The scholarship provides assistance to dependent children of members of Columbus Division of Fire.

This scholarship was established to benefit graduating seniors of Upper Arlington High School who are members of the varsity or junior varsity Ice Hockey team.

The scholarship was established by a gift from the estate of George and Florence McGhee. George Crookham McGhee and Florence Marie Hinson were married in Pickaway County, Ohio on August 9, 1930. At that time, the country was in its worst economic depression, and combined their possessions totaled about $1,000. George was a teacher, farmer, and insurance man, and Florence was a teacher. Through their hard work, they changed their economic position to a degree that allowed them to create this generous scholarship. From their perspective as farmers, Mr. and Mrs. McGhee were greatly affected by the way the government’s decisions were negatively affecting members of the farming community. To that end, they chose to support students working for a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics, to develop talent and knowledge in an effort to improve the economic and social status of American farmers; and hopefully to one day produce a future U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.

Gail was a long-time resident of Chillicothe. She taught for many years at Chillicothe High School. She along with her husband, Bob, founded the Eastern Avenue Lumber Company in 1946. Gail was active in many organizations in the community including the Eastern Star, Rainbow for Girls, Trinity United Methodist Church among many others. The scholarship is being given by her nephew, Everett Gallagher, a 1979 graduate and valedictorian of Chillicothe High School.

The family of James and Jean McConnell established this scholarship to honor their memory and as a tribute to their enduring commitment to education. As a 1949 graduate of The Ohio State College of Dentistry, James McConnell practiced for 41 years. After retirement, he was appointed to the adjunct faculty of the Ohio State College of Dentistry and served as Clinic Director of the Children’s Dental Clinic of Coshocton County for several years.

The Marian and Wayne Sinsel Fund was established by Marian Sinsel to honor her late husband Wayne. From childhood, Marian was hearing impaired, and understood the importance of quality and affordable services to those with hearing loss, and is designed NOT to displace state or federal funding. Marian Sinsel was born August 17, 1920 and graduated from Steubenville High School in 1938. Marian and Wayne Sinsel owned a Western Auto Association Store in Logan, Ohio, later changed to Sinsel’s Craft Place.

The Jacobs Family established this scholarship as a means to help students fund their education when traditional sources of such funding, including, but not limited to, family, government and other scholarship opportunities have been exhausted. This scholarship is meant to be the “game changer” for those students who have limited options to achieve their desired goals and would likely not have the opportunity to pursue their educational goals if not for this scholarship.

Bud and Billie Eubanks, of modest means living in Leesville, SC, had one major goal in their lives, that their three children would be able to go to college and have the opportunity to better themselves through education. Due to their perseverance and hard work, all three of their children went to college and have been very successful in business because of their college educations. This scholarship honors them by supporting a student who would not otherwise have the means to attend college.

Buckeye Automotive Family Foundation believes in the power of education and its ability to change lives for the better, helping build upon our mission of Building Better Families and Raising Amazing Children. The Driven to Grow Scholarship is designed to enable our team members and their families to pursue their goals through education.

The scholarship is in memory of James A. "Herk" Soteriades. Mr. Soteriades served the Whitehall Fire Department and the City of Whitehall for 50 years.