A cohort of twenty-one exceptional seniors from Mahoning County were celebrated on May 3 as they were awarded the prestigious J.L. Francis Scholarship, First Place Community Fund, a division of the Community Fund of the Mahoning Valley.
Established in tribute to Jeffery Francis in 2006, this scholarship bestows $1,000 upon each recipient, recognizing their outstanding academic achievements and dedication to their schools and communities. The recipients represent a diverse array of high schools within Mahoning County, including public schools, chartered Christian schools, Ursuline High School, Cardinal Mooney High School, as well as the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center (MCCTC) and Youngstown Choffin.
Eligibility for the scholarship is based on maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.0 and demonstrating a commitment to volunteerism and community service. Candidates are required to submit a career essay, a letter of reference, and an application for evaluation by the Educational Service Center of Eastern Ohio (ESCEO) team.
The Class of 2024 recipients of the esteemed J.L. Francis Scholarship include:
Trent Williamson from Columbiana High School
Kaleigh Williams from Mahoning County CTC
Blake Thomas from Sebring McKinley High School
Gretchen Bartels from South Range High School
Ashley Bellstrom from Springfield High School
Brynn Smith from West Branch High School
Evelyn Collier from Western Reserve High School
These outstanding students exemplify academic excellence and community leadership, embodying the spirit of the J.L. Francis Scholarship.
