Three Cheers for Six Nears

Chamber Foundation scholarship gives Westerville grads a boost

For 15 years, the Jim Near Scholarship has helped Westerville high school graduates clear a path to college.

The $1,500 scholarships are awarded each year by the Westerville Area Chamber Foundation, a charitable arm of the Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce.

The award’s namesake was a Westerville resident and chairman and CEO of Wendy’s International known for his charitable contributions to the community.

The six high school seniors, two from each school, who will receive this year’s scholarships are:

Daniel Donovan, Westerville North High School, Cornell University

Renee Geiger, Westerville North High School, Columbus State Community College

Rachel Kerr, Westerville Central High School, Otterbein University

Rachel Kreider, Westerville South High School, The Ohio State University

Aryan Moarefdoust, Westerville Central High School, Brigham Young University

Rachel Sylvester, Westerville South High School, college undecided

Students become eligible by completing applications, each of which must include a letter of recommendation from a teacher or school counselor and an essay describing the student’s goals, strengths and community activities, as well as their reasons for deserving the scholarship. The foundation selects students based on extracurricular activities, community involvement and financial need.

“We’ve helped many (students) who normally wouldn’t quality for scholarships,” says Mark Ginty of the Chamber Foundation.

Funding comes from Chamber benefit events like the Westerville Community Bowl-a-thon.

Garth Bishop is editor of Westerville Magazine. Feedback welcome at gbishop@pubgroupltd.com.

By Tyler Davis