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Oregon, Ohio, Aug. 11, 2014: The German-American Festival Society announces its scholarship awards for 2014. German Language Scholarships for $1000 were awarded to two Toledo graduating high school seniors who distinguished themselves in their study of the German language and culture. GAF Societies Active Participant Scholarships, also for $1000, were awarded to two top students from Perrysburg, who have volunteered for years at the Festival.
To qualify for the awards, students must have taken an academic or college preparatory course of study and attained a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0-point system. Participation in additional school-sponsored organizations and extra-curricular activities is also required. Students applying for the German-language scholarship must be in at least their third year of German language study. For the Active Participant Scholarships, applicants must have either volunteered at the Festival or participated actively in any of the seven member societies of the G.A.F.
The following are the 2014 recipients of $1,000 scholarships:
- Alison Feehan is a graduate of Whitmer High School. Besides her perfect GPA in high school German classes, Alison’s infectious enthusiasm for the German language, which she studied during all 4 years of high school, particularly impressed her German teacher, Krista Balwinski. Alison is a member of the exclusive Delta Epsilon Phi German Honor Society; as an officer and “Webmeisterin,” she has led school initiatives promoting interest in learning and speaking German. During her high school career, Alison also participated in varsity golf, marching band and the National Honor Society. In the fall, Alison will attend the University of Toledo, where she plans to study Nursing. A Toledo resident, she is the daughter of Deb and Patrick Feehan.
- Katlyn Westoven of Toledo is a 2014 graduate of E. L. Bowsher High School, where she, too, aced 4 years of German classes, including several Honors classes. As a participant in the Sister Cities International Exchange Program, she served as an ambassador from Toledo to Delmenhorst, Germany, and hosted her German counterpart in Toledo. According to BCSN Sportscaster Tom Cole, who has worked with Katlyn on a professional television set, Katlyn is “the best of the best…. a leader and a doer.” Besides German, Katlyn is passionate about sports. She was a 4-year member of Bowsher’s Track Team, was Captain of the Cross Country Team, and also held jobs with LineDrive Sportz and the Toledo Mud Hens. Katlyn will attend Bowling Green State University in the fall to pursue a degree in Telecommunications. She is the daughter of Sean and Tiffany Westhoven.
- Eric Hartkopf of Perrysburg is a graduate of St. John’s Jesuit High School. A few months before enrolling there, he learned that the school planned to phase out its German language program, and would not offer German 1 his freshman year. Rather than choosing another language to study, he enlisted the aid of a German tutor. After a summer of diligent study, he successfully tested into the sophomore level German 2 class, which was still being offered. Subsequently, he placed into AP German, and served as President of SJJ’s German Club. Eric was also Captain of the SJJ Rowing Team, a Student Council officer and member of the National Honor Society, and is a self-employed landscaper. Since his youth, Eric has been a dedicated volunteer at the annual German-American Festival, assisting his family in the roasted almond (gebrannte Mandeln) booth. Eric will be attending Miami University, where he plans to continue studying German, along with Finance, ultimately pursuing a career in Dentistry. He is the son of Alfred and Kerry Hartkopf.
- Allison Studtmann is a 2014 graduate of St. Ursula Academy. Alli has participated in activities of the G.A.F. since she was a pre-schooler. She attended the G.A.F. Jugendwoche (Youth Week) camp as a youngster, and served as a camp counselor throughout high school. An active member of the German Beneficial Union society (and ticket scanner at the Festival), she cherishes fond memories of the annual Christmas, Easter and Halloween parties at Oak Shade Grove. Alli has an impressive resume of activities and awards while in high school. At St. Ursula, she was Captain of the Crew and Gymnastics teams, Student Council class representative, and member of the National Honor Society, the Concert Choir and Musical Chorus. She has received numerous awards for her church and community service work, including the President’s Volunteer Service Award. A volunteer at St. Luke’s Hospital, she plans to study nursing this fall at the University of Cincinnati. Allison is the daughter of Ronald and Wendy Studtmann, and resides in Perrysburg.
In addition to the $1000 Scholarships, awards from the G.A.F. of $100 were presented to the following students chosen by their teachers as their schools' top graduating scholars: Rylee Clark, Start High School, Ashley Everett, Sylvania Southview High School, and Alison Feehan, Whitmer High School. Each of the participating schools will receive a classroom subscription to German World magazine. German World is an excellent teaching tool, publishing articles in English and German, side-by-side.
The German-American Festival is the largest supporter of high school level foreign language education in the Toledo area. These awards mark the 49th year of recognizing young German scholars in northwest Ohio. Questions regarding these scholarships can be directed to: [email protected].
Additionally, several German and Swiss Societies make scholarships available. The Toledo Schwaben Verein gives $500 scholarships to full time students in an undergraduate college program or a technical school. This year they awarded 7 scholarships to the following students:
- The Schwaben Verein Scholarships: Emily Belcik, Capital University; Elise Lohmann, University of Toledo; Eric Lohmann, University of Toledo; Kaitlyn Mueller, University of Toledo; Danielle Rieck, Western Michigan University; Jordan Schnabel, University of Toledo;
- The Herman and Maria Schmalzried Scholarship: Craig Lohmann, Bowling Green State University; Monica Mason, Kent State University
The Toledo Schwaben Verein has awarded scholarships for 13 years, for a total of 105 scholarships and $52,500.
GBU FINANCIAL LIFE, annually awards several scholarships and grants promoting scholarship through the GBU Foundation. This year’s GBU District 510 members awarded a GBU Foundation Scholarship or grant include:
2014 Freshmen Award ($2,500): Alex Kloster, Miami University;
2014 Two-Year Award ($1,000): Hayley Friedman, Unknown
2013 Freshman Renewal ($1,500): Anna Studtmann, University of Kentucky;
2012 Freshmen Renewal ($1,500): Hannah Birchall, University of Toledo, Tyler Halicek Marquette University;
2012 Bert Waltenberger Memorial Scholarship ($1,500): Elise Lohmann, University of Toledo;
2014 College Grants ($500): David Birchall, University of Toledo, Allison Studtmann, University of Cincinnati; High School Freshmen Grant ($100): Caleb Gill, Garrett Gresh and Daniel Powers.
On the Internet: German-American Festival: www.germanamericanfestival.net
Mexican Fiesta: www.mexicanfiesta.org
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