Fourteen Scholarships Awarded at Jefferson Alumni

By Linda Stepp

Thanks to the generosity of Ron Lykins and his late wife, Ruth, and with contributions from many Jefferson Alumni members or their families, 71 scholarships have been awarded to graduating seniors since 2003.

For 2015, 14 $500 scholarships were awarded, which included two Jefferson Alumni Scholarships, one Dr. James and Suzanne Branham Scholarship, and 11 Don and Flo Armstrong Memorial Scholarships.

The photo of the recipients at the Jefferson Alumni inside the Jefferson Community Center includes, seated left to right: Bonnie Hawkins accepting on behalf of Branden Neary, Ashley Ross, Jessica Boldman, Taylor Raye Martin, Lexie Doddridge and Alexis Hanes; standing left to right are Neil Shivener, III, Zach Daniels, Ryan K.C. Grooms, Tim Daniel, accepting on behalf of Brandon Daniel, Kyle Taylor, Matthew Lewis and Trenton Price.

The recipients are also pictured near the newly erected Jefferson School Bell that was recently restored and relocated to the former site of Jefferson High School through the efforts of the Jefferson Township Trustees, the Jefferson Community Center Committee, and with labor and equipment donated by Lawrence Shivener.

The two Jefferson Alumni Scholarships funded by contributions from Jefferson Alumni members or their family members were awarded to Brandon Daniel and Alexis “Lexie” Doddridge.

Brandon Daniel graduated from West Union High School in the top 10 while also attending classes at Southern State Community College. He plans to continue at Southern State in Wilmington to pursue an associate’s of applied science degree in engineering, aviation maintenance and an airframe and power plant license. Brandon is the grandson of Tim Daniel and Carol Breeden Daniel (class of 1967), who has served as Secretary/Treasurer of the Alumni.

Alexis “Lexie” Doddridge is a graduate of Valley High School, where she was the starting point guard in basketball. Lexie will attend Cincinnati Christian University to play basketball at this NAIA Division II school. She plans to major in sports management. Lexie is the great-granddaughter of the late Edith Nichols Neary (class of 1928) and the granddaughter of Eloise Branham Doddridge (class of 1949), who has served the Alumni in various capacities over the years.

The 2015 recipient of the Dr. James and Suzanne Branham Scholarship, funded by Ron Lykins in memory of Coach Branham and in honor of Susie, was Jessica Boldman. Jessica is a graduate of West Union High School, where she took dual credit classes and was valedictorian. She played basketball all four years and was named to the McDonald’s Classic All-Tourney team as a senior. Jessica will be attending Shawnee State University and is considering a major in business or technology. She is the granddaughter of Cindy Ross Boldman (class of 1972) and William Boldman (class of 1963).

The 11 Don and Flo Armstrong Memorial Scholarships were funded by Ron Lykins and Armstrong family members. The recipients are: Zach Daniel, Ryan K.C. Grooms, Alexis Hanes, Matthew Lewis, Annika Lykins, Taylor Martin, Branden Neary, Trenton Price, Ashley Ross, Neil Shivener, III, and Kyle Taylor.

Zach Daniel graduated from West Union High School and also completed the Information Systems Technology program at the Ohio Valley Career & Technical Center earning the Microsoft Technology Associate Certification. Zach plans to enroll at Shawnee State University in the technology field. He is the grandson of Shirley Grooms Stapleton (class of 1967).

Ryan K.C. Grooms graduated from North Adams High School as well as earning an Associate of Science from Southern State Community College. Ryan was lead attorney for the North Adams Mock Trial Team. Volunteering at the Adams County Manor has influenced his plans to attend The Ohio State University to pursue a career in Occupational and Physical Therapy. Ryan is the grandson of Don Grooms and Brenda Wheeler Grooms (class of 1964).

Alexis Hanes graduated from West Union High School and completed the Health Career Technology program at the Ohio Valley Career & Technical Center where she earned her STNA license. She plans to attend Shawnee State University to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant. Alexis is the granddaughter of Charlotte Easterling Parks (class of 1969) and Steve Parks (class of 1967).

Matthew Lewis is a graduate of West Union High School and completed the Ag Business program at the Ohio Valley Career & Technical Center where he earned his State FFA Degree. He is enrolled in the Truck Driving Academy at Southern State Community College to obtain a CDL license as well as the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning program. Matthew is the grandson of the late George Lewis (class of 1945) and the great grandson of G. Paul Lewis who taught at Jefferson.

Annika Lykins is a graduate of Miamisburg High School where she earned a letter in tennis and completed numerous Honors classes and 5 Advanced Placement classes while volunteering and working part-time. Annika will be attending Wright State University to major in Early Childhood Education. She is the granddaughter of Kenneth Lykins (class of 1959).

Taylor Raye Martin is a graduate of West Union High School where she played volleyball and was captain of the basketball team. She will be attending the University of Cincinnati Clermont campus and will be playing basketball and volleyball while pursuing a degree in either the medical or agricultural field. Taylor is the granddaughter of the late Charles Ray Martin (class of 1951) and her great-great-aunt was Cora Ethel Martin who taught at Jefferson for many years.

Branden Neary graduated from Rangeview High School in Aurora, Colorado, where he completed a rigorous curriculum earning a weighted GPA of 4.365 and was in the top 20 in a class of 526. Branden’s high school career was interrupted due to a serious accident, but he overcame that obstacle with a positive attitude and hard work to make up the classes to stay on track to graduate. He plans to attend the Colorado School of Mines to become an engineer. Branden is the grandson of Edwin Neary (class of 1962) and the great-grandson of the late Edith Nichols Neary (class of 1928).

Trenton Price graduated from West Union High School where he participated in several sports, but excelled in basketball earning All district and All Ohio Honorable Mention his senior year. Trenton plans to attend Shawnee State University to pursue a degree in Environmental Engineering. Trenton is the grandson of the late Joyce Abbott Price (class of 1969).

Ashley Ross is a graduate of West Union High School where she participated in soccer, basketball, softball, and Beta Club. Ashley plans to enroll at Shawnee State University and then transfer to either Marshall or Ohio University where she can obtain a degree in Dietetics. She is the granddaughter of Michael Grooms and Judy Armstrong Grooms (class of 1964) and the great-granddaughter of the late Don Armstrong (class of 1928) and the late Flo Caraway Armstrong (class of 1933).

Neil Shivener, III is a graduate of West Union High School where he was a Beta Club member and in FFA. Senior Seminar helped him consider college and navigate the admissions process. Neil has been accepted and plans to attend Northern Kentucky University. He is the grandson of Carmen Miranda Shivener and Neil Shivener, Sr. (class of 1970).

Kyle Taylor graduated from West Union High School where he was involved in FFA as well as band and choir. He also played golf and baseball, excelling as a pitcher by breaking the record for most strikeouts and earning all-league. Kyle plans to attend the University of Cincinnati Clermont campus to study the field of engineering. He is the grandson of John Taylor (class of 1969).

If you would like to contribute to the Jefferson Alumni Scholarship Fund, send a check to Teresa Lewis, Treasurer at, 113 Anderson Hill Road, Blue Creek, Ohio 45616. If you wish the donation to be in memory of or in honor of someone, please note that.