Local students awarded $20K in scholarships

The Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative Scholarship Contest is offered annually to co-op members’ children who are graduating high school seniors and reside in a home served by Holmes-Wayne Electric. The Cooperative has distributed more than $300,000 in scholarships within the community since its establishment. Judges for the two-day virtual competition were Dale Sidle, Craig Hershberger and Rachel Day.

Lillith Dreibelbis of Norwayne High School is the first-place winner of a $3,000 scholarship in the 2026 contest. Dreibelbis was a part of a group of 24 students representing seven high schools who competed for a total of $20,200 in scholarships.

Dreibelbis is the daughter of Lauren Hargis and Cory Dreibelbis of Burbank. Dreibelbis will be attending Capital University, majoring in biology on a pre-occupational therapy track.

Other winners

—Drew Badertscher: second place ($2,800). Badertscher is the son of Jen and Andy Badertscher of Wooster. A senior at Central Christian School, he will major in social studies education at a university to be chosen soon.

—Luke Starr: third ($2,500). Starr is the son of Kate and Adam Starr of Wooster. He will be graduating from Triway High School. This fall, he will be attending Ohio Northern University, majoring in electrical engineering.

—Madeline Wolf: fourth ($2,000). Wolf is the daughter of Sara and Gregory Wolf of Creston. After graduating from Norwayne High School, she will be attending The Ohio State University, majoring in political science.

—Katherine Kaster: fifth ($1,900). Kaster is the daughter of Laura and Vince Kaster of Millersburg. A senior at West Holmes High School, she will be attending Baldwin Wallace University, majoring in political science.

—Grace Cerniglia: sixth ($1,800). Cerniglia is the daughter of Angela and Andrew Cerniglia of Holmesville. Graduating from Waynedale High School, she will major in international studies at a university to be chosen soon.

—Max Coakley: seventh ($1,700). Coakley is the son of Billi and Gabe Coakley of Millersburg. He is a senior at West Holmes High School and will pursue a degree in pharmaceutical sciences at The Ohio State University.

—Lucas McCort: eighth ($1,600). McCort is the son of Kristen and Mike McCort of Wooster. A senior at Norwayne High School, he will attend Ashland University and major in finance.

—Joy Acker: ninth ($1,500). Acker is the daughter of Beth and Jed Acker of Shreve. A senior at Triway High School, she is pursuing a degree in integrated science education at Bowling Green State University.

—Anabelle Thompson: 10th ($1,400). Thompson is the daughter of Charity and Jason Thompson of Holmesville. A senior at Waynedale High School, she will major in primary inclusive education at the University of Akron – Wayne College.