Student United Way Awards $25,000 to Support Local Youth

Throughout the 2024-2025 school year, 27 juniors and seniors from seven area schools came together each month as part of Student United Way. With a shared mission to enhance youth mental health and tackle issues such as substance misuse, hunger, and personal hygiene, the student-led committee recently awarded $25,000 in Youth Allocations grants to six local organizations. These funds will 

directly benefit students in their schools over the summer and into the next academic year.

As part of their journey, the students gained firsthand insight into the community’s human service needs. They developed their own funding criteria, reviewed grant applications, and listened to live presentations. This mirrors the process used by United Way’s Allocations Committee.

United Way of Logan County extends its gratitude to advisors Derek Robb, Chad Wilkinson, Bethany Watts, Ben Stahler, and Lexi Roby for their guidance and support throughout the program.

The students’ decision-making process was shaped by a year of hands-on learning and discussions within United Way’s leadership development program. Their experience began with a poverty simulation, providing a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by low-income individuals. A visit to the Logan County History Center offered perspective on the county's past and future. Additionally, Richwood Bank hosted a Corporate Giving panel discussion featuring representatives from Honda, WPKO, Marker, Richwood Bank, and the Logan County Chamber.

Through these experiences, Student United Way participants not only made a tangible impact on their community but also developed leadership skills that will serve them well into the future.

2024 Student United Way Students:
Bellefontaine:

• Ava Campbell, Senior

• Nolan Core, Senior

• Maci Flesher, Junior

• Jaslene Maier, Junior

Benjamin Logan:

• Carter Lyden, Senior

• Kate Gulick, Senior

• Ashton Whitt, Junior

• Hadley Boysel, Junior

Calvary Christian School:

• Allena Miller, Junior

• Lincoln Roell, Junior

• Nora Thornton, Senior

• Ezekiel Wylie, Senior

Indian Lake:

• Ava Faler, Senior

• Daniel Wahl, Senior

• Cooper Hall, Junior

• Lilly Wickline, Junior

Ohio Hi-Point:

• Laila Lynch, Senior

• Paige McComas, Junior

• Lilian Weese, Junior

Riverside:

• Brice Kauffman, Senior

• Avery Perk, Senior

• Grady Jenkins, Junior

• Zoey Ransbottom, Junior

West Liberty-Salem:

• Kaylee Blair, Junior

• Dylan King, Junior

• Craig Stanford, Senior

• Akira Whitman, Senior

The 2025 Grant Recipients:

• Bellefontaine High School – Chieftain Pride Lab Program – $3,500 for food for an after-school program for at-risk students.

• Greater Riverside Area Community Encouragers – $2,000 for a weekly summer food program in DeGraff.

• Indian Lake High School SADD – $1,000 for a speaker at an all-school assembly to kick off their annual Red Ribbon (anti-drugs) week.

• Logan County Board of Developmental Disabilities – $6,500 for a program that focuses on healthy relationships, community engagement, employment skills, and overall life skills youth will need in adulthood.

• Midwest Regional ESC – $9,000 to conduct the Summer Autism Academy.

• West Liberty-Salem Elementary – $3,000 for their all-school Literacy Night/Week.

Student Reflections on the Program: “It was amazing and interesting to see how a small community like ours rallies around each other for different things.” – Ava Campbell, Bellefontaine High School

“It was amazing to be in the background and make a difference—to see the individuals in our community who put in the work every day to improve the lives of so many.” – Nora Thornton, Calvary Christian School

“The most eye-opening experience for me was helping with the Thanksgiving Second Harvest Food Bank distribution at the Logan County Fairgrounds. I will never forget seeing the need for food right around us and realizing that food insecurity is such a big issue in Logan County.” – Craig Stanford, West Liberty-Salem