The Outstanding Women of Clinton County committee annually awards four scholarships — one each to senior students at Wilmington, Blanchester, East Clinton and Clinton-Massie high schools.
This year’s scholarship winners will be recognized Saturday, March 2 at the Roberts Centre. More information on the event, including how to get tickets, is at the end of this story. Please note that Feb. 28 is the deadline for tickets.
The four scholarship winners are:
Emily Brausch, Clinton-Massie
Emily’s after-graduation plans take her to Hillsdale College in Michigan, to major in Marketing Management and minor in Organizational Communication. While at Hillsdale, her plans include completing at least one internship for a non-profit organization in preparation for a career in that field.
A believer in the transformational nature of service, Emily has spent many hours giving to the local community.
Area organizations and projects she is involved with include Your Father’s Kitchen, Matthew 25 Ministries, Saint Columbkille Catholic Church, Denver Park, Hands against Hunger, Cardboard City, Walk for Life, American Heritage Girls Little Flower Retreat 2017, and Wendy’s Thanksgiving meals have all benefited from Emily’s volunteer passion.
Emily has had a preview of college academics by participating in the College Credit Plus (CCP) program at University of Cincinnati’s Blue Ash campus the past two years. Upon graduation, she will have accrued 50 credit hours in Biology, Psychology, Calculus and Anatomy. She describes the coursework as “challenging” but she is excited to have the credits accumulated and money saved.
While taking college classes, Emily has still managed to maintain a top 10 academic standing in her class, and still participate in many activities like the National Honor Society, class aide, and last year’s spring production of “Into the Woods.”
She has also served as Patrol Leader and Chaplain for her scouting unit of American Heritage Girls and club secretary for her 4-H group, Clinton County Cookie Cutters.
Jordan Snarr, Wilmington
In preparation for her future, Jordan will be attending Wilmington College, majoring in Business Administration with Management Concentration.
Dedicated to serving her local community, Jordan works at Cape May as a Culinary and Nutrition Services Associate and truly enjoys interacting with each of the 80 residents she serves.
Prior to employment at Cape May, she volunteered there, through an organization called Opening Minds Through Art (OMA). Through OMA, students are paired with senior residents who are suffering from dementia. The student volunteers then meet with residents for six sessions and paint abstract art.
Jordan’s other community service activities include White Gift, Brake for Breakfast, Historic Murphy Theatre Christmas Show, Cardboard City, Junior Achievement Classroom Consultant, Shred It Day, Your Father’s Kitchen, Wilmington Friends Meeting Youth Group and more.
Lettering in cross country and soccer, this stand-out scholar-athlete earned many distinctions during high school, including Wilmington High School Scholar-Athlete, South Central Ohio League Athlete and Ohio Academic All Southwest Athlete. She was also a multiple Perfect Attendance Student of the Month winner and a member of the National Honor Society, Phi Delta Sigma, and OHSAA Leadership Conference.
During her high school career, Jordan has served on Student Council, and was elected Sophomore Class President and as a homecoming queen candidate by her peers. She also served as a community blood drive organizer, Project TRUST counselor and Quaker Knoll Camp Counselor.
Olivia Gundler, Blanchester
Following graduation from Blanchester High School, Olivia plans to attend the University of Akron where she will study Marketing and Graphic Design. Passionate about children’s rights, Olivia hopes to use her degree to work for a non-profit organization.
Active in the Blanchester community, Olivia has served others through many organizations and events including The Exchange soup kitchen, Blanchester Christmas Community Dinner, youth sports camps, Lions Bike Rodeo, Right to Read Week and numerous church activities.
A talented athlete in soccer, cross country, basketball and track, Olivia will have earned 16 varsity letters upon graduation. She was named Runner of the Year for cross country during her senior season and was nominated for Athlete of the Week for cross country from the Cincinnati Enquirer. She is also a four-year recipient of the Scholar-Athlete Award (3.5 GPA or higher) for every sport in which she has participated.
Other school activities include student council member and secretary (four years), soccer and basketball captain, National Honor Society, member of FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes), and homecoming queen.
Olivia was chosen as a delegate to Buckeye Girls State, where she was elected a town councilwoman. During her junior year, Olivia was selected to attend the Southern Buckeye Athletic and Academic Conference (SBAAC) where she learned life leadership skills along with other athletes from around the league.
Olivia has also served on the Youth Leadership Team and as a Sunday School teacher for Elevation Community Church.
Ashley Kinner, East Clinton
Upon graduation from East Clinton High School, Ashley plans to attend Southern State Community College to become a Registered Nurse. After earning her RN, Ashley plans to transfer to Ohio Christian to obtain a BSN with the ultimate career goal of becoming a Nurse Practitioner or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
Ashley has served others in the surrounding community through donating time to organizations such as Samaritan’s Purse, Nike Center, Adopt-a-Highway, and Sabina Food Delivery. She has also volunteered as a blood donor, Corn Festival worker, and at the FFA Pork Booth at the Ohio State Fair.
Through her position as a culinary server at Ohio Living Cape May Retirement Community, Ashley has gained critically important work experience. She finds the residents to be inspirational role models who have paved the way for her generation.
Motivated by working with the Cape May residents, Ashley decided to pursue her State Tested Nursing Assistant certification through attending night classes at Southern State in Hillsboro. Although it is challenging to work and to attend class after the regular school day is finished, Ashley feels the effort will pay off in the future.
Ashley’s school activities include the leadership positions of Buckeye Girls State Delegate, East Clinton FFA President, New Antioch Hustlers 4-H Club Treasurer, East Clinton FFA Reporter and Vice President Chair and New Antioch Hustlers 4-H Club Secretary.
Tickets for the 2019 Outstanding Women of Clinton County luncheon — set for 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 2 — are $25 (cash or check accepted, payable to “OWCC”). Reservations can be made at the Wilmington News Journal, 761 S. Nelson Ave., Wilmington, OH 45177. The News Journal’s office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
If you have any questions, please call 937-382-2574. Reservations will be accepted through Thursday, Feb. 28.
The event is sponsored by the Wilmington News Journal, with generous support from Clinton Memorial Hospital, Peoples Bank, Abbott Image Solutions, Wilmington Savings Bank and Wilmington College.
