NWN Ruritans award 12 scholarships
The Northwestern Ruritan Club met May 9 for its monthly meeting at Northwestern High School. President Kim Wellert welcomed members and guests. Special guests were Mr. and Mrs. Tom Gregon of Frito Lay in Wooster, Joni Williams of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary West Salem Post 499, and her father Kenneth Beard, a 100-year-old WWII veteran. The group joined in singing "America," and the invocation was given by Jim Johnson.
The meeting was adjourned to the school library for the annual presentation of Northwestern Schools/Ruritan Business Recognition Awards and the NWHS Senior Ruritan Scholarships by NWHS Principal Randall Hafner.
Joni Williams accepted the plaque for the ladies auxiliary and expressed her gratitude. Tom Gregon accepted the plaque for Frito Lay and said he has been with Frito Lay for 33 years. He mentioned they currently could use about 40 more employees to help the company produce about 90 million pounds of products per year.
Hafner then presented the 12 Ruritan scholarship recipients, telling of the students' accomplishments and plans for the future. Students selected were Shayna Allshouse, Arianna Borton, Deanna Devore, Avery Garver, Taylor Haley, Caitlyn Leighty, Dugan McLaughlin, Sarah Miller, Emma Nicholson, Isaac Ott, Cooper Stephens and Clara Zemancik. They each had completed an application and were interviewed by a committee that found each applicant to be worthy of their scholarship.
They were presented a certificate and will receive their $550 academic gift in October if enrolled in a school of higher education. This year’s academic gifts make a total of $168,180 given to 442 students over 37 years by the Ruritan Club.
During a brief club business meeting, Michelle Bowman’s treasurer’s report was approved, subject to audit. Jamie Bowman reported the Parade of Flags will be put out in the community before Memorial Day and left out until after Flag Day on June 14. Chuck Beck said the Husky Brigade will send packages to five overseas service people. He will pack the boxes, and club members brought in items for the boxes.
Dave Howman had a sign-up sheet for members to help man the gate at the JD Two Cylinder Show June 16-18 at the Wayne County Fairgrounds. Beck reported the next roadside cleanup — Route 301 from Pleasant Home to Lattasburg — will be in June after the meeting. Dick Wiley said the West Salem Bike Race will be July 9 from 7:30-11 a.m., a state championship race with 120 riders expected. Help from club members will be needed to direct traffic at crossroads. Proceeds will go to the Old Schoolhouse in West Salem.
The next meeting will be Monday, June 13 at 7 p.m., with the directors meeting at 6:15 p.m. The program will feature Kathy Tschiegg of the Central American Medical Outreach as speaker. The meeting was adjourned with the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.