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The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty has announced that it is now accepting scholarship applications for consideration in 2013. This year, the Community Foundation will award more than $50,000 in scholarship assistance.

“We are pleased to offer a variety of different scholarship opportunities in 2013,” Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty Vice President–Donor Services Melissa Benedict said in a release. “We encourage all students to review the opportunities available through the Community Foundation, as each scholarship has a different set of eligibility criteria that should be reviewed prior to submission.”

Available scholarships include:

• The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty Scholarship
• Dr. Masood and Shakila Ahmad Scholarship
• Kyle J. Babcock Scholarship
• Julia Ellen Burnett Scholarship
• Butler County Republican Women’s Club Scholarship for College
• Jordan Day Scholarship
• Demois Family Scholarship
• Harold Draut Scholarship
• Susan Hendel Scholarship Fund
• Matthew and Andrea King Servant Leadership Scholarship
• Bob Lawhorn Education Scholarship
• Greg Lemmel Memorial Scholarship
• Troy & Tania Meyers Culinary Scholarship
• Pete’s List of Excellence in History and Government
• Kristin Renneker Scholarship Fund
• Karen M. Schroeder Memorial Scholarship
• Jessica Ann Siegel Scholarship
• Dana Spangler Scholarship Fund
• Ezekiel “Zeke” Stepaniak Scholarship Fund
• Voice of America Centre Scholarship For Returning Veterans
• Winterman Resiliency Scholarship Fund
• Roy H. Yelton Memorial Scholarship

Applications are available online at www.wclfoundation.com. Most scholarships applications are due April 1. Scholarship recipients will be notified in May.

Posted in: News, Schools |

Tags: Tags: Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, scholarship, WCL Community Foundation

West Chester Fire Department Lt. Ryan Berter will use a $1,000 scholarship to study fire administration and human resource management. Sue Kiesewetter/for the Enquirer

Sue Kiesewetter reports:

A West Chester Township Fire Department lieutenant will use a $1,000 scholarship to defray the cost of an online program in fire administration and human resource management.

Lt. Ryan Berter, is the fourth recipient of the Fairfield Community Foundation’s Assistant Chief Paul McKendry Memorial Scholarship. He will use his scholarship at the American Military University where he will begin an online program in November.

The scholarship was established to honor former Fairfield Township Assistant Fire Chief Paul McKendry who died in February 2009. It is awarded to a Fairfield city or township firefighter or resident enrolled in a paramedic program, firefighter level II program or pursuing a degree in fire science or administration.

Berter qualified for the scholarship because he is a part-time captain with the Fairfield Township Fire Department.

“I spent a lot of time working for Paul and he set an example of excellence for all of us,’’ Berter said. “He always encouraged us to be the best we could and keep improving ourselves. I’m enrolling in a two-year, online program.”

A 1998 Fairfield High School graduatuate, Berter said his inspiration in going into firefighting came from his grandfather, Don Berter, a retired chief of the Fairfield Fire Department. Two of his uncles were also firefighters.

“My grandfather also personified the strong work ethic I try to exemplify every day both for my family and my community,” Berter said in his application.

“I would have to say that serving others is a family tradition…I enjoy knowing that I am trained to intervene in someone’s time of need and make a difference.”

Along with working for both fire departments, Berter is chairman of the Butler County Regional Hazardous Materials Team and a member of the Butler County All-Hazards Incident Management Team.

He also holds certifications as a hazardous materials technician, fire safety inspector, assistant fire instructor and incident commander.

Posted in: News |

Tags: Tags: american military university, assistant chief paul mckendry memorial scholarship, fairfield community foundation, human resources management, ryan berter, scholarship, West Chester Fire Department

The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty recently announced its 2012 scholarship winners.

Below are the names of the students recognized and provided descriptions of each scholarship.

The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty Scholarship ($500)
This scholarship, open to any student in the West Chester/Liberty area, is for students who wish to attend a trade school, two-year technical or community college or a four-year college or university. The 2012 awards were presented to Thao Nguyen, Lakota West High School and Mikela Enoch-Mtetwa, Lakota West High School.

Kyle J. Babcock Scholarship ($2,000)
Kyle Babcock was a passionate 18-year old with an infectious smile and quick-wit. As a competitive soccer player at Bishop Fenwick High School, he is remembered as an intelligent, athletic, outgoing student with a great sense of humor. The scholarship allows Kyle’s spirit to live on by providing an opportunity to a student who will attend or is attending Bishop Fenwick High School in Middletown. The student must demonstrate community and/or school involvement; and who most exemplifies the qualities Kyle possessed. The 2012 Scholarship award was presented to John “Jack” Gardon, St. Susanna.

Julia Ellen Burnett Scholarship Fund ($500)
Julia Ellen Burnett was born on April 21, 2006 with Trisomy 18, a rare chromosomal anomaly that the medical community describes as “incompatible with life.” Despite her prognosis, Julia’s parents were blessed to share six precious days with their beautiful daughter. From the very beginning, the family had a lifetime of dreams for Julia. It is the family’s desire to celebrate Julia’s life and continue her legacy by helping other young people realize their own dreams. The 2012 Julia Ellen Burnett Scholarship Award was presented to Rachel King, Lakota East High School.

Jordan Day Scholarship Fund ($1,000)
Established in 2011, this $1,000 scholarship is made in memory of Jordan Day, a Lakota East golfer who died in 2010. This scholarship was created through the donations of friends and family who wish to honor the extraordinary talent, hard work and dedication Jordan exemplified — on the course and throughout his life. The 2012 recipient of the Jordan Day Scholarship was to Mikey Goldman, Lakota East High School.

Bob Lawhorn Education Scholarship (*Full Tuition)
This scholarship has been established in memory of Bob Lawhorn, a spirited man who cared about others throughout his life. Bob reached out to people from all walks of life which was demonstrated by his caring smile, generosity, humor, and real compassion. His zest for life was felt by everyone he touched. A self-made man, Bob realized the importance of education, so it is fitting that this award be given to a graduate of Norwood, his high school alma mater. It is given to the student who most exemplifies the qualities Bob possessed. The recipient chosen to receive a scholarship to University of Cincinnati for full-time undergraduate enrollment in 2012 was Kayla Cromer, Norwood High School. (more…)

Posted in: News, Schools, Student achievements |

Tags: Tags: Allie Steiner, Anthony Meese, Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, Donna Green, Erin Grasty, Irene Mysonhimer, John “Jack” Gardon, Kayla Cromer, Lakota East, Lakota West, Marissa Hall, Mike Goldman, Mikela Enoch-Mtetwa, Mikey Goldman, Natasia Reinhardt, Rachel King, Sarah Dershimer, scholarship, Thao Nguyen, WCL Community Foundation

The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty has announced that it is now accepting scholarship applications for consideration in 2011. This year the Community Foundation will award more than $50,000 in scholarship assistance.

“We are pleased to offer a variety of different scholarship opportunities in 2011” Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty Vice President–Donor Services Melissa Benedict said in a release. “We encourage all students to review the opportunities available through the Community Foundation, as each scholarship has a different set of eligibility criteria that should be reviewed prior to submission.”

Available scholarships include:

• The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty Scholarship – $500 (two awarded)
• Kyle J. Babcock Scholarship –$2,000 (one awarded)
• Julia Ellen Burnett Scholarship –$500 (one awarded)
• Susan Hendel Scholarship Fund – $500 (one awarded)
• Bob Lawhorn Education Scholarship –$Full Tuition (one awarded)
• Greg Lemmel Memorial Scholarship – $500 (one awarded)
• Pete’s List of Excellence in History and Government – $250 (two awarded)
• Kristin Renneker Scholarship Fund – $2,000 (two awarded)
• Karen M. Schroeder Memorial Scholarship – $1,000 (one awarded)
• Jessica Ann Siegel Scholarship–$2,000 (one awarded)
• Dana Spangler Scholarship Fund – $500 (one awarded)
• Mark Vaccariello Scholarship Fund -$300 (two awarded)
• Voice of America Centre Scholarship For Returning Veterans – up to $5,000
• Winterman Resiliency Scholarship Fund – $500 (one awarded)

Applications are available online at www.wclfoundation.com. All scholarships applications are due March 31, 2011. Scholarship recipients will be notified in May.

Posted in: News, Schools |

Tags: Tags: Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, scholarship, WCL Community Foundation

Erika Lower, who graduated from Lakota West in 2010, was recently named one of the five grand-prize winners for the 14th annual Signet Classics Scholarship Essay Contest. By winning, Lower was awarded with a $1,000 scholarship and a Signet Classics Library for their school valued at $1,700.

Because of Lower’s award-winning essay, Lakota West High School received 298 paperback books (photo – click to enlarge)  for its media center on Monday, Jan. 24. The retail value of the books was $2,458.50, which was noted on the packaging slip.

>>>ERIKA LOWER’S WINNING ESSAY<<<

Lower will use her scholarship money toward her tuition and/or expenses at Virginia Tech.

The designated title for the essay contest was “The War of the Worlds” by H.G. Wells. This year, the book selected for the contest is “The Moonstone” by Wilkie Collins.

According to a release, the Signet Classics Scholarship Essay Contest was established in 1996 to encourage greater interest in reading among high school students by offering tangible assistance to the winning students and their schools. It is open to qualifying high school juniors and seniors in the United States.

Posted in: Schools, Student achievements |

Tags: Tags: Erika Lower, essay, essay contest, Lakota West, Lakota West Media Center, scholarship, Signet Classic Scholarship Essay Contest, The Moonstone, The War of the Worlds, Virginia Tech

Lakota West High School will host a charity event that will feature the Firebirds girls’ basketball programs against McAuley Tuesday, Nov. 23. The event will raise funds to support the Kristin Renneker Memorial Scholarship Fund. The charity games begin at 4:30 p.m. with the freshman teams and conclude with the varsity game 7:15 p.m.

The scholarship, which is held by the Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty, awards two students – one from Lakota East High School and another from Lakota West High School – with a $2,000 scholarship.

The grant criteria includes that the student be a graduating female senior, participating in interscholastic athletics, shows community and/or school involvement and exhibits high academic achievement with a minimum accumulative grade point average of 3.3.

The scholarship is named for Kristin Renneker, who in her senior year at Lakota in 1992 died in an automobile accident.

According to the Community Foundation’s website, Renneker (photo) was an honor student, peer counselor and a two-sport varsity athlete. She was one of the tri-captains of her varsity basketball team, recipient of the Thunderbird Award in both sports and was an All-American GMC player each season she participated in a varsity sport.

According to a press release given out by the high school, Lakota West Basketball players will also be collecting gently worn winter coats for their Kristin’s Coats for Kids Drive at Lakota West starting Friday Nov. 19. For more information, call 513-874-5699.

Posted in: Events, School events, Schools, Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: basketball, charity, girls' basketball, Kristin Renneker, Kristin Renneker Memorial Scholarship, Lakota West, scholarship

Lakota West sophomore Monty Boykins has received his first Division I basketball scholarship. Last week, the 6-foot-3 guard received an offer from nearby Miami (Ohio) University.

“I am extremely happy for Monty, that he was able to get a Division 1 offer before his sophomore season has even started,” Lakota West head coach Sean VanWinkle said. “Miami University has shown a very big commitment to him and I know he and his family appreciate that.”

Boykins received the offer Friday, Oct. 1, when Miami assistant coach Jimmy Lallathin, who previously worked as an assistant coach at Lakota West High School, gave the sophomore a phone call.

“Monty has worked very hard over the past five or six months and will be one of the better players in the GMC this season,” VanWinkle said.

“The sky is the limit and I am very anxious to see this young man mature into a very good basketball player.”

Boykins gained exposure on the state level this summer playing for the Cincinnati Lakers AAU team, according to westfirebirds.com.

Last season, as a freshman, Boykins played in the Firebirds’ last seven games. He started six times and averaged 4.6 points per game.

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: basketball, Jimmy Lallathin, Miami Redhawks, Miami University, Monty Boykins, offer, scholarship, Sean VanWinkle

Garrett Holsinger, a senior at Lakota East High School, has been chosen as one of the winners of the Cincinnati Better Business Bureau’s Student of Integrity Scholarship Program.

Holsinger (photo) will receive a $1,000 scholarship toward post-secondary education.

The scholarship honors those high school students in the BBB’s twenty-county service areas, who demonstrate a commitment to ethical behavior and are designed not only to recognize, but also to promote, ethics and integrity in today’s youth. This award not only recognizes Holsinger, but is also a reflection of the outstanding work of Lakota East in developing future leaders.

Winners will be recognized Oct. 20, 2010, in conjunction with the BBB’s annual Torch Awards for Marketplace Ethics program at the Duke Energy Center.

Posted in: Schools, Student achievements |

Tags: Tags: Cincinnati Better Business Bureau, Garrett Holsinger, Lakota East, Lakota East High School, scholarship