Community, local news
(4-21-25) The Annual Senior DARE Scholarship Luncheon was held on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at the Mercer County Elks. The luncheon honors students who have stayed true to their 5th grade DARE promise of remaining drug and alcohol free. Over 60 students, school staff, and guests attended the luncheon.
Essays were received from 43 students. The prompt for this essay was “DARE: How it has impacted my life; how I will use these skills to contribute to society.” Applicants also had to document academic achievements and extracurricular activities that reflect the spirit and goals of DARE, provide two letters of recommendation, and have a parent, principal and guidance counselor sign their paperwork.
Ten students were awarded $500 scholarships. A special thanks to Wright State University-Lake Campus’s Western Ohio Educational Foundation for yearly matching scholarships for those students who attend the Lake Campus. All non-scholarship winners each received a restaurant gift card.
The ten scholarship winners were: Nora Grieshop and Leah Lefeld from St. Henry HS; Isabella Taft from Ft. Recovery HS; Matthew Roberts from Parkway HS; Kaitlyn Dodds, Jaclynn Felver, Brooke Faber from Celina HS; Rudi Gross, Russel Moorman and Andrew Moorman from Coldwater HS. Commendations were presented to the winners from the offices of Senator Susan Manchester, State Representative Angie King and Governor DeWine, as well as the Mercer County DARE Boosters.
Other seniors who applied for scholarships were: Celina – Trinity Shoupe, Lillian Heckler, Mylee Sapp, Nick Steinbrunner, Macy Kinnicutt, Jackie Zhang, Kaitlyn Muhlenkamp; Coldwater – Joshua Schoen, Spencer Etzler, Lucy Langenkamp; Ft. Recovery – Drew Backs, Kennedy Muhlenkamp, Zach Schoenlein, Evan Evers, Karlene Niekamp, Brooklyn Wycuff, Marlee Fiely, Anna Roessner; Marion Local – Mackenzie Bohman, Mallory Hemmelgarn; Parkway – Alexavier Samples, Shay Boroff, Ryleigh Barker, Adria Miller, Grace Pontsler, Cali Bollenbacher, Trevor Stearns; St. Henry – Korina Bruns, Claire Moeller, Heidi Franck. Other Seniors who did not apply but have kept their DARE promise and attended the luncheon: Ft. Recovery: Samantha Brackman, Mason Diller, Ava Englehardt, Eowyn Vela.
Special guests included: St. Henry: Eric Rosenbeck, Principal; Julie Overman, Guidance Counselor; Mindy Siefring, SADD Advisor; Parkway: Brian Fortkamp, Principal; Marion Local: Jenny Dippold, Guidance Counselor; Ft. Recovery: Ryan Steinbrunner, Principal; Amy Kaiser, Guidance Counselor; Lindsey Reinhard SADD Advisor; Coldwater: Jason Hemmelgarn, Principal; Celina: Renee Kramer, Principal; Ethan Knopp, Guidance Counselor; Coldwater Mayor Doug Bertke, WOEF President Jeff Schwieterman. DARE Booster members present were Jerry Kanney (president), DARE officer Deputy Scott Geis, Laura Sanford (secretary), Mike Eyink, Joyce Howell, Casey Nuttle, Sherry Reineke, and Kelli Thobe.
Those in attendance were also encouraged by DARE President Jerry Kanney’s story about Alex Sheen who created a social movement and nonprofit dedicated to the betterment of humanity through promises made and kept. This movement is called, “Because I said I would.” Jerry encouraged the youth to stick with promises they make, even when it gets difficult.
The guest speaker this year was Father Mark Hoying. He shared an inspiring message about motivations to change the world. 1. Everyday call someone by name and give a wave (preferably farmers wave); 2. Everyday give someone a compliment; 3. It’s ok to be a loser. You don’t always have to win. “You will be inspired by other people and their journeys when you don’t give up;” 4. Embrace the slap in the face moments and hope and dream good things will happen. He encouraged the students to “keep inspiring people around you!”
Thank you to the Mercer County Elks for the donation of the meeting area and Kirk Stucke Golf Pro and John Elking from the Elks who cooked and served the luncheon. The Mercer County D.A.R.E. Boosters would also like to thank all merchants, individuals, and others who continually support this program through their donations and time.
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