The Kiwanis Club of Granville has awarded $12,000 in scholarships to seven Licking County students, and the Kiwanis Aktion Club of Licking County has awarded one scholarship of $500 for 2024. This year’s class of scholarship recipients represents a diverse spectrum of learners seeking to further their educations, both in and beyond the classroom.
Each year the Granville Kiwanis Scholarship Committee reviews scholarship submissions from Granville High School, Welsh Hills School and Granville Christian Academy. Scholarships are funded by the Kiwanis Club of Granville, which raises money through its various committees through events such as the annual Pancake Breakfast, Granville Kiwanis July 4th Celebration and through tent/table rentals and homemade maple syrup sales. Additionally, a scholarship fora student from the Career And Technology Education Centers of Licking County is funded by the Aktion Club, whose members arrange a Mother’s Day flower sale and other fundraising events to support their award.
For 2024, two $3,500 scholarships were awarded to two Granville High School students: Ethan White and Isabella Busack. Both students will have their names memorialized on the Kiwanis Scholarship Plaque on display at Granville High School.
White will be attending Kenyon College in the fall to explore his interests in economics, history and environmental studies. At Granville High School he pursued a rigorous course load filled with AP and Advanced classes, all while maintaining a GPA over 4.0. He is deeply involved in the Granville Historical Society, where he serves as a docent and recently designed and installed his own exhibit. His devotion to volunteering hundreds of hours with The Works, Weathervane Playhouse, Granville Recreation District, and FIRST, a robotics organization in Licking County impressed the scholarship committee.
Busack, a Granville Key Club member, caught the attention of the committee with her innovative partnership with a local non-profit organization to provide clothing and shoes as needed for teens in foster care. Active in her church, Busack balances AP and Advanced classes while at the same time remaining heavily involved in All-State Choir, National Honor Society, Marching Band, Symphonic Choir, Student Council and several a cappella groups.
Kara Bergeron and Ava Labocki were each awarded a $1,500 scholarship. Bergeron will be attending the University of Tampa to pursue her goal of becoming a licensed physical therapist specializing in sports rehabilitation. As a cross country and track athlete through middle and high school, she hopes to use her experiences to provide compassionate care to other athletes and to strengthen her community by promoting physical and mental well-being.
Labocki was a 2022 Fall High School Soccer All-American and Player of the Year in both Licking County and All County District Division Leagues. She was captain of the Granville High School Soccer Team her senior year, while maintaining a GPA of 4.0. In particular, Labocki demonstrated a profound understanding of the importance of service in our community. In her own words, “By coming together, volunteering our time and resources, and prioritizing the well-being of others, we not only make a difference but also create a stronger, more vibrant community for all to thrive in.”
Benjamin Verhoff, a graduate of Granville Christian Academy received a $1,000 scholarship. He demonstrated active participation in many service activities through church and school, such as Operation Christmas Care and Together We Grow.
Two students from Welsh Hills Schools were honored with a scholarship of $500 each. Avery Swartz was recognized as an active member of Sustainability and Service clubs and will be attending Denison University. Bridger Ashworth will be attending the University of Rio Grande to pursue certification in welding.
Lastly, the Aktion Club of Licking County awarded a $500 scholarship to Aidan Osborn, recognizing his outstanding performance for the ITEC program.
All awardees will be invited to participate in the Granville Kiwanis July 4th Parade, and to participate in an upcoming Kiwanis meeting to share more about the exciting endeavors that await them in college and beyond.
Information submitted by the Kiwanis Club of Granville.
