NEW & Current Recipients
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Each of our recipients embody the Five C’s
Courage - Compassion - Caring - Commitment to Learning - Community Service
The legacy left by Renee.
NICHOLAS BARGER
Nicholas “Nick” is one of our newest scholarship recipients. He earned a 4.08 weighted GPA with a rigorous academic schedule, including college credit courses at Kent State University. His ability to balance high academic achievement with volunteerism, athletics and work is impressive.
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Nick is passionate about giving back in the community. His volunteer resume includes helping at local hospitals, youth football camps, mentoring and teaching young athletes, planting flags on veterans’ gravesites and helping the elderly in the neighborhood with lawn care. He is longtime volunteer with the Ashtabula Sheriff’s Office (starting when he was only 10 years of age!). This entailed year-round assistance with the process of fundraising to help families in need for the holidays.
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Nick was on the track team and Captain of the Football team. He was awarded Chargin Valley Conference All County Football 2nd team his junior year, Chargin Valley Conference All County Football 1st Team his senior year, and nominated for the Robert L. Wiese Athlete Scholarship Award. Nick also served three years on the Athletic Council.
​Nick started working at Ashtabula Body and Fender his junior year and held this job through the remainder of High School.
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Nick is attending Kent State University Ashtabula. Nick’s professional goal is to become a radiologist. He is enrolled in the Radiologic Technology Program while also completing undergraduate studies in Biology.
New Recipient 2024
LOGAN KRAY
Logan is one of our 2024 scholarship recipients. He is an outstanding young man and role model, demonstrating hard work and excellence in all areas of his life. He excelled academically. He took honors courses and earned a weighted GPA of 4.3.
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Logan places high importance on volunteerism. He enjoys coaching, refereeing youth basketball, running the score board and umpiring little league baseball games. He also helps out at the concession stands during athletic events. Logan assisted in raising money for Special Olympics and participated in Thanksgiving adoption events to provide meals for families in need.
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Logan is passionate about sports and joined a variety of teams in High School (baseball, basketball, football and golf). He also served on the Athletic Council and was Captain of both the Football and Basketball Teams. Logan has an extensive list of athletic awards including the National Federation of High School Sports Award of Excellence and he received 1st Team All-Chagrin Valley Conference in Baseball three years in a row. He received letters in both Basketball and Baseball all four years.
Nick was also an employee at the Village Green golf course and worked for the family business, Krays Co Inc., in a variety of roles.
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Logan is attending the Ohio University and majoring in Business with a projected graduation in the Spring of 2028.
New Recipient 2024
2nd Year Recipient
JOSEPHINE MEASLE
Josehine was a 2023 recipient. Her academic achievement is beyond outstanding. While earning a 4.32 GPA, she was also a member and President of Student Council, Vice President of National Honors Society, member of the Athletic and Captain’s Council, a Book Club Member, the Youth Philanthropy Board President and member of the Marching Band Squad. Josephine is also an athlete on the Varsity Track & Field Team and Soccer Team all 4 years. She was captain of the soccer team and earned numerous athletic awards.
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Josephine loves to volunteer her time and talent. She has tutored children in reading fluency and math, helped with the Kingsville Library’s summer reading program, wrapped presents to give to those that cannot afford them during the holiday season, and handed out essential items to the local homeless population. In the summertime, she worked as a Childcare provider full-time for multiple families.
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Josephine’s teachers describe her as strong, determined, excited for life and learning, and someone who has unwavering and contagious positivity. Her passion for serving others and helping children learn led her to enroll at the University of Mount Union where she will major in early childhood education.
SOPHIA PAOLILLO
2nd Year Recipient
Sophia is a stellar student, graduating with a 4.45 weighted GPA and a significantly impressive ACT score of 33. Throughout high school, she was involved with school clubs, including National Honors Society as president, Youth Philanthropy as a board member and Student Council as secretary. She was also a member of a traveling Softball team and received the Chagrin Valley Conference Award.
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Riley loves volunteering. She has been involved with the Red Cross, volunteering at blood drives and encouraging the importance of donations. She volunteered at University Hospitals and the Kingsville Library to help with children’s programming. Sophia is an employee at Harbor Perk as a Barista, where she has worked since 2021. She has a few special talents as well, both as a baker and cook and a violinist of 12 years.
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Sophia’s teachers and coach describe her as a true leader with a strong moral compass; respectful, intelligent, talented, compassionate and gracious. She is pursuing medical school with goals and aspirations of becoming a physician. We have no doubt she will meet the challenge while continuing to make a positive impact on others and making a difference in the community.
RILEY STRIGHT
Riley is one of the three 2023-2024 Scholarship recipients, and she has certainly earned it. She demonstrated academic excellence all four years, finishing with a 4.1 weighted GPA. Throughout high school, she served as a member of the Spanish Club, Principals Advisory Council and National Honors Society.
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Riley loves to serve and help others. She volunteered with “Adam’s Angels” where she brought in donations to assist those in poverty. She led events where she shared small animals with children and families and educated them about the animals. Riley’s most impressive volunteer commitment is with 4-H, where she volunteered for 8 straight years. She also wears the hat of an employee; she worked as a Ranch Hand at Rustler Ranch, an Apple-picker at Brants Apple Orchard, she detailed trucks, and worked as a landscaper.
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Riley’s teachers describe her as strong and determined, dependable, disciplined and always willing to help others learn and grow. She is attending Kent State University Ashtabula where she will take pre-requisite courses and exploring the best career match for her future. We are honored to award Riley the Spirit of Life scholarship, wish her the very best and look forward to hearing about her pursuits.
2nd Year Recipient
MONICA HAMALAINEN
3rd Year Recipient
Monica is one of our 2022 scholarship recipients and a 2nd awardee.
Throughout High School, she maintained Honor Roll while taking Advance Placement courses in Biology, Anatomy, Physiology and Math. She also served as a representative on Student Council and was awarded the AP Scholar Award by the College Board her junior year. Monica is known for hard work, leadership, commitment, kindness and joyful spirit.
She attends Walsh University, majoring in Physical Therapy. She is enrolled in the Advanced PT program and plans to earn a doctorate in 6 years instead of 7. She is on track to graduate in the Spring of 2026.
GRACE PATRIARCO
Grace is one of our 2022 scholarship recipients and a 2nd awardee.
She maintained an A/B average all four years while serving as Vice President of Student Council, a member of the National Honor Society and the Marching Band Council. Her greatest passion is helping others; she has been actively with her Church and affiliated volunteer activities.
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Grace demonstrates excellence and balance in the areas of academics, volunteerism, and leadership. She is enrolled at PennWest Edinboro University majoring in Secondary Education (Chemistry). She is on track to graduate in the Spring of 2025.
3rd Year Recipient
Jenna Wolfe
4th Year Recipient
Jenna was one of our 2021 recipients, and this is her 3rd year as a scholarship awardee.
She graduated from Edgewood with an elite academic record, she was member of the National Honors Society and was known for her extensive volunteerism.
Jenna is currently in her senior year at Ohio State University and continues to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience. She will graduate in the Spring of 2025.
HEATHER FARR
4th Year Recipient
Heather is a 2021 scholarship recipient, and this is her 3rd year being an awardee.
As a student at Edgewood, Heather earned a 3.8 GPA, was an outstanding athlete, served as a member of the National Honors Society and served on the Athletic and Principal’s Advisory Councils. She played High School Softball, Soccer, Basketball and was on an Equestrian Team.
Heather attends Thiel College where she is a member of the Honors college, the Softball Team, the Equestrian Team and the Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority. She is currently a senior at Thiel, majoring in Exercise Science.