Graduating Seniors Receive Scholarship from the OTA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

4/26/2023

Graduating Seniors Receive Scholarships from the Ohio Township Association

Blacklick, Ohio—Jessica Guilfoyle of Crosby Township in Hamilton County, Madeline Ramsey of Bainbridge Township in Geauga County, Nathan Paprocki of Goshen Township in Clermont County, Austin Rush of Monroe Township in Licking County, and Hayden Wells of Scioto Township in Pickaway County are the recipients of the 2023 Ohio Township Association scholarships.

“Through fundraising and donations, the OTA is proud to be able to offer scholarships to high school graduates from Ohio townships every year,” said Heidi M. Fought, the Executive Director of the OTA. “The students receiving our scholarships this year exemplify what it means to be leaders in their academics, local governments, and trades.”

Guilfoyle was awarded the Academic Achievement scholarship. Daughter of Jeff and Lori Guilfoyle, she will be graduating from William Henry Harrison High School and plans to attend Miami University.

"I felt like Miami University was the best option for me because of its academic rigor, opportunities for growth, and beautiful campus," Guilfoyle said. Guilfoyle plans to study Biology and Pre-Medical Studies with minors in Spanish and Psychological Sciences. She looks forward to new opportunities for growth.

Paprocki, son of John and Melissa Paprocki, was awarded one of the two Academic Achievement scholarships. He will be graduating from Goshen High School and plans to attend Miami University's College of Engineering and Computing.

"I was looking for a small-town college that had the resources of a big school," Nathan said. "With a strong community and academic reputation, I knew Miami was a good fit." Nathan plans to study Computer Science and is excited to combine technology with his other interests and apply his studies across multiple disciplines.

Ramsey was awarded one of the two Local Government Achievement scholarships. Daughter of Rod and Lisa Ramsey, she will be graduating from Kenston High School and plans to attend the Franciscan University of Steubenville to study Theology and Philosophy.

"The school has a great program for my majors," Madeline said. "I also wanted a Franciscan school because I love St. Francis' dedication to nature." Madeline noted that another deciding factor for this university was the "strong community and Catholic spirituality." She is excited to learn more about spiritual truth and looks forward to finding ways to cultivate an appreciation for God's environmental creation.

Rush was also awarded a Local Government Achievement scholarship. Son of Michael and Corinna Rush, he will be graduating from St. Francis DeSales High School and plans to attend Ohio University.

"Ohio University's accommodation to combining the engineering program with other disciplines" was a deciding factor, Austin said. Austin plans to study Mechanical Engineering and is also looking forward to learning the skills required to carry out his goal of product design.

Wells was awarded the OTA Trade School scholarship. Son of Jake and Amber Wells, he will be graduating from Teays Valley High School and plans to attend the Ohio Fire Academy and Grant Paramedic programs.

"I am presently completing my Fire I and II as a senior," Hayden said. "I will complete my EMT training at the OFA in the fall and continue at Grant Paramedic for my paramedic certification." Hayden plans to pursue a career in Fire and EMT services and is excited about following in a career that he grew up around, as his father is currently Assistant Fire Chief for Norwich Township. Hayden enjoys the camaraderie within the fire service and also looks forward to learning from the seasoned members of the fire service.

The OTA began offering scholarships to high school seniors in 2005. Five $1,500 scholarships are offered each year in three categories: academic achievement, local government achievement, and trade school. Recipients must be U.S. citizens, reside in an Ohio township, and plan to attend a two- or four-year Ohio college or university (or technical program in the case of the trade school scholarship). For more information about the OTA scholarships or to apply, please visit our website.

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The Ohio Township Association is a statewide organization dedicated to the promotion and preservation of township government in Ohio. The OTA was founded on June 28, 1928 and is organized in 87 Ohio counties. OTA has more than 5,200 active members, made up of trustees and fiscal officers from Ohio’s 1,308 townships, and more than 4,000 associate members.