Highland County students among 2025 Foundation for Appalachian Ohio scholarship recipients
The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) and the Highland County Community Fund have awarded more than $700,000 in donor-established postsecondary scholarships to students across the 32-county region, including two students from Highland County.
Stevie Ford of Greenfield received the AK Steel Foundation Scholarship, supporting students pursuing studies in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields, with particular emphasis on metallurgy. Ford, a 2025 McClain High School graduate, plans to attend Marietta College.
Emma Yochum of Hillsboro received the Bob Evans and Wayne F. White Legacy Scholarship, honoring the legacy and commitment these two friends had to the Appalachian Ohio region. Yochum, a 2025 Hillsboro High School graduate, plans to attend Oklahoma State University.
FAO partners with donors, an advisory committee of volunteers and its affiliate foundations, including the Highland County Community Fund, to award scholarships to students across the 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio through a competitive application process.
To date this year, FAO has awarded more than 600 postsecondary scholarships to more than 300 students across 26 counties thanks to gifts from residents and friends of Appalachian Ohio who recognize the role education plays in ensuring the region’s people and communities can flourish.
A 501(c)(3) public charity, FAO is a regional community foundation serving the 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio. In partnership with 14 geographic affiliate foundations and the regionwide African American Community Fund, FAO works to unleash the collective potential within Appalachian Ohio by encouraging and supporting philanthropy. FAO’s geographic affiliate partners serve the Nelsonville area and Gallia, Guernsey, Harrison, Highland, Hocking, Jackson, Lawrence, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Perry and Vinton counties.
For information on how you can support educational opportunities and help students in Appalachian Ohio pursue their dreams, visit www.AppalachianOhio.org, email info@ffao.org or call (740) 753-1111.
The Highland County Community Fund was established to ensure permanent support for the communities of Highland County and all those who call Highland home. A local foundation affiliate of the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, the Highland County Community Fund works to inspire philanthropy. To learn more, visit www.AppalachianOhio.org/Highland.
The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, a 501(c)(3) public charity, is a regional community foundation serving the 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio. In partnership with 15 affiliate foundations, FAO works to unleash the collective potential within Appalachian Ohio by encouraging and supporting philanthropy. For more information, visit www.AppalachianOhio.org and follow FAO on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.