Hiland senior scholars highlighted at honors banquet

The Hiland High School Honors & Scholarship Banquet took place Saturday, May 9 in Walnut Creek at Carlisle Village Inn, where Hiland’s senior class was honored and rewarded for its collective effort in the classroom.

A total of 30 scholarships were presented to students intending to continue their education at the next level — many of those scholarships in large part due to the continuing support of local businesses and individuals.

“This is one of the best parts of my job,” Hiland High and Middle School Principal Tyler Renner said, “just having a small part of this in helping you reach your dreams of going to college and reaching a major. It is quite the opportunity.”

Renner said between the Hiland Academic Boosters and Holmes County Foundation, they awarded more than $264,000 in new scholarships to Hiland seniors.

One part of the evening was area leaders and presenters sharing their wisdom with the students.

“Find ways to find the joy as you carry on,” said presenter Matt Beechy, who received a scholarship 25 years ago. “Those 25 years went in a moment, so enjoy even the things that don’t seem enjoyable.”

Presenter Anya Schlegel of Keim congratulated the seniors for stepping into the challenge of higher education.

“In today’s world it is so discouraged to go to college,” Schlegel said. “Thank you for your willingness to put in time and effort into learning your profession and to bring the good stuff into this world.”

While presenting the Kimberly Stalnaker Scholarship, Marshall Baird said the students and families should feel blessed to live in such a caring community.

“We are blessed to live in a community that shows this much support for the next generation,” Baird said. “The number of scholarships we are able to present for a school this size is awesome.”

He also encouraged the students to consider coming back home once they graduate because this community has some fascinating job opportunities that provide culture and values.

“Those businesses are making investments in providing scholarships because years from now you’ll be the ones taking those businesses to the next level,” Baird said.

Presenter David Borter of Centor provided words of wisdom that came from decades of coaching Hiland girls basketball.

“As you go forward, don’t be afraid of failure,” Borter said. “You’ve already learned the value of hard work and discipline. If you fail, it’s only failing forward. Set you goals high and keep achieving.”

Renner wrapped up the event by saying there is nothing but great and rewarding moments taking place on this evening, and the students who have worked hard are being rewarded for their dedication and hard work in their studies.

He thanked the Hiland Academic Booster Club and President Chris Gertz for their work in supporting the students with financial aid to pursue higher education.

“Our community is great at supporting these kids,” Renner said, adding one additional positive has been the district’s partnership with local businesses in the work study program, which gets students into the everyday work world.

“We’ve made a lot of strides the last couple of years partnering with different local businesses in creating programs that give our students great opportunities,” Renner said.

He said any business that would like to get involved with the work study program can connect with either him or Mark Hamsher at the high school.

The following list includes the scholarships and students who received them:

Beechy’s Inc., Perrin Miller; Yoder Lumber Scholarship, Grady Monigold; Walnut Creek Foods/Berlin Main Street Merchants Scholarship, Isaiah Wagler; Keim Company Scholarship, Alyssa Hales; ProVia Scholarship, Clairen Varga; Hummel Group & Brian Hummel Memorial Scholarship, Chloe Beach; Weaver Leather/Kimberly Stalnaker Memorial Scholarship, Yevhenii Antoniuk; Weaver Leather/Nevin Mishler Memorial Scholarship, Chase Coblentz; Hiland Music Boosters Choral Scholarship, Maxwell Jones; Hiland Music Boosters Band Scholarship, Kallie Eckert; Mike Pacula Memorial Scholarship, Alyssa Hales; Mullwoods Scholarship, Bailey Weiser;

First Federal Bank Scholarship, Evie Mast; Loren & Mary Hostetler Memorial Scholarship, Ethan Wise; Guggisberg Cheese Scholarship, Chanelle Kellogg; P.M. Graham Family Scholarship, Yevhenii Antoniuk, Jalyn Immel, Chloe Beach and Chase Coblentz; Commercial & Savings Bank Scholarship, Savannah Holly; Centor Scholarship, Maxwel Jones; Killbuck Savings Bank Scholarship, Jalyn Immel; Holmes By-Products Scholarship, Kallie Eckert; Shoemaker Apparel Scholarship, Moriah Yoder;

James A. Miller Memorial Scholarship, Isaac Thomas; Mast Trucking Scholarship, Jack Mast; TH Manufacturing Scholarship, Michael Miller; Dutchman Hospitality Scholarship, Asher Rubio; Perry Reese Jr. Memorial Scholarship, Makayla Miller; Perry Reese Jr. Memorial Basketball Scholarship, Carson Weaver; Millersburg Rotary Club Scholarship, Asher Rubio; Holmes County Education & Community Foundation scholarships in the amount of more than $290,000 for 84 students throughout Holmes County; Salutatorian Scholarship, Chloe Beach; and Valedictorian Scholarship, Perrin Miller.