Sharon Women's Club awards seven scholarships
Pictured (left to right) are scholarship award winners Joe D’Amico, Ben Miller, Kaila Oberhaus, Gus Thonnings, and Julianne Origlio. Not pictured are Faith Stidham and Ethan Gerding. Submitted photo
SHARON CENTER – It was an exciting evening June 4 at the Sharon Town Hall for seven graduating seniors, who each received a scholarship award of $1,500 from the Sharon Women’s Club at a reception in their honor.
For 28 years, the women’s club had awarded scholarships to deserving high school graduates and college students in amounts of $500 to $1,000. In 2017 the dedicated effort of the women’s club to raise funds for scholarships came to the attention of the Hillier Family Foundation, which then granted an annual sum to provide scholarships to graduating seniors and college students who live in Sharon Township and technical or building trades scholarships to Highland High School graduates who have received two-year certificates from the Medina County Career Center.
The winners
Benjamin Miller, son of Dennis and Kimberly Miller, has proven himself a leader by creating jobs for himself since he was 14. He has been an excellent student in honors classes and was a member of the football team, in addition to being involved in other extra-curricular activities. According to his teachers, “Ben’s intelligence, positive attitude and quiet nature enable him to be an effective leader. He will study engineering at the University of Cincinnati.
Kaila Oberhaus, a scholar and athlete, has participated in softball, golf, cross-country and track during her high school years, in addition to being a successful gymnast, which led to a job as a coach. She was in honors and AP classes and was active in a number of school organizations. Described by one of her teachers “as a student with a thirst for learning and understanding beyond many young people and adults,” Kaila served as senior class president. She is the daughter of Mike and Kristin Oberhaus, and plans to attend The Ohio State University.
Gus Thonnings, the son of Kurt and Peggy Thonnings, has been described as “a hard-worker, volunteer, scholar athlete, member of many organizations and an employee since he was 14.” He is known for helping in the community wherever he is needed and goes beyond expectations. Gus, who served as the junior and senior class treasurer and also on the yearbook staff, will head for the University of Cincinnati to study aerospace engineering when school bells ring.
Julianne Origlio, a member of the Highland Band, was in advanced placement classes, and a volunteer, in addition to being employed as a caregiver for older adults, she has been described as “a true scholar with a love of learning, willing to go above and beyond expectations.” The time she has spent as a caregiver has influenced her to devote her life to helping others. Julianne, the daughter of Roland and Diane Origlio, will attend the University of Cincinnati to pursue a degree in psychology and then attend graduate school for a doctoral degree in clinical child psychology.
Faith Stidham, daughter of Richard and Julianne Stidham, was described as “a well-rounded student with a talent for math and science.” She plays the viola and was a member of the varsity girls’ rugby team during her high school years. She has been actively involved in the Sharon Live Wires 4-H Club for 12 years and served on the junior Fair Board. Her life experiences have led her to become an advocate for the environment. Her career choice reflects her strong involvement in 4-H. Faith plans to attend the University of Cincinnati to major in environmental engineering and participate in the accelerated masters’ program.
Ethan Gerding has successfully completed a number of advanced placement classes, belonged to a variety of school organizations, participated in football and track, and was a scholar athlete during his high school years. Ethan, the son of Dave and Beth Gerding, will attend Walsh University in North Canton to study physical therapy. He will be part of Walsh’s Early Assurance Physical Therapy Program and its Honors Program. In addition, he will be a member of the university’s track and field team.
Joe D’Amico, the career tech winner, who was introduced by tech chair Lee Nichols, is well on his way to becoming a successful HVAC technician. Through an early placement work-study program offered by the Medina County Career Center, he worked at ASAP Heating and Cooling, a local Sharon Township company. For his job, he must purchase tools, and he plans to use the scholarship money for that purpose. Joe is the son of Phillip and Cheryl D’Amico.
For 28 years, the women’s club had awarded scholarships to deserving high school graduates and college students in amounts of $500 to $1,000. In 2017 the dedicated effort of the women’s club to raise funds for scholarships came to the attention of the Hillier Family Foundation, which then granted an annual sum to provide scholarships to graduating seniors and college students who live in Sharon Township and technical or building trades scholarships to Highland High School graduates who have received two-year certificates from the Medina County Career Center.
The winners
Benjamin Miller, son of Dennis and Kimberly Miller, has proven himself a leader by creating jobs for himself since he was 14. He has been an excellent student in honors classes and was a member of the football team, in addition to being involved in other extra-curricular activities. According to his teachers, “Ben’s intelligence, positive attitude and quiet nature enable him to be an effective leader. He will study engineering at the University of Cincinnati.
Kaila Oberhaus, a scholar and athlete, has participated in softball, golf, cross-country and track during her high school years, in addition to being a successful gymnast, which led to a job as a coach. She was in honors and AP classes and was active in a number of school organizations. Described by one of her teachers “as a student with a thirst for learning and understanding beyond many young people and adults,” Kaila served as senior class president. She is the daughter of Mike and Kristin Oberhaus, and plans to attend The Ohio State University.
Gus Thonnings, the son of Kurt and Peggy Thonnings, has been described as “a hard-worker, volunteer, scholar athlete, member of many organizations and an employee since he was 14.” He is known for helping in the community wherever he is needed and goes beyond expectations. Gus, who served as the junior and senior class treasurer and also on the yearbook staff, will head for the University of Cincinnati to study aerospace engineering when school bells ring.
Julianne Origlio, a member of the Highland Band, was in advanced placement classes, and a volunteer, in addition to being employed as a caregiver for older adults, she has been described as “a true scholar with a love of learning, willing to go above and beyond expectations.” The time she has spent as a caregiver has influenced her to devote her life to helping others. Julianne, the daughter of Roland and Diane Origlio, will attend the University of Cincinnati to pursue a degree in psychology and then attend graduate school for a doctoral degree in clinical child psychology.
Faith Stidham, daughter of Richard and Julianne Stidham, was described as “a well-rounded student with a talent for math and science.” She plays the viola and was a member of the varsity girls’ rugby team during her high school years. She has been actively involved in the Sharon Live Wires 4-H Club for 12 years and served on the junior Fair Board. Her life experiences have led her to become an advocate for the environment. Her career choice reflects her strong involvement in 4-H. Faith plans to attend the University of Cincinnati to major in environmental engineering and participate in the accelerated masters’ program.
Ethan Gerding has successfully completed a number of advanced placement classes, belonged to a variety of school organizations, participated in football and track, and was a scholar athlete during his high school years. Ethan, the son of Dave and Beth Gerding, will attend Walsh University in North Canton to study physical therapy. He will be part of Walsh’s Early Assurance Physical Therapy Program and its Honors Program. In addition, he will be a member of the university’s track and field team.
Joe D’Amico, the career tech winner, who was introduced by tech chair Lee Nichols, is well on his way to becoming a successful HVAC technician. Through an early placement work-study program offered by the Medina County Career Center, he worked at ASAP Heating and Cooling, a local Sharon Township company. For his job, he must purchase tools, and he plans to use the scholarship money for that purpose. Joe is the son of Phillip and Cheryl D’Amico.