By Press Staff Writer
For more than 35 years, the Genoa Area Local Schools Scholarship Foundation, Inc. has been helping Genoa High School graduates pursue further education through scholarships.
Thirty-five years after the Foundation was created, it has changed from being Genoa’s “best kept secret” to having more than $1.9 million in assets.
The Foundation had its beginnings when on Jan. 7, 1991, a group of local citizens organized the Genoa Area Education Foundation. Russ Bless, Richard Iffland, Thomas Stanley, Daisy Takas, Robert Tank and Dennis Vine were among the small core of individuals who, through considerable time and effort, legally established the Foundation.
The goal of the public charitable was to improve the opportunity for a quality education for GHS graduates.
This Foundation has held a tax-free status with the IRS since March 2, 1994. In November 2002, the name of the organization was changed to the Genoa Area Local Schools Scholarship Foundation.
Since its inception, the Foundation has continued to grow in order to provide scholarships to graduating seniors each year.
The efforts and follow-through of the trustees saw the fledgling organization through infancy to the solid footing which it enjoys today. Growth continues due to the generosity and support from individuals, along with local businesses and community clubs, which support Genoa Schools.
Over the past five years, the Foundation has awarded 405 scholarships. This year, a total of 92 scholarships were awarded to 46 seniors through the Foundation. There are currently 50 individual scholarship funds that offered 76 scholarships in 2026. Sixteen additional scholarships were given by various individuals, businesses and organizations in conjunction with the Foundation. Scholarship values range from $500 to $4,250.
The various scholarship funds in the Foundation total over $1.9 million in assets to assist GHS students in furthering their education.
Scholarships are presented annually at the high schools Honors Award Program in the spring.
This year’s awards include:
- Allen-Clay Joint Fire District Firefighter Associations Scholarship: Lyla Edens, Caleb Widmer.
- Helen Asmus Memorial Scholarship: Sam Buehler, Mia Robinson, Michael Williamson, Nate Wise.
- John & Florence Badger Scholarship: Isaac Schimmoeller.
- Stella Bertz Scholarship: Gabrielle Bomyea.
- Doris Brossia Memorial Scholarship: Cason Ledford.
- Clay-Genoa High School Reunion Scholarship: Olivia Mihlbauer.
- Curtice Kidz/Allen Township Scholarship: Lyla Edens.
- Dehn Sisters Memorial Scholarship: Mya Colvin.
- Envirosafe Scholarship: Zachary Ovall.
- Timothy J. Fisher/Briana Bertok-Schack Memorial Science Scholarship: James Huston.
- Foundation Scholarship Fund: Brae Diebert, Jayden Kutchenriter, Kaden LaGrange, Callie Wolniewicz.
- Bruce and Alyssa Gackstetter Memorial Scholarship: Keira Combs.
- Genoa Area Federation of Clubs – Tomme Bergman Memorial Scholarship: Amelia Wilcox.
- Genoa Area FFA Alumni Scholarship: Gavin Goodman, Olivia Martin, Brock Mathews, Olivia Mihlbauer, Lyla Sprague.
- Genoa Area Music Boosters Scholarship: Amelia Wilcox.
- Genoa Athletic Boosters Scholarship: Luke Clement, Adrianna Williams.
- Genoa Elementary Parent Teachers Organization (PTO) Scholarship: Cassie Miller.
- Genoa Golf Scholarship: Vincent Pasty.
- Genoa Grange Scholarship: Brock Mathews, Lyla Sprague.
- Genoa Kiwanis Leroy Fowler Scholarship: Kaleigh Hayward, Brianne Hornyak, Lyla Sprague, Madelyn Stiles.
- Genoa National Honor Society Scholarship: Aaron Straka.
- Genoa Wrestling Scholarship: Luke Clement.
- Ron & Diane Gerkensmeyer Scholarship: Aiden Johnson.
- Margaret "Peggy" Hebert Memorial Scholarship: Dylan Kemley, Evan Millner, Christian Stokes, Jacob Woollard.
- Lester M. Henningsen Scholarship: Mya Colvin.
- Roger & M.C. Hesselbart Memorial Scholarship: Lyla Edens.
- Andrew Hirt Memorial Scholarship: Brock Mathews.
Jennifer L. Johnson Memorial Scholarship: Evan Millner.
- Ryan Kimball Memorial Scholarship: Jacob Woollard.
- “Papa Joe” McLear Memorial Scholarship: Brianne Hornyak.
- David K. Miller Memorial Scholarship: Braden Lesher.
- Edith C. Niehousmyer Scholarship: Brianne Hornyak, Kylee Snyder.
- Grace H. Niehousmyer Scholarship: Charlize Magnone, Mia Robinson, Isaac Schimmoeller, Lyla Sprague.
- Helen L. Niehousmyer Scholarship: Mya Colvin, Aaron Straka.
- Irma Nolte Memorial Scholarship: Brianne Hornyak.
- Curt Reinbolt Memorial Scholarship: Ava Huss.
- Carol Scharer Scholarship: Braden Lesher, Aaron Straka.
- John F. Schultz Memorial Scholarship: Lyla Edens.
- The Sheahan Family Scholarship: Olivia Martin, Benjamin Sommers III.
- Siglar-Shessler Memorial Scholarship: Benjamin Sommers III.
- Julie Simmons Memorial Scholarship: Gavin Goodman.
- George Stuller Memorial Scholarship: Luke Clement.
- Marcia Tank Education Scholarship: Benjamin Sommers III.
- Tank Science/Engineering Scholarship: Aiden Johnson.
- The Truman Family Scholarship: James Huston.
- Debra Sue Vine Memorial Scholarship: Isaac Schimmoeller.
- Wagner/Sondergeld Memorial Scholarship: Charlize Magnone.
- James Walton Medical Scholarship: Lyla Edens.
- Frances M Weirich Memorial Scholarship: Gabrielle Bomyea.
- Lee & Sandy Yackee Memorial Scholarship: Diego Estrada.
Additional Local Scholarships
- Charles W and Donna E Foss Scholarship: Alina Kegerize. David Nissen, Vincent Pasty, Caleb Widmer.
- Chippewa Golf Club: Aiden Johnson.
- Genoa Area Education Association (GAEA) – Dave Miller Honorarium: Brianne Hornyak.
- GenoaBank: Brock Mathews, Noah Suckle, Adrianna Williams.
- Genoa Coterie Club: Alina Kegerize.
- Genoa Chamber of Commerce: Brock Mathews, Adrianna Williams.
- Jennifer K. Martin Scholarship (Ottawa County Community Foundation): Olivia Martin.
- Mayor Blatt Scholarship (Ottawa County Community Foundation): Kylee Snyder.
- Ohio Association of Public School Employees (OAPSE): Cydni Feckley, Gavin Goodman.
