Graduating seniors in Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative area chosen for scholarships

The Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative has named the winners of this year's Scholarship Contest, offered annually to co-op members’ children who are graduating high school seniors and reside in a home served by Holmes-Wayne Electric.

The cooperative has distributed more than $300,000 in scholarships within the community since its establishment.

Judges for the two-day virtual competition were Dale Sidle, Craig Hershberger and Melinda Eliot.

Ella Saal of Northwestern High School is the first-place winner of $3,000. Saal was a part of a group of 35 students representing eight high schools who competed for a total of $20,200 in scholarships this year.

Saal is the daughter of Mark and Carolyn Saal of West Salem. She will attend The Ohio State University majoring in animal science, agriculture education and community food systems.

Other winners are:

• Cole Walenciak — second place ($2,800). Walenciak is son of Clinton and Deanna Walenciak of Wooster. A senior at Wooster High School, he will major in business and economics with a goal to be commissioned as a United States military officer.
• Chloe Patten — third place ($2,500). Patten is the daughter of Billy and Joy Patten of Millersburg. She will graduate from West Holmes High School. This fall she will attend Ohio University, majoring in nursing.
• Brannon Nickles — fourth place ($2,000). Nickles is the son of Anthony and Stephanie Nickles of Millersburg. After graduating from West Holmes High School, he will attend the University of South Florida majoring in finance.
• Tristan Miller — fifth place ($1,900). Miller is the son of Patrick and Julie Miller of Burbank. A senior at Northwestern High School, he will attend the University of Cincinnati, majoring in aviation technology.
• Luke Walton — sixth place ($1,800). Walton is the son of Dave and Jen Walton of West Salem. Graduating from Northwestern High School, he will major in accounting at Mount Vernon Nazarene University.
• Maria James — seventh place ($1,700). James is the daughter of Scott and Anjanette James of Wooster. She is a senior at Triway High School and will pursue a degree in graphic design at Akron University – Wayne College.
• Alex Yoder — eighth place ($1,600). Yoder is the son of Craig and Julie Yoder of Sugarcreek. A senior at Hiland High School, he will attend Ohio Northern University and major in finance and accounting.
• Taylor Olszewski — ninth place ($1,500). Olszewski is the daughter of Josh and Kristin Olszewski of Burbank.  A senior at Norwayne High School, she is pursuing a degree in nursing at Grace College.
• Logan Garman — 10th place ($1,400). Garman is the son of Scott and Georgia Garman of West Salem. A senior at Northwestern High School, he will major in education and history at Muskingum University.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Graduating seniors in Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative area chosen for scholarships