Hillsboro’s Evan Fender receives Franklin B. Walter All-Scholastic Award
Pictured (l-r) are Hillsboro City Schools superintendent Tim Davis, Franklin B. Walter All-Scholastic Award recipient Evan Fender, Alice Fender and Deon Fender. (Submitted photo)
On Tuesday, April 18, the Ohio Educational Service Center Association (OESCA) recognized Ohio’s top students from across the state during the 34th Annual Franklin B. Walter All-Scholastic Awards Program, held at the Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center in Lewis Center, following the OESCA’s annual spring meeting.
The awards program, named in honor of Ohio’s 31st State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Franklin B. Walter, was established in 1989 by OESCA to promote and recognize outstanding student leaders for their academic achievement and service to their schools and communities. One senior from each county in Ohio was eligible to receive this annual honor.
Southern Ohio Educational Service Center selected four senior high school students from Adams, Clinton, Fayette and Highland counties for their academic success and school and community service. Students were selected based on their school grades; test scores; activities; an essay detailing their short-term and long-term goals, both academically or professionally and personally; and a letter of recommendation from an educator or individual who positively impacted their lives.
Evan Fender was selected as the Highland County recipient. Fender will be graduating from Hillsboro High School and plans to attend Wright State University and major in mechanical engineering.
Mr. Fender wrote: “When I was in sixth grade, I was given the unique opportunity to join the Hillsboro VEX Robotics team. I instantly fell in love with engineering. I have always loved to build stuff with my hands, and after joining the team engineering seemed like just a natural fit. And I have continued this passion throughout my high school career.
“After I obtain my degree in mechanical engineering my dream is to get an internship at NASA or Wright Patterson Air Force Base and eventually end up working there. With these jobs, I would be directly involved in the design and testing of the products as well as overseeing and involved in the manufacturing process of these planes and rockets. The opportunity to work at these dream jobs and be able to stay close to home is something that I am determined to try to obtain.”
SOESC Superintendent Ms. Beth Justice said, “Mr. Fender truly represents the best of the best in the region, and I want to congratulate him on his many accomplishments. On behalf of SOESC, we thank you for being a leader for our future and wish you the very best.”
Southern Ohio Educational Service Center provides specialized academic and support services to 12 school districts in Adams, Clinton, Fayette and Highland counties. Districts receive services from school improvement consultants, gifted and special education consultants, speech pathologists, psychologists and special education teachers.