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Surrounded by family, and fellow firefighters, Luke Harjes became the first-ever recipient of the Matthew G. Martin Scholarship during the Hopewell Township Board of Fire Commissioners’ Aug. 14 meeting.
Harjes, a member of the Hopewell Fire Department and Emergency Medical Unit and recent Hopewell Valley Central High School graduate, was recognized for his years of dedication to emergency services and his plans to continue serving while attending the University of Northwestern Ohio. Members of Fire Company 52 filled the meeting room to show their support, and the presentation was marked by applause, photos, and words of praise from local leaders.
The $1,000 scholarship honors retired Chief Matthew G. Martin, a longtime advocate for education and volunteer service. The award’s criteria included being a Hopewell Township resident, active membership in a local emergency services organization, enrollment in an accredited college or university, maintaining at least a 3.0 GPA, and securing a recommendation from a chief, president, or supervisor.
Fire Commissioner Cosmo Tomaro said the scholarship reflects the commissioners’ commitment to supporting volunteers. “We wanted to really help the community. We want to encourage more people to join,” Tomaro said. “That kid’s been helping out the community since was 10 years old… He’s been at the firehouse literally his whole life.”
Harjes joined the fire department junior program when he was 14 and said the experience quickly became central to his life. “It gave me something bigger to do,” Harjes said. “It helped me become what I wanted to be as a person. It’s like a whole other family to me.”
While preparing to leave for college next week, Harjes said he has already been looking at ways to get involved in the fire department in Ohio.
Hopewell Valley Central High School Principal Patricia Riley praised Harjes for his dedication. “Choosing to serve as a first responder and making that choice at such a young age… speaks to his commitment not only to his community, but also to his bravery, also to his willingness to put other people before himself,” Riley said. “I’m really proud of him.”
For Martin, who retired as the township’s first career fire chief, the scholarship serves as a legacy for inspiring future volunteers. “When I moved up through the ranks… I wanted to thank people for their service… and I wanted to understand why they were doing what they were doing,” Martin said. “That community is really what made me feel good and inspired me to do the work that I did.”
Harjes’ name is the first on a new plaque commemorating scholarship recipients, a tradition the fire commissioners say they hope will grow for years to come.
Seth Siditsky is the editor at MercerMe, and an award winning journalist with more than 20 years experience in local and regional news. He lives in Hopewell Township with his wife and three children.
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