Ayden has been a member of Student Council, Peer Leading, and National Honor Society. He was also a member of the varsity wrestling, track, and cross country teams. Ayden will be attending Wake Forest University in the fall and plans to study Mathematics Applied to Business.

Kourt has been an incredibly involved student; a varsity athlete, musician, and talented scholar. Kourt is a Morrill Scholar at Ohio State University and plans to use their college years and beyond to champion diversity wherever they may be. Kourt will be studying French and Francophone Studies.

Amanda was a member of the Highland High School Marching Band and the Environmental Science Club. She participated in school plays, and most recently won an award as a member of the International Thespians’ Honor Society. Amanda will be attending Ohio State University’s Newark Campus to study Zoology.

Ella has been involved in a multitude of clubs and activities while at Highland High School including National Honor Society, VOFT, D.A.R.E., Color Guard, Girl Scouts, and more. She plans to attend Baldwin Wallace University in the fall to study Education with the goal of becoming a teacher.

Maria was a very busy student at Highland High School as a Sixth Grade Camp Counselor, Greek Dance Instructor, member of National Honor Society, S.A.D.D., VOFT, Student Council, Robotics, and more. She will be attending The Ohio State University in the fall to study Pre-Optometry.

Elijah has been involved in multiple extracurricular activities while at Highland including Peer Leading, Yearbook, Student Council, National Honor Society, and Spanish Club. Elijah will be attending the Rose Hulman Institute of Technology and will be studying Chemical Engineering.

Abigail has played violin in the Pit Orchestra for three musicals, played softball for the high school team for three years and is both a member of National Honor Society and National Art Honor Society. Abigail will be attending Kent State University and plans to study Graphic Arts.

Addyson was an integral member of both Highland’s Peer Leading Program and Spanish Club. Addyson will be attending The Ohio State University with plans to major in Marketing.

Sage has been highly involved both in school and out of school through participation in National Honor Society, the Highland musicals, D.A.R.E., Highland Women’s Soccer, and more. She will be attending Columbia College Chicago to study Film Production.

Hailey is the Student Council President, Students Against Destructive Decisions President, National Honor Society Vice President, a Peer Leader, and a Varsity Soccer Player. She will be attending the University of Cincinnati to study Chemical Engineering.

Logan has been Captain of the Football Team, a participant in VOFT and National Honor Society, and he has played football and baseball for all four of his high school years. Logan plans to attend Kent State University to study Psychology. 

Ethan has been a Peer Tutor, participant in Boy Scouts, and a  member of a variety of clubs including the Entrepreneurship Club. He will be attending Brigham Young University to study Marketing and Supply Chain Management.

Nandini is a talented Computer Programmer who has been Programming for the past four years. She is interested in the field of Artificial Intelligence and hopes to use AI to better our daily lives. She has been President of Students Against Destructive Decisions and programming Lead of the Robotics Team. Nandini will be headed to Purdue University to study Computer Science.

 Gabriel is a talented pole vaulter who has cleared 12’6”, he has received the Suburban League Scholar Athlete Award for Varsity Track, and is a member of National Honor Society. Gabriel will be attending Ohio Northern University in the fall to study Computer Engineering.

Madison is a talented tennis player who not only excels in playing the sport, but also helps with the Highland Tennis Program in the elementary, middle, and high school. Madison volunteers regularly for different camps throughout the year where she helps run drills, games, and teach younger generations about tennis. She will be attending The Ohio State University and studying Political Science in the fall.

Allyson is a student you can often find volunteering to help others; her favorite volunteer activity is being an NHS Peer Tutor. Allyson plans to attend Ohio Wesleyan University. She will be minoring in Dance while she discovers what major is her passion.

Megan is a student section leader, Class of 2023 Vice President, a member of Yearbook, Editor for the Highland Newspaper, and Vice President of National Honor Society. Megan plans to attend The Ohio State University and major in Nursing.

Stephen has been involved in a variety of extracurricular activities while at Highland including Marching Band, Concert Band, and Wind Ensemble as a Trombone Player. He is part of the Robotics Club, Chess Club, and Speech & Debate Team. Stephen will be studying Entomology and Biology at The Ohio State University this fall. 

Emily is part of the Tennis Club, an active member at her church, a Highland High School Honor Roll Student and has received an award for Outstanding Leadership. Emily will be attending The University of Akron and majoring in Human Resources.

Natalee has been actively involved in many activities at Highland including Varsity Soccer, Varsity Track, Student Council, Yearbook, Orchestra, National Honor Society, and more. She will be attending the University of Akron in the fall to study Chemical Engineering.

Mason is a member of National Honor Society, is an active tutor, and runs varsity track and field as well as cross country. Mason will be attending The University of Chicago and plans to major in Molecular Engineering.

Paige has many accomplishments including Coaching Gymnastics, volunteering for Highland’s Cheer Tumbling Camp, leading Safety Town, participating in National Honor Society, and being a part of the Student of the Month Selection Committee. She will be attending Bowling Green State University in the fall and studying Integrated Mathematics Education.

Izabella has been an actively involved student at Highland High School, completing almost 1,000 volunteer hours in total through programs such as National Art Honor Society and Volunteer Opportunities for Teens. She has coached youth rugby and football teams since she was 13. Izabella will be headed to Bowling Green State University to study Sports Psychology.

Hayley’s many accomplishments include being a yearbook editor as well as a participant in National Honor Society, Student Council, and Peer Leading. Hayley was Student of the Month for the month of January. In the fall, Hayley will be headed to Ohio State University to study Communications. 

The Baker Family Leadership Scholarship ($1,000)–This scholarship was established by Donald and Carol Baker as a renewable scholarship for a college-bound Highland senior who has demonstrated exceptional academic and social leadership traits at school and or in the community while a student at Highland Local Schools. The initial scholarship amount is $1,000, with the renewable amount of $1,000 annually for up to three years, provided the recipient remains in contact with The Highland Foundation and meets the renewal criteria set forth in the scholarship application. The winner of the Baker Family Leadership Scholarship is Nandini Pande. To highlight a few of Nandini’s accomplishments, she was Senior Class Officer, Mentor of Speech and Debate, and the Programming Lead of the Robotics Team for all four years she was at Highland. She will be studying Computer Science at Purdue University.

Victoria M. Jackson Performing Arts Scholarship ($1,000) —This scholarship was established by the Jackson family in memory of their daughter, Victoria, who passed away in an auto accident in 2009. This scholarship is presented annually to an outstanding performing arts student. This year’s recipient is Emelia Aceto, talented actress and singer. She has been in a large variety of musicals including Les Miserables and Peter Pan. Emelia has won countless vocal competitions including Butler University’s 2023 Vocal Competition, and NATS 2021, Ohio. Emelia plans to attend Baldwin Wallace University and will be studying Vocal Performance with a minor in Arts Administration.

Mike Kudla Memorial Scholarship ($1,000) —This scholarship honors the hard work, determination, kindness and generosity for which Michael John Kudla was known and is remembered. Mike was a proud 2002 honors graduate of Highland High School and The Ohio State University. An honor student and four-year letter winner at both institutions, he was known for his strength on and off the football field. The Mike Kudla Memorial Scholarship shall be awarded to a college bound Highland student who is passionate in their life goals, has the qualities needed to persevere through life’s obstacles and is determined to make a difference by helping others in the community. This year’s recipient is Adam Ricco. To highlight a few of his accomplishments, Adam is a National Honor Society Peer Tutoring Officer, Speech and Debate President, Kiwanis Student of the Year, and an Eagle Scout. Adam will be attending Cleveland State University this fall to study Mechanical Engineering.

Steven J. Bilecky Memorial Scholarship ($1,500) —Established by the Bilecky family in memory of their son, Steven, a 1988 graduate, applicants must demonstrate high academic achievement. Kate Weber is the recipient of this year’s Steven J. Bilecky Memorial Scholarship. To highlight a few of her accomplishments, Kate has been Class President both her Junior and Senior Year. She was co-president of Spanish Club, a member of the National Honor Society and participates in both Volleyball and Track. Kate plans to attend the University of Dayton in the fall to study Forensic Psychology.

William O. Wagar Memorial Math & Science Scholarship ($1,000) —Inspired by 1983 graduate Bill Wagar who died of cancer in 2000, this scholarship is awarded to a senior majoring in a math or science-related field. The winner of this scholarship is Courtney Saunders. To highlight a few of her accomplishments, Courtney plays Rugby, and is a member of the Robotics Club, Key Club, and Volunteer Opportunities for Teens. She will be attending The Ohio State University in the fall to study Pre-Occupational Therapy.

Letha E. House Scholarship ($1,000) —
Mrs. House was a life-long resident of Medina County and was very interested in horticulture, specifically flowers and gardening. Recipients must pursue a career in horticulture or related field of study. Ella Clapper has been a member of a multitude of clubs including Student Council, National Honor Society, Leadership Medina County, and 4H. She plans to attend Baldwin Wallace University and major in Education with the goal of becoming a teacher.

Alyssa & Justin Haun Memorial Scholarship ($2,500) —This scholarship was established as a means to give back to the community that gave so much to the Haun family in the wake of the siblings’ tragic deaths in July 2018. This renewable scholarship is awarded to a college-bound senior pursuing a STEM course of study and one who has positively impacted others. Mason Wright is this year’s recipient. To highlight just a few of Mason’s accomplishments, he is a member of National Honor Society, and he attended Buckeye Boys State where he learned leadership and management skills in the summer of 2022. Mason plans to attend The University of Chicago and major in Molecular Engineering.

George R. Ayres Memorial Achievement Scholarship ($3,000) —These scholarships were created through the estate plan of long-time area resident George Ayres. The scholarships are offered to college-bound Highland seniors in the top 20% of their class who have demonstrated high achievement in scholastic activities, have a record of activities both in school and in the community, and who plan to pursue collegiate STEM studies. Hailey Kelps has been involved in several activities while at Highland, to name a few, she is Student Council President and SADD President. Hailey will be headed to the University of Cincinnati in the fall to study Chemical Engineering.

George R. Ayres Memorial Achievement Scholarship ($3,000) —
These scholarships were created through the estate plan of long-time area resident George Ayres. The scholarships are offered to college-bound Highland seniors in the top 20% of their class who have demonstrated high achievement in scholastic activities, have a record of activities both in school and in the community, and who plan to pursue collegiate STEM studies. Dylan Jones is a member of the Robotics Team, National Honor Society and Medina Leadership. Dylan will be attending The Ohio State University to study Aerospace Engineering.

George R. Ayres Memorial Opportunity Scholarships ($3,000) —Made possible through the estate plan of long-time area resident George Ayres, these scholarships are available to Highland seniors in need of an opportunity of their own in order to pursue a professional/technical program, associates degree or traditional college course of study. Applicants explain what inspires them to learn and how this scholarship will impact their future educational and career opportunities. Levi Norman is receiving this year’s scholarship. He has wrestled for 13 years and was involved with concert band and marching band.  Levi enjoys working out, fishing, hunting, dirt biking, snowboarding, gymnastics, and baseball.  He is also involved with his church’s youth group and has attended youth group camps over the last two summers. This Christmas Levi plans to volunteer to deliver decorated Christmas trees to two different families who had a child in palliative care at Akron Children’s Hospital. Levi has completed the FIRE/EMT program at the Medina County Career Center and plans to attend Hocking College to continue his Fire degree to become a Firefighter/Paramedic.

Chorba Family “Give Where You Live” Scholarship ($1,981) —The Chorba family believes in supporting their local community. To honor their Highland education, they established the Chorba Family “Give Where You Live” Scholarship. Ever connecting people with their passions, Dale and his family created a two-year college scholarship that honors their legacy. The scholarship will be awarded to a graduating Highland senior with a 3.0 or better GPA, an athlete, band or orchestra member and who is pursuing collegiate study in business and/or music. As a special honor to his alma maters, the scholarship award amounts will coincide with Dale’s graduation years: $1981, the first year, and $1985, the second year. Ayden Boucher is one of this year’s recipients. He is a dedicated athlete and member of the Highland community. He runs Varsity Cross Country and Varsity Track. He also is a Varsity Wrestler, a Club Baseball Player, and a member of the Highland High School Marching Band. Ayden will be attending Wake Forest University with plans to study Mathematics Applied to Business.  

Chorba Family “Give Where You Live” Scholarship ($1,981) —The Chorba family believes in supporting their local community. To honor their Highland education, they established the Chorba Family “Give Where You Live” Scholarship. Ever connecting people with their passions, Dale and his family created a two-year college scholarship that honors their legacy. The scholarship will be awarded to a graduating Highland senior with a 3.0 or better GPA, an athlete, band or orchestra member and who is pursuing collegiate study in business and/or music. As a special honor to his alma maters, the scholarship award amounts will coincide with Dale’s graduation years: $1981, the first year, and $1985, the second year. Hannah Tramonte is a winner of this year’s scholarship. She is a dedicated musician and member of the Highland community. She has been an integral part of Highland’s choir and musical programs over her four years at Highland participating in 4 years of Chorale, four years of Musicals, and an innumerable amount of musical competitions and performances including one at the 2022 Great Gifts Dinner Auction. Hannah will be attending Baldwin Wallace University where she plans to double major in Music Industry and Voice.