Each year, Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative offers high school seniors whose parents or guardians are LMRE members the opportunity to vie for a college scholarship.
Candidates submit an application, and finalists in the boys’ and girls’ divisions are interviewed by an independent panel of judges. The judges base their scores on the students’ poise, community and school involvement, academics, personality, and cooperative knowledge. The $3,000 scholarship recipients were eligible to earn up to an additional $3,400 scholarship from the statewide electric cooperative competition in April.

1st place winners

Brandon Heath, 17, of Black River High is the son of Jeff and Candy Heath of Sullivan. He is a member of the National Honor Society (NHS), band, and FFA, plus he played on the school basketball and football teams. He is a member of the Northern Ashland County Conservation Club, JI Case, and LaGrange Engine Club. Active in Boy Scouts, Brandon is an Eagle Scout, assistant scoutmaster, and Senior Patrol Leader Chaplain Aid and has held other leadership positions within the troop. He is a technician at Polen Implement in Elyria. He plans to attend the University of Northwestern Ohio.

Koral Kasnyik, 17, of Keystone High is the daughter of Joe and Joyce Kasnyik of 
LaGrange. She is an NHS member and class vice president, and she was involved in the Academic Challenge team, student council, and the varsity soccer team. She is also active in Girls Scouts, receiving gold, silver, and bronze awards. She is a member of the Keystone choir and band and is a church altar server. She traveled to Europe as a member of the Ohio Youth Soccer Ambassador team and was a captain on the Keystone’s soccer team. She participates in the Senior Giveback Service Program, peer tutoring, Homework Club, Mathletes, and the track and field team. She plans to attend the College of Wooster.

2nd place winners

Jeff Conrad, 18, of Keystone High is the son of Dave and Laurie Conrad of Penfield Township. He is an NHS member and percussion section leader at Keystone. He is a member of 4-H and works on his father’s farm as an equipment specialist. He volunteers with multiple community events, including Wesleyan Retirement Home Christmas parties, Easter and Halloween parties in Penfield Township, and events supporting the Keystone band. He plans to attend the University of Toledo. 

Madison Combs, 17, of Black River High is the daughter of Steve and Peggy Combs of Spencer. She is an NHS member and vice president of Students Against Destructive Decisions, plus she is involved in FCLLA, student council, NASA Young Astronauts Day, and Leadership Academy. She excelled in softball, earning first team honors in the Patriot Athletic Conference, received honorable mention on the All-Northeast Ohio team, and was named to the Ashland County and Medina County Halls of Fame.  She also works at Tadd Spring Co. and plans to attend Cleveland State University.

Touchstone Energy winner

Stephen Ferguson, 18, of Wellington High is the son of David Ferguson of Wellington. He is active in Boy Scout Troop 414 of Wellington, where he is an Eagle Scout, completed the Boy Scout’s National Youth Leadership Training, and has been senior patrol leader and held other leadership positions within the troop. He was named a scholar athlete and Homecoming king. He received the Artistic Silver Key Award and has been the wrestling team captain, Patriot Athletic Conference champion, and district qualifier. He plans to attend  Cleveland State University. The Touchstone Energy Scholarship rewards students who have committed to the pursuit of a college education despite hardships that may have affected them.