Self-Reliance Award finalists announced

VW independent/submitted information

Five area senior boys and senior girls have been selected for the 2015 R.K. Thompson Self Reliance Award, according to Breanne Sudduth and Anthony Adams, co-chairpersons of the Van Wert Service Club’s selection committee.

The program provides cash awards to Van Wert County High School seniors who best exhibit the trait of self-reliance. The awards are designed to seek out and honor students who do the best with what they have. This year’s awards banquet will be held Tuesday, April 28.

This year’s boy finalists include Nathaniel Byrne, son of Michelle Byrne; Austin Cunningham, son of Jonathan and Amy Cunningham; Nicholas Krugh, son of Michael and Cindy Krugh; Tyler Ruger, son of Eugene and Tracy Ruger; and Connor Shaffer, son of Neil and Teresa Shaffer.

Byrne is a senior at Lincolnview High School where he is a Senior Class officer and involved in choir, Science Club, Beta Club and Benefit Council. After graduation, he will be attending The Ohio State University majoring in chemical engineering, with a minor in nuclear engineering. He has aspirations of joining the United States Navy after graduating from college. He is currently employed at Cooper Foods.

Cunningham is a senior at Crestview High School where he is Student Body president and involved in FCCLA, FFA and Buckeye Boys State. Cunningham has volunteered for the Relay for Life, Toys for Tots and the Red Cross. After graduation, he plans on pursuing a career in law enforcement through the Police Academy program at Vantage Career Center. He is currently employed at Klosterman’s Pizza and Premier Turf Management.

Krugh is a senior at Van Wert High School where he is Student Body president, while also involved in National Honor Society, track, Service Pack, choir, Beta Club, FCA and was captain of the football team.  After graduation, he plans to attend Ohio Northern University to study biochemistry, with the goal of pursuing a career in orthopedic medicine. He is currently employed at Pizza Hut.

Ruger is a senior at Van Wert High School where he is involved in band, bowling, Beta Club, German Club and National Honor Society.  After graduation, he plans on majoring in actuarial science at The Ohio State University and eventually returning to Van Wert and working at Central Insurance Companies. He is currently employed at Orchard Tree Restaurant.

Shaffer is a senior at Van Wert High School where he is involved in cross country, track, choir and FCA.  He attends First United Methodist Church, where he is involved with the Youth Group, including a mission trip to Chicago.  After graduation, he plans on attending Indiana University-Purdue University at Fort Wayne, Indiana, to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering, while also continuing his love of cross country at the collegiate level. He is currently employed at Main Street Market.

This year’s girl finalists include Brittney Boaz, daughter of Pete and Nichole Boaz; Clarissa Clay, daughter of Brad and Lydia Mendenhall; Riley Jones, daughter of Jon and Ellen Jones; Stephanie Longwell, daughter of Sean Longwell and Julie Beair; and Mackenzie Strite, daughter of Dwight Strite and Stephanie Kleman.

Boaz is a senior at Van Wert High School where she is involved in National Honor Society, Beta Club, and acted in the school play. After graduation, she will be attending Ohio University majoring in social work. She is currently employed at Klosterman’s Pizza.

Clay is a senior at Lincolnview High School where she is involved in the school musical, band, is co-editor of the yearbook, co-captain of the soccer and basketball teams, president of National Honor Society and Student Council treasurer. After graduation, she plans to attend Bluffton University and study public relations. She is currently employed at Vancrest Health Care Center.

Jones is a senior at Van Wert High School where she is involved in volleyball and basketball, Beta Club and National Honor Society. She is also treasurer of her 4-H club.  After graduation, she plans to attend Ohio Northern University to study pharmaceutical business. Jones also attends First United Methodist Church, where she is a Sunday School teacher.

Longwell is a senior at Lincolnview High School where she is involved in band, choir, basketball, softball, Beta Club, Spanish Club, Science Club, National Honor Society and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.  After graduation, she plans on majoring in exercise science at The Ohio State University. She is currently employed at Pizza Hut.

Strite is a senior at Lincolnview High School where she is involved in cheerleading, Spanish Club, Beta Club, FCA, Science Club and Agents of Change. he attends LifeHouse Church, where she is involved with the youth group, including taking a mission trip to Chicago. After graduation, she plans to attend Bowling Green State University to pursue a degree in social work and psychology. She is currently employed at Pizza Hut and Sycamore Ice Cream Shop.