Awards from the 23 funds total in excess of $43,000 and the recipients are as follows:

• Adam Johnston Memorial Scholarship -- for Ridgedale High School seniors – awarded to Ryan D. Leslie ($500) and Lindsey D. Swavel ($500);
• Andrew Wigton Memorial Scholarship -- for Pleasant High School seniors – awarded to Ashley M. Neidhart ($1,000);
• Aris Kasotis Memorial Scholarship – for Marion Harding High School students – awarded to Zachary T. Dale ($250);
• Carol S. Geissler Memorial Scholarship -- for Marion Harding High School seniors pursing degrees in education – awarded to Brady R. Greenwood ($800);
• Danny C. Sipes Memorial Scholarship – for Marion Harding High School students who participated in interscholastic baseball – winner to be announced HHS’s Academic Awards Ceremony;
• Douglas & Elaine Waring Memorial Scholarship -- for Marion County high school seniors – awarded to Morgan E. Gilmore ($700), Lacey A. Lauer ($700), Cade M. Weston ($700) and Gabe M. Zader ($700);
• Erin Y. James Memorial Scholarship -- for North Union High School seniors – awarded to Laura Jo K. Bradford ($800);
• Eugene & Cecilia Reszczynski Scholarship -- for Marion County students – awarded to Timothy A. Carr ($1,000), Neeral A. Gandhi ($1,000), Heather L. Hicks ($1,000), Jacqueline L. Kannan ($500), Tyler Kaufman ($1,000), Angela M. St. John ($1,000) and Cassandra L. Vaflor ($1,000);
• Gary W. Troll Memorial Scholarship -- for seniors attending Mohawk, Upper Sandusky or Carey high schools – awarded to Anna K. Gilliland ($1,000);
• Gene Jerew Memorial Scholarship -- for Marion County students – awarded to Kory S. Kirkpatrick ($1,000);
• Helen & Bob Bintz Scholarship -- for Marion County students attending University of Dayton – awarded to Erin M. Baldinger ($1,100), Justin M. Cusick ($700), Jessica M. Field ($700), Britney E. Lewis ($700), Amanda S. Myers ($700) and Emily C. Sheridan ($700);
• Helen E. Evans Scholarship -- for Marion Harding High School seniors pursuing degrees and careers in education -- awarded to Aris J. North ($1,000) and Bethany R. Bailey ($400);
• Jeannette White Memorial Scholarship -- for Marion Harding High School seniors and graduates pursing careers in veterinary medicine or nursing – awarded to Brittany P. Pettigrew ($380);
• Mandy Kruder Memorial Scholarship -- for Marion Harding High School seniors pursuing degrees in education – awarded to Bethany R. Bailey ($2,100), Charlotte A. Baird ($2,100) and Allyssa J. O’Neil ($2,100);
• Marion Area Auxiliary Scholarship -- for Marion County students pursuing education and careers in health care or medical science – awarded to Chloe D. Blankenship ($1,000), Chelsea L. Dean ($1,000), Rachel L. Heckathorn ($1,000), Brittany P. Pettigrew ($1,000) and Julie A. Ricketts ($1,000);
• Marion Elks Lodge # 32 Scholarship -- for high school seniors residing in Marion, Delaware, Union, Hardin, Wyandot, Morrow, or Crawford counties – awarded to Charlotte A. Baird ($500);
• Sims Family Scholarship -- for Pleasant High School seniors – awarded to Allison N. Russell ($1,000);
• Stephanie K. Lust Memorial Scholarship -- for Pleasant High School seniors – awarded to Meredith J. Piacentini ($1,050) and Joel M. Swaney ($1,050);
• Ted Mitchell Memorial Scholarship – for Marion County students attending The Ohio State University – awarded to Cody R. Price ($1,000);
• Ula McNamara Watts Performing Arts Scholarship -- for high school seniors pursuing degrees in performing arts – awarded to Breann L. Lewis ($1,000);
• Youth Engaged in Philanthropy Scholarship – for Marion County students with demonstrated community service – awarded to Maggie M. Mathey ($1,000);
• Joe Petrich & Al Beach Memorial Scholarship -- for Marion Harding High School seniors who have participated in the interscholastic athletic program – awarded to Rachel L. Heckathorn ($500) and Michael I. Megginson ($500);
• John and Carol Boblenz Scholarship – for River Valley High School students – awarded to Ryan M. Gibson ($1,000) and Michaela J. Phillians ($1,000).

A record 117 applications to the Marion Community Foundation’s 2008 scholarship program were reviewed by the Foundation’s scholarship committee: chairman Tom Johnston, vice president of Verne Hart Insurance; Gary Sims, president of Sims Brothers, Inc.; Larry Geissler, retired Fulfillment Corporation of America executive; Sue Jacob, teacher with River Valley Local Schools; Bill Rudy, retired Marion Harding High School guidance counselor; and, Michael Short, Director of Student Affairs at The Ohio State University at Marion. Final award decisions were confirmed by the Foundation’s full Board of Trustees.

The Foundation is located inside the Stengel-True Museum at 504 S. State St. in Marion. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The offices may be reached by calling 387-9704; additional information is available at www.marioncommunityfoundation.org.