boyd and Joan began their journey by raising hogs and corn. Wallbrown was innovative, willing to take risks, and willing to sail into the uncharted waters of cutting-edge agricultural methods and technologies. He embraced progressive concepts such as no-till planting, liquid fertilizers, and steel bins for grain storage. In the 1960’s, he took the next step by founding Deerfield Farms Service Inc., which has continued to thrive and became Deerfield Ag Services in 2017 with more than 70 employees in four locations. The Boyd and Joan Wallbrown Agricultural Innovation Endowed Scholarship was established by their children and awarded to students choosing to pursue their education leading to a career in agricultural production, crop production or livestock/farm animals. The 2022 Boyd and Joan Wallbrown Agricultural Innovation Endowed Scholarship recipients are:
William Luli, Archbishop Hoban High School
Macee Mercure, Ohio State University
Ian Petz, Louisville High School
Ryan Irwin, West Branch High School
Bill White, previous owner of Twin Star Lanes, was instrumental in the development of the first high school bowling league in the greater Portage County area. With 4 of the 10 PTC bowling teams using his lanes as their home, White developed mentoring relationships with nearly every high school bowler in the area over many years. In 2010, Bill and his wife, Eddye, further proved their commitment to area youth and education by creating the Bill and Eddye White Bowling Endowed Scholarship for high school seniors who are members of their varsity bowling teams. The 2022 recipients and their schools are:
Sydney Coburn, Crestwood High School
Ethan Cmunt, James A Garfield
Tara Sefchick, Kent Roosevelt High School
Matthew Richards, Kent Roosevelt High School
Grayson Speck, Ravenna High School
Clara Butcher, Rootstown High School
The Darla Winnefeld Memorial Endowed Scholarship was established by her family and friends to honor a life filled with community service. Darla Ann (Bender) Winnefeld passed away in October 2020 but left a legacy of volunteerism in which her family and her community benefitted. With over 25 years spent volunteering and working within Rootstown Local Schools, plus additional time in healthcare and the Rootstown Volunteer Fire Company, Winnefeld touched many lives through her compassionate nature. It is in this spirit that the scholarship was created for Rootstown High School seniors. The 2022 Darla Winnefeld Memorial Endowed Scholarship recipient is Gyllien Anderson.