Five Licking County high school graduates, including three from Granville High School, shared in $9,000 worth of scholarships presented by the Rotary Club of Granville on May 19.
An annual event, the scholarships presented to GHS graduates are the Carl A. Frazier and Mike Gregory awards, plus two scholarships to students at the Career and Technology Education Centers of Licking County.
The scholarships are funded by the club’s Granville Rotary Foundation, which raises money from four major annual events: Taste of Granville, the Fourth of July Firecracker Five footrace, the Granville Chili Cook-off and the club’s annual rose sale.
Emma Mialky of GHS is winner of the $3,000 Frazier scholarship, named for a man known as “Mr. Granville,” who is credited with service to the community as a banker, mayor, Rotarian and co-founder of the Granville Community Foundation. The scholarship is given to one outstanding member of the GHS graduating class who has shown exceptional service to the community.
Amy Huddleston, the Rotarian who presented the scholarships, said Emma served as a mentor at GHS, assigned to check in with freshmen on academic and social concerns. As a result, Emma achieved genuine connections with her mentees by offering rides to sporting events, Young Life, or even just taking them out for coffee.
“Emma’s commitment to fostering connections also goes beyond mentoring,” Huddleston said. “Last year, she and her friends started a pickleball club as a way to bring people together and create more opportunities for friendship and fun. As president of the Interact Club, she organizes meetings and coordinates community service projects throughout the year.”
Huddleston said that Emma, who will attend John Carroll University to major in Business Marketing, also played an integral role in her Government class’s Veteran’s Day breakfast this year and last, partnering with the Interact Club to bring more student involvement to the event.
“She has a beautiful heart and is the real deal,” Huddleston said. “She will truly be missed in the hallways of Granville High School!”
Blue Aces Katie Cotrell and Jackson Pelzer were each winners of a $1,500 Mike Gregory Scholarship, Huddleston announced, given to one GHS boy and one girl who excel both in the classroom and community, and as athletes. Mike Gregory, a Denison University graduate, was a charter member of the Granville Rotary Club in 1949 and was highly regarded in his profession by serving as president of the National Hardware Association in addition to being a community leader. A standout athlete at Denison, he operated the Gregory Hardware store in the three-story brick building that once stood where CVS Pharmacy is located today.
Katie, who will attend the University of Cincinnati this fall, was selected for outstanding achievements and dedication both academically and athletically, Huddleston said. As a key player on the Granville girls basketball team, her exceptional defensive skills and leadership were instrumental in her team’s success, including clinching the Licking County League-Buckeye Division championship.
“Her commitment to excellence extends beyond the court,” Huddleston said, “as she has consistently demonstrated academic prowess, maintaining a high GPA and actively participating in community service initiatives.” Huddleston said Katie’s “resilience, work ethic and ability to inspire her peers make her a deserving recipient of this scholarship, which recognizes her as a role model and leader in her school community.”
Jackson, who will attend Ohio University this fall to study Forensic Chemistry, was chosen for his remarkable achievements both on and off the football field. As a dedicated athlete, he was named First Team All-Conference, First Team All-District, and Third Team All-Ohio.
“His leadership as a co-captain and his exceptional performance as an offensive guard have been pivotal in his team’s success, including a perfect 10-0 season and multiple championship titles,” Huddleston said.
Beyond athletics, Jackson has excelled academically, Huddleston continued, consistently making the honor roll and being an active member of the National Honor Society.
“His commitment to community service and his role as a mentor to younger students further exemplify his dedication to making a positive impact,” Huddleston said.
Winners of $1,500 C-TEC scholarships are Allison Taylor and Craig McMillian.
Allison, graduating from Lakewood High School and planning to attend Shawnee State University to major in Radiology, is described as a true force on and off the soccer field, Huddleston said, being named Second Team All-District in soccer her junior year. In cross country she was named to the All-District Second Team as a junior.
“One of Allison’s greatest strengths is her ability to balance athletics with academics,” Huddleston said. “Allison has earned her CPR and Personal Trainer certifications. She has challenged herself by taking college-level courses where she has demonstrated exceptional academic ability and a strong passion for learning.”
“She has been active in helping her community with fundraising, clothing drives and volunteering to help youth,” Huddleston said. “Her positive attitude, strong moral values, and willingness to help others makes her a beloved member of her school and community.”
Craig, a Lakewood High School senior who was part of C-TEC’s Construction Technologies Program, will attend Ohio State-ATI to major in Livestock Production and Management.
“Academically, Craig maintains a 4.0 GPA, and is a member of the National Technical Honor Society,” Huddleston said. He was winner of numerous Grand and Reserve Champion awards for his dairy feeders at the Hartford Fair and works maintaining the family farm which has 200 to 300 head of feedlot cattle along with 800 to 900 acres of row crops.
“Last,” Huddleston said, “Craig’s service to the community involves volunteering for the Homeless Shelter, setting up and tearing down for the Hartford Fair, donating time and food items to the ‘Stock the Trailer’ campaign that serves to help the Licking County Food Pantry.”
Information submitted by the Rotary Club of Granville.
