Welcome

 

Madison Balsinger is a Centerville High School graduate who will attend the University of Cincinnati to study nursing. Her scholastic activities included National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society and the Dance National Honor Society. Madison is a dancer, and she performed with both a private studio and the high school dance company. This year she served as the high school dance company’s student assistant. Her service work included participation in clubs including Lunch and Chem Buddies; STAND, Welcome Centerville, Diversity Council and Elk Connectors. She participates in the Fairhaven Church student ministry. Her references cite her incredible work ethic, patience and perseverance. Because of Madison’s love and dedication to dance, she is receiving the book titled, Life in Motion: an unlikely ballerina, by Misty Copeland. This is Ms. Copland’s story of adversity and grace.

Christopher Kang is a member of both the National Honor Society and the French National Honor Society. His service projects included Octagon Club and Interact Club. His focus and passion is volunteering for his church where he the translates texts from Korean to English and participates on the clean-up crew. His personal references detail his remarkable work ethic, curiosity and positive outlook on life. Christopher will attend Michigan State University to study human biology with the goal of becoming a doctor. Cutting for Stone, by Abraham Verghese, is the book selected for Christopher. This book is the story of one man’s remarkable life and epic story of power, tenderness and the beauty of healing others, set in Africa and America. 

Chance Koogler was an AP Scholar, an officer in the National Honor Society, the Captain of the Centerville High School Varsity Golf Team, and an Academic All-Ohio State Golfer. His service projects included volunteering at Daybreak, collecting books for the Interact Club book drive, tutoring younger students in German and geometry, and assisting at the Americana Festival. His personal references cite his exemplary leadership style, high moral standards and quiet confidence, all three of which were recognized by the committee during his interview. Chance will attend The Ohio State University to major in software engineering and hopes to find ways to promote peace through computer software. The Checklist Manifesto: how to get things right, by Atul Gawande, is the book selected for Chance. This book describes how the lowly checklist has made it possible for us to make some of the most difficult societal advances from flying airplanes to building complex skyscrapers.

Abigail Magoffin is a Centerville High School graduate who will attend the University of Cincinnati to study social work. Her scholastic activities included National Honor Society, Scholar Athlete and AP Scholar. She volunteered with the school’s Lunch Buddies program, served as co-president of the Interact Club; and assisted with several of the children’s programs at Fairhaven Church. Abby has been employed at the Spring Valley Tree for the past two years. Her references detail her sincere and selfless desire to help others, quiet confidence, determination and tenacity, as well as her generosity and kind manner. Interact Club Advisor Liz Cameron writes: "Abby embodies the Rotary mantra “Service above Self.” Abby took the lead in mobilizing resources and volunteers for the Interact Club’s refugee initiative. With this in mind, Abby is receiving the book titled A Long Way Gone: memoirs of a boy soldier by Ishmael Beah, the story of an orphaned Sierra Leone boy taught to kill by the government army, then rescued by UNICEF and brought to this country for rehabilitation and a chance at a normal life.

Rose Minton will attend Ohio University to study biological sciences. She intends to pursue a degree in physical therapy with plans to become a pediatric physical therapist. Rose was also a member of the National Honor Society, Scholar Athlete, OHSAA Cheerleading State Champion, an Associate Captain of Centerville High School’s Mock Trial program, and a member of the Spanish Honor Society. Her references note Rose’s strong work ethic, leadership skills, and exceptionally positive attitude. Her community service work included serving in all aspects of the children’s department at her church and traveling to Ecuador to assist a local community. Mountains Beyond Mountains: the quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a man who would cure the world, by Tracy Kidder, was the book selected for Rose by the committee.