WILMINGTON — Sharon Breckel recently presented the 2018 Sugar & Spice awards to this year’s recipients, Lauren Johnson, a graduate of Blanchester High School, and Andrew Houseman, a graduate of Clinton-Massie High School.

The Sugar & Spice program, started in 2000 as an initiative of the Clinton Democratic Party, provides a monetary scholarship to qualifying seniors.

Lauren’s Blanchester High School career consisted of band, art club, theater and academic team. Her outside activities included 4-H member for nine years and a 4-H camp counselor for two years.

Lauren is excited about attending Kent State in the fall, majoring in Global Communication with a minor in Early Childhood studies. Lauren hopes to learn methods to help young children who may have difficulties in communicating.

Her grandmother, Sandra Fisher, attended the event.

Andrew Houseman’s high school career at Clinton-Massie include playing football, swimming team captain and a recent class officer.

Outside of school, Andrew participated in many activities including Boy Scouts (earning Eagle Scout in 2016), Leadership Clinton Youth Collaborative, 4-H for nine years (counselor for two years) and Junior Fair Board for three years.

Andrew plans to attend The Ohio State University majoring in Agricultural Systems Management. His long-term goal also includes opening a wood working/handmade furniture store.

Andrew’s parents, Tim and Amy Houseman, accompanied him at the event.

Funds for the scholarships are raised from the Tasting Luncheon where local supporters make food items for participants to taste. Over the past years, this successful program has been able to help many local high school graduates persue their continuing education dreams.