Scholarships
Foundation Offers Annual Scholarships to Seniors
Get rewarded for your hard work! Thanks to the generous support of several planned giving donors, and the phenomenal success of the 2022 Great Gifts Dessert Auction, The Highland Foundation is offering 54 scholarships worth a total of $78,962 to graduating seniors in 2023. To learn more about the selection criteria for each scholarship, click on the APPLICATION links below. Applicants will need to complete the following INSTRUCTIONS for each scholarship submission. The deadline to submit a scholarship application within NAVIANCE is March 10, 2023.
To Donate: If you are interested in establishing a memorial scholarship or exploring other planned giving options, please contact Theresa Wright, Executive Director, at theresa.wright@highlandfoundation.org.
The Highland Foundation for Educational Excellence Scholarship
In 2012, The Highland Foundation established a $1,000 scholarship to be awarded annually to a deserving high school senior. The scholarship is funded by The Highland Foundation as well as community funding activities throughout the year. The number of available scholarships offered each year varies, based upon donation dollars raised throughout the previous year. The annual recipient is selected based on the Projects Committee’s review of an essay that best exemplifies the mission of The Highland Foundation.
Available – Varies
Scholarship Amount – $1,000
Renewable – No
William O. Wagar Memorial Math & Science Scholarship
This scholarship is inspired by 1983 graduate Bill Wagar, who died quickly in 2000 of cancer. A $1,000 scholarship is awarded annually to a senior majoring in math or science-related field. Criteria for this scholarship include a GPA between 2.5 and 3.5, school/community involvement, an essay and demonstration of financial need.
William J. Kubinski Student-Athlete Scholarship
Bill Kubinski was selfless, devoted, and perhaps the nicest person one could meet. He made time to talk, teach and coach anyone who wanted to listen. learn and improve. He truly believed in people and their potential. For him, it was, “the people who make the difference.” To further his life’s work, the Kubinski family will honor his commitment to education and athletics through the William L. Kubinski Student-Athlete Scholarship awarded to individuals who excel in the classroom, on the field of play, and, most importantly, will pursue a college degree in education. The $2,000 scholarship will be awarded to student-athletes of both Brunswick and Highland high schools.
Available – 1
Scholarship Amount – $2,000
Renewable – No
Baker Family Leadership Scholarship
This scholarship was established by Donald and Carol Baker as a renewable scholarship for a college-bound Highland senior in the top 10% of his/her class 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.
Available -1
Scholarship Amount – $1,000
Renewable – Yes, up to 3 years.
George R. Ayres Memorial Achievement Scholarships
These two scholarships were created through the estate plan of long-time area resident George Ayres. These $3,000 scholarship awards are offered to college-bound Highland seniors in the top 20% of their class who have demonstrated high achievement in their scholastic activities, have a record of performance in activities both in school and in the community, and who plan to pursue collegiate STEM studies.
Available – 2
Scholarship Amount – $3,000
Renewable – Yes, up to 3 years
George R. Ayres Memorial Opportunity Scholarships
These two scholarships were made possible through the estate plan of long-time area resident George Ayres. A self-made man, Mr. Ayres had a great appreciation for the opportunities extended to him during his life. These two $3,000 scholarship awards are available to Highland seniors in need of an opportunity of their own in order to pursue a professional/technical program, associate’s degree, or traditional college course of study. Applicants should have already completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and should explain what inspires them to learn and how this scholarship will impact their future educational and career opportunities.
Available – 2
Scholarship Amount – $3,000
Renewable – Yes, up to 3 years
Mike Kudla Memorial Scholarship
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. From overcoming the rare illness Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis in 2003 and resuming his career with Ohio State to transitioning successfully to the NFL and then succeeding as an entrepreneur, Mike credited his success to his core values and educational experiences. This $1,000 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.
Available – 1
Scholarship Amount – $1,000
Renewable – No
Alyssa & Justin Haun Memorial Scholarship
The Alyssa and Justin Haun Memorial Scholarship was established as a means to give back to the community that gave so much to the Haun family during the aftermath of their tragic deaths on July 4, 2018. Alyssa was entering her junior year at Highland High School with aspirations to obtain advanced degrees in Chemical Engineering. Justin had completed his 8th Grade Year at Bedford Junior High School, in Temperance, MI, and was about to enter his freshman year at the Monroe County Middle College in Monroe with a focus on Life Sciences. He planned to become a neurosurgeon. Both had high expectations of changing the world in uniquely different ways. With their deaths, their parents have made it their mission to make sure that through Alyssa and Justin, lives can still be changed. This $2,500 scholarship will be awarded to a college-bound senior, pursuing a STEM course of study and who has positively impacted others. This scholarship is renewable for up to three years ($2,500 per year).
Available – 1
Scholarship Amount – $2,500
Renewable – Yes, up to 3 years.
Steven J. Bilecky Memorial Scholarship
The Steven J. Bilecky Memorial Scholarship was established by the Bilecky Family in memory of their son, Steven, a 1988 graduate of Highland High School. In addition to demonstrating high academic achievement, applicants must participate in an interview before a faculty committee. This $1,500 scholarship is based on a 7th-semester minimum GPA of 3.5, school and community activities, and letters of recommendation.
Available – 1
Scholarship Amount – $1,500
Renewable – No
Hugh & Grace Eyerdom Memorial Scholarship
The Hugh and Grace Eyerdom Memorial Scholarship was established as part of the Hugh and Grace Eyerdom Memorial Fund created by Don and Edith Simmons in loving memory of Edith’s parents in 2012. Hugh had a feel for nature and because of that the purpose of this $1,000 scholarship is to encourage Highland students to pursue careers that perpetuate Hugh Eyerdom’s love of working with growing things.
Available – 1
Scholarship Amount – $1,000
Renewable – Yes, up to 3 years.
Letha E. House Scholarship
Mrs. Letha House was a life-long resident of Medina County and was very interested in horticulture, specifically flowers and gardening. She had no family and donated her estate to a series of trusts. As a result of one of her trusts being terminated, the Highland Foundation for Educational Excellence received over $30,000, to be used to endow this scholarship, which is based upon the following criteria: 75% upon academic performance and science and 25% upon an interest in pursuing a career in horticulture or a related area. The scholarship awards $1,000 to a recipient.
Available – 1
Scholarship Amount – $1,000
Renewable – No
Chorba Family “Give Where You Live” Scholarship
To honor their Highland education, Dale and Laura Chorba established the Chorba Family “Give Where You Live” Scholarship. Ever connecting people with their passions, Dale and his family created this 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.
Available – 1
Scholarship Amount – $1,981
Renewable – Yes, up to 2 years.
Lalitha Chada Science Scholarship
This scholarship will be awarded based on academic merit, with preference given to applicants who have had an unusual science experience or participated in an exceptional science project. This $2,500 scholarship award is offered to college-bound Highland seniors pursuing a science-related field of study.
Available – 1
Scholarship Amount – $2,500
Renewable – No
Victoria Mackenzie Jackson Memorial Scholarship
The Victoria Mackenzie Jackson Memorial Scholarship was established in 2013 by parents Dr. Glenna and Mr. Mark Jackson in memory of their daughter, Victoria and her passion for high school life and music. From choir to band to marching band to voice lessons, Victoria immersed herself in music. Sadly, in December 2009, at age 16, she lost her life in an automobile accident. Victoria was known for her fashion, music, counseling, and strong faith. Her life, spirit and love for music are remembered through the annual selection of an outstanding music student to receive a $1,000 scholarship in her memory.
The High School Music Faculty & Staff select the recipient of this award. The criteria are three-fold:
- The student must be in two curricular music groups (band/choir, choir/orchestra, band/orchestra);
2. The student must have the highest points of those in two curricular music groups; and
3. Instrumental Music and Vocal Directors agree that the highest point value is reflective of outstanding accomplishment and contribution.
3880 Ridge Road
Medina, OH 44256
information@highlandfoundation.org
©2023. The Highland Foundation for Educational Excellence.