On Thursday, April 11, 2019, the Ohio Educational Service Center Association (OESCA) recognized 84 of Ohio’s top students from across the state during the 30th Annual Franklin B. Walter All-Scholastic Awards Program, held at the Hilton Polaris-Columbus. The event was sponsored, in part, by North Point ESC and Liberty Mutual Insurance.
The awards program, named in honor of Ohio’s 31st State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Franklin B. Walter, was established in 1989 by OESCA to promote and recognize outstanding student leaders for their academic achievement and service to their schools and communities. One senior from each county in Ohio was eligible to receive this annual honor. Eligible applicants must be a high school senior enrolled in a public school within an ESC’s service region. Recipients were required to demonstrate outstanding academic achievement as indicated by high school grades, college entrance exam scores, and school activities and awards. Approximately 400 students, parents and educators attended the event. Among this year’s attendee, Governor Mike DeWine delivered the keynote address and the Honorable Andrew Brenner, Ohio Senate, District 19 delivered the invocation. “Our membership was honored to have Senator Brenner deliver the invocation and Governor DeWine serve as our keynote speaker this year,” stated OESCA Executive Director Craig Burford. “Throughout his career Mike DeWine has been a champion for children and families. His executive budget reflects this commitment and recognizes the value of Ohio’s network of ESCs. Given his ongoing support and commitment to Ohio’s youth, we were honored to have him deliver the congratulatory keynote address to this year’s award recipients.” Over the past 30 years, OESCA has recognized nearly 2,700 scholars and student leaders during this event. “For over 100 years ESCs have provided technical assistance and support to Ohio’s schools and students. During this special event we get to see the fruits of that labor and the impact these extraordinary students have made on their schools and local communities,” added Burford.
>Adams County Winner<
Mackenzie Toole is ranked first in her class and plans to attend Northern Kentucky University where she will major in nursing. Her long term goals are to earn a master’s degree as a midwife nurse and work in the greater Cincinnati area while serving the community in a field she believes is important to women’s health and the overall development of their children.
Mackenzie is known throughout her school community as an athlete, artist, and student leader. Throughout high school, Mackenzie has been a cheerleader and a member of the track and field team.
Mackenzie is also active in her community by volunteering at her local elementary, enjoys working with kids and has developed a love for helping others. She hopes to continue to have an impact on young lives by educating mothers on the importance of healthy lifestyles and providing the necessary support for raising a healthy child.
Mackenzie has been recognized with several honors and awards including, in part, artwork displayed at Adams County All-County Arts Festival, North Adams Homecoming Queen, and National Beta Club Living Literature State Champion.
Mackenzie is the daughter of Eric and Lisa Toole.
>Clinton County Winner<
Alexandria Hughes is ranked in the top of her class and plans to attend Miami University where she will major in psychology with pre-medicine. Her long term goals are to work in pediatrics psychiatry to help every kid get what they deserve, a happy, healthy childhood.
Alexandria is known throughout her school community as an athlete, musician, scholar, and student leader.
Throughout high school, Alexandria has been a member of cross country, track, and swim teams, along with the marching band. She was also selected as a recipient of the Brett Wightman award for leadership and determination in track.
Additionally, Alexandria has held memberships in the National Honor Society, Student Council, Photography, Book, and Spanish Clubs, and participated in Project Trust as a counselor. She was also selected to represent her school at HOBY, a youth leadership conference, and at the monthly Rotary Club lunch for academic merit.
Alexandria is also active in her community, volunteering at the Wilmington Humane Society.
Alexandria has been recognized with several honors and awards including, in part, for artwork in school and local art shows and has been actively involved in school plays, on-stage, the pit orchestra and set design.
Alexandria is the daughter of Shawn and Tracy Hughes.
>Fayette County Winner<
Victoria Morrison is ranked first in his class and is considering attending University of South Florida where she will study mechanical engineering with a minor in biomechanics. Victoria’s long term goal is to be in the engineering field with a job involving prosthetics.
Victoria is known throughout her school community as an athlete, scholar, and student leader.
Throughout high school, Victoria has been a member of the soccer, track and field, gymnastics and swim teams. Victoria broke the school record for the 100 yard backstroke and was voted team captain of the soccer team and part of the record-breaking season of wins her senior year.
Additionally, Victoria has been active in three clubs throughout her high school career; Spanish, Student Government and Key Clubs. She served as class officer her sophomore year in Key Club and currently is Key Club secretary. Key Club is the school’s volunteer community service group.
Victoria is active in her family church serving two mission trips with her youth group. She travelled to Costa Rica to help build a church to minister to young Costa Ricans and went to Puerto Rice to contribute to hurricane relief by cleaning up debris and rebuilding houses that were damaged.
Victoria has been recognized with several honors and awards including, in part, the National Honor Society, Scholar Athlete and Rookie of the Year.
Victoria strives to be spiritually confident and plans to make responsible decisions and surround herself with positive influences. She hopes to be able to affect the people around her and impact their thoughts and actions in a positive ways though her strong faith.
Victoria is the daughter of Bruce and Carmen Morrison.
>Highland County Winner<
Hunter Ellis is ranked first in his class and plans to attend Xavier University where he will major in philosophy politics. His long term goal is to become a senator, or perhaps even president one day. Hunter hopes to fix crucial issues on how our government is perceived, and bring a new positivity.
Hunter is known throughout his school community as a sports announcer, scholar, and student leader.
Throughout high school, Hunter has been President of the Chatfield Student Service Club and the Chatfield Historical Society. Additionally, Hunter has been a member of Student Council, Chatfield Drama Club, and an Envirothon team member. Hunter is also a founding member of the Lynchburg-Clay Drama Club.
Hunter is also active in his community serving as a church volunteer and involved in preaching at his church. While completing his education, Hunter hopes to intern or work with Saltvine Ministries, which leads a church camp, a youth group, and organizes curriculum that dives deeper into the Bible,
Hunter has been recognized with several honors and awards including, in part, National Honors Society, Phi Theta Kappa, Distinguished Student for American History and for Honors English I.
Hunter is the son Ron and Tiffany Ellis.