By Linda Stepp
Thanks to the generosity of so many Jefferson Alumni and family members and to the vision of Ron Lykins and his late wife, Ruth, since 2003, the Jefferson alumni has awarded 171 scholarships to graduating seniors. On May 25, 17 $1,000 scholarships were presented. Two new scholarships were added in 2024 – the Heinz Phipps Memorial Scholarship and the May Family Scholarship.
The Heinz Phipps Memorial Scholarship is in memory of Heinz who was a 1969 graduate, starter on the basketball team, and an air force veteran. As a young adult, Heinz lost his life in a timber accident. This scholarship is funded by his brother Corbett & wife Carol.
The scholarship was awarded to Josephine Traver a graduate of Craft Academy for Excellence in Science and Mathematics. Josie was a member of the Servant Leaders, Student Y Club, Ambassadorship Program, and Morehead Theater Guild. She presented her research on the accuracy of labeling nicotine levels in e-cigarettes at 3 conferences. She has a 4.00 GPA and 28 on the ACT. She plans to attend the University of Rochester in chemical engineering. ]Josie is the great-granddaughter of the late June Newman Hazelbaker ’43 and Carl Hazelbaker ’44 and granddaughter of the late James V. Hazelbaker ’67.
The May Family Scholarship is given in memory and honor of Orvy D. May and Jessie McHenry May and the 11 siblings of Jeff May. Orvy & Jessie were JHS graduates and all 12 of their children attended Jefferson. This scholarship is funded by Jeff May class of 1969 and was awarded to Hunter Grooms a North Adams High School graduate who participated in College Credit Plus by taking courses from Southern State Community College. She was in National Honor Society and BETA, played varsity soccer and ran track and cross country and works part-time at Kroger. She graduated in the top 10 and plans to attend Northern Kentucky University in exercise science and become an occupational therapist. She is the great-great granddaughter of the late Claude Colvin ’26, great granddaughter of the late Anna Lou Branham ’46, and granddaughter of the late Rita Branham Grooms ’70, and Gary Grooms ’67.
In 2022, Phil and Tom Brown began funding two scholarships in memory of their late brother, David Brown. David was a 1967 graduate and a gifted athlete. David lost his life in a tragic logging accident.
The two recipients of the David Brown Memorial Scholarships in 2024 were:
Carson Brinker is a graduate of West Union High School where he took courses from Southern State Community College through the College Credit Plus program. He was in National Honor Society, on student council and senior class president. He founded the Future Engineers Society at West Union High School. He works part-time at Frisch’s. Carson plans to attend Wright State University to study mechanical engineering. Beginning in 7th grade, his grandmother, Patsy Andes Brinker ’66, began prompting him to apply.
Drew Kennedy is a graduate of Manchester High School and took courses from Southern State Community College through the College Credit Plus program. While in high school he was in Beta and the National Honor Society. Drew played golf, basketball and baseball. He plans to attend Shawnee State University to become a teacher. Drew is the grandson of Velma Abbott Potts ’66.
One Jefferson Alumni Scholarship was awarded in 2024 thanks to the generous donations of Alumni members, their families and friends. The recipient was Andrew Freeman who was homeschooled and took courses from Shawnee State University through the College Credit Plus program for two years. He was a 4-H member and helped with upkeep of public property and is a guitarist in local churches. He works a part-time job. Andrew plans to attend Shawnee State University to pursue a degree in computer science. He is the great-grandson of the late Audrey Grooms Knauff ’31 and grandson of Deloris Knauff Freeman ’64.
Beginning in 2003, Ron Lykins has awarded scholarships. The first were $250 in memory of teachers Don & Flo Armstrong and then he added the Branham Scholarship and then the Ron & Ruth Lykins Scholarships, one for a male and one for a female.
This year, Ron designated the female Ron & Ruth Lykins Scholarship be given in memory of Suzanne May Branham. Susie was a 1955 graduate, an avid sports fan and retired after 25 years at Mercy Hospital.
The female Ron & Ruth Lykins Scholarship was awarded to Gracelyn Spires a graduate of West Union High School who took courses from Shawnee State University through the College Credit Plus program. She was in Beta and on the academic team and student council. She maintained a 4.00 GPA while working part-time jobs. Gracelyn plans to attend Miami University majoring in secondary education. She is the granddaughter of Phyllis Stepp Spires ’68.
The male Ron & Ruth Lykins Scholarship was awarded to Jacob Citino a graduate of Dublin Coffman High School where he took rigorous honors and advanced placement courses earning him membership in the National Honor Society. He found time to play lacrosse, take ceramics, gourmet cooking and be in the pickleball club. He has worked as a lifeguard since he was 15 and been on three family mission trips. Jake plans to attend The Ohio State University and major in business. He is the grandson of Ron Lykins ’59.
Ron also funds the Dr. James & Suzanne May Branham Scholarship annually in memory of Buddy & Susie May Branham. The scholarship was awarded to Brandt Seaman a graduate of West Union High School where he was on the golf team, FFA judging team, student council, academic team, Beta and the National Honor Society. He was active in the performing arts and music program as well as 4-H while working part-time at Sunset Bowl and doing lawn mowing. He has a 4.00 GPA and a 31 ACT super score. Brandt plans to attend Ohio University majoring in chemical engineering. Brandt is the great-grandson of the late Chester Miranda ’36, and Jessie Hodge Miranda ’39, and the grandson of George Miranda ’72 and Gayla McDaniel Miranda ’73.
At Susie’s death, her family designated the Alumni Scholarship program for donations in lieu of flowers and Susie’s family and friends donated enough to award a 2nd Branham Scholarship. We thank Susie’s daughters, Cathy Uhl & Tammy Shults for memorializing their mother with a scholarship. The Dr. James & Suzanne Branham Scholarship funded by contributions from Susie’s family and friends was awarded to Evan Little a graduate of Eastern Brown High School where he was an active in marching band, pep band, jazz band and concert band. He maintained a 3.90 GPA and is ranked in the top 5 of his class and has a 27 on the ACT. He provided instruction to band students in the percussion section. Evan plans to attend Ohio University in the Scripps College of Communication to major in Music Production & Audio Recording. He is the great-grandson of the late Willa Jean Knauff Little ’45 and grandson of John Little ’67 and Linda Grooms Little ’69.
This year eight Don & Flo Armstrong Memorial Scholarships were awarded. The first two are funded by Ron Lykins and the remaining 6 are funded by Armstrong family members.
The recipients were:
Noah Williams is a Portsmouth West High School graduate who took courses at Shawnee State University. He has performed in every school musical and earned the leading role three times. He has taken private guitar lessons and been in marching band and chamber choir. He was drum major his senior year. He graduated in the top 10 of his class. He plans to attend Otterbein University to pursue a degree in fine arts focusing on musical theater. Noah is the grandson of Patsy Hodge Hall ’59.
Constaleena Blanton is a graduate of West Union High School who earned credits from Southern State College through College Credit Plus. She played multiple sports including cross country, volleyball, track, wrestling and soccer. She is in the top 10 in her class with a 30 ACT Super Score. She works part-time at a design shop. She plans to major in business finance with a minor in art and will attend either Ohio University or The Ohio State University. Constaleena is the granddaughter of Brenda Spires Blanton ’71.
Logan Shupert is a North Adams High School graduate who also earned 60 hours college credit through College Credit Plus from Southern State College. He was in National Honor Society and BETA. He was active in FFA on the soil and livestock judging teams placing at the state level and played baseball for four years. Logan plans to attend The Ohio State University to pursue a degree in Sustainable Plant Systems with a specialization in Agronomy. He is the great-grandson of the late Thomas Hazelbaker ’32.
Season Schultz is a graduate of Peebles High School and was a cheerleader. She said high school wasn’t always an easy road and after her freshman year she focused more on her grades to improve her GPA. She plans to attend Southern State Community College to obtain an Associate’s degree and then transfer to Shawnee State University and be accepted in the Radiologic Technology Program. Season is the great-granddaughter of the late William Ogden ’39.
Aaralyn Abbott a graduate of West Union High School. She was a cheerleader and in 4-H for 10 years. She volunteered at the Adams County Humane Society and works part-time at Special Touch Homecare. She considered a four-year college, but researched and chose a short-term practical program. Aaralyn plans to attend the Scioto County Career & Technical Center to obtain certification as a Surgery Tech. She is the great-great granddaughter of the late Bessie Hawkins Dunkin ’31, the great-granddaughter of the late Richard Dunkin ’54 and the granddaughter of Terry Abbott ’72 and Teresa Williamson Abbott ’72.
Korynne Blanton a graduate of West Union High School who earned college credit from Southern State Community College through College Credit Plus. She was in Beta and the National Honor Society as well as Student Council and the Academic Team. She played golf and volleyball and was a varsity cheerleader. She worked in her family’s restaurant and now works at Frisch’s and ranked in the top 5 in her class. Korynne plans to attend West Virginia University and study nursing. She is the granddaughter of Brenda Spires Blanton ’71.
Elayna Kingsolver a graduate of West Union High School who took courses from Southern State Community College through College Credit Plus. She was a cheerleader and played volleyball 4 years and golf for two years. She was in Beta and the National Honor Society. She was active in 4-H and her church Youth & Bible Quiz groups. Having a foster child live with her family inspired her to pursue a degree in psychology either at NKU, Ohio University or Shawnee State University. Elayna is the granddaughter of Sam Shiveley ’64.
Adriana Heninger is a graduate of Wilmington High School who chose Laurel Oaks Career Center for her junior and senior years. While at Wilmington High School she was in the choir and competed in the Ohio Music Education Association contest as a soloist and received a 1 rating. At Laurel Oaks she became certified in first aid, CPR, and other courses required by the Early Childhood Program. She volunteers at the Clinton County Early Childhood Center in the infant room and at her church. Adriana works part-time in a fast food restaurant. She plans to go to Wright State University in education to become an Intervention Specialist. She is the great-granddaughter of the late Phyllis Keiber Terrell ’63.
If you would like to contribute to the Jefferson Alumni Scholarship fund in memory of or to hono someone and to help continue this worthy program, please send donations to Linda Stepp, Secretary/Treasurer, at 13370 state Route 136, Winchester, Ohio 45697.
