OHS 2010 graduates awarded one-quarter million in scholarships
by Peter Jakey, Managing Editor
It was a night to celebrate academic excellence and achievement. In front of one of the largest Onaway High School awards night assemblies in recent memory, honor students were acknowledged, scholarships were announced and departmental awards were handed out.
There was an overwhelming feeling of pride and sincere appreciation shared among the school faculty and parents. It was almost two hours of cheers and applause for the students? accomplishments, especially for a special group of seniors, who easily had the most honor roll students at 30. They filled the stage when their names were called to receive certificates and pins. Twelve of the seniors received Michigan Competitive Scholarships.
Several college and civic organization representatives commented on the tough decisions they faced in determining who would receive the scholarship funding, because there were so many worthy candidates who submitted requests.
The co-valedictorians of the Class of 2010 are Allie Nave and Nicolette Olree, the salutatorian is Lynsey Lyle and the honor student is Danielle Reece. They were acknowledged by high school principal Marty Mix with medals and certificates at the end of the program.
There were 19 juniors, 22 sophomores and 22 freshmen with a 3.00 grade point average or higher.
THE SCHOLARSHIPS awarded (not all amounts were given) are as follows: Daughters of the American Revolution, ?Good Citizens Award?: Renee Schlak. Central Wyoming College: Danielle Reece, $29,052 (2 years). Baker College: Amanda Buckner and Stephanie Knight, $1,200 (x 4 years). Alma College: Allie Nave, $64,000 (4 years); Payton Lupu, $10,000 (x 4 years). Kirtland Community College: Lain Veihl, $500 a semester for a year. Northwood university: T.J. Hext, $7,000 (x 4 years). Thomas & Henrietta Ellenberger Scholarship: Lyle, $1,000. Jonathan D. Brege Scholarship: Kourtni Hyde and Lyle, $2,000 (x 4 years).
North Central Michigan College: Nicolette Olree, two years tuition and fees. Bay Area Desk & Derrick Scholarship: Schlak, $500. Presque Isle Electric and Gas Cooperative: Olree. United Community Foundation Scholarship: Massie Huffman, $1,000. Michigan State Trooper Assistance Fund: Veihl, $1,000. Cheboygan Memorial Hospital: Nave, $500. Aurora Gas Scholarship: Reece. Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel: Reece, $500. Red Cross Scholarship: Lupu, Lyle, Nave, $1,000 each.
Kiwanis Club Scholarship: Chasity Wood, Schlak, Olree, $250 each. PTO Scholarship: Cameron Penny, Schlak. Onaway Alumni Association Scholarship: Taylor Bruning and Schlak, $500 each. Delta Kappa Gamma Scholarship: Reece. Alice Evelyn Smith Scholarship: Reece, $1,000. Stewart & Bonz Beach Scholarship: Logan Wilkinson, Lindsay Self, Wood, Buckner, Knight and Schlak, $500 each.
Wellman Scholarship: Shelly Lunceford, $500. Fred Elowsky Scholarship: Hyde, $500. Rusty Martin Scholarship: Heather Hoffmeyer, $500.
AMONG THE departmental awards, which included English, social studies, science, chemistry, math, student council and knowledge bowl, teacher Mark Grant handed out what could be the last building trades awards. It comes at a time when the students are ready to unveil the ?airport welcome center? project at
Grant strongly encouraged those in attendance to attend an open house, if and when, one is scheduled. ?If you want to see very good, very classy work by students from your high school, this is definitely a crown jewel,? Grant told the audience. Grant handed out red T-shirts with a list of the program?s accomplishments since its inception in 1997.
?My hope now, is, as our economy turns around, as we are able to reinstitute things, that this (building trades program) then will be something that would be considered to be brought back. I think we are leaving on a strong note??
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5857 Ladies? Auxiliary provided cake and refreshments.