Three area organizations – the Anthony Wayne Area Rotary Club, the Anthony Wayne Area Democratic Club and the Waterville Community Foundation – awarded scholarships to area seniors in May.
Anthony Wayne Area Rotary Club
The 98-year-old Waterville Rotary Club is now the Anthony Wayne Area Rotary Club, in recognition of its service throughout the area. High school students get involved through the Interact Club, which provides opportunities for following the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self.”
Four students were selected for scholarships this year. Katherine Cardenas plans to attend the University of Michigan to study biology. Grant Hubley is headed to Ohio University to study political science and pre-law. Ella Kosinski is attending The Ohio State University to major in dance and exercise science. And Lydia Smucker will major in biochemisry at the University of Detroit, Mercy.
ROTARY
Anthony Wayne Area Democratic Club
Grant Hubley was chosen as the recipient of the Anthony Wayne Area Democratic Club scholarship, after submitting an essay on political courage.
In his essay, Grant explained how he was on a student panel in March 2025, making a presentation, when an adult attendee stood up and shouted at him, accusing him of being wrong.
“In that moment, I faced a choice. I could react defensively and escalate the situation, or I could model the democratic principles I value: respect, healthy and productive dialogue, and a willingness to change,” he wrote. “I chose composure.”
Afterwards, Grant spoke with the man about the reasons behind his comments, and learned that his frustration was not personal, but rather because of his own challenges in making needed reforms.
“Listening to him broadened my understanding. While I maintained my positions, I learned how much persistence and passion are needed to succeed with policy change,” Grant wrote. “The conversation changed no policy. Instead, it changed the adults in the room’s foundational beliefs: democracy functions when disagreement leads to conversation rather than division, especially with young people. Respect transformed confrontation into dialogue.
“Political courage is not always casting a dramatic vote; sometimes it is standing firm in your convictions while treating opponents with dignity. This is what continues to instill public trust in our institutions for generations to come.”
Grant has served in national and state levels of Family, Community and Career Leaders of America (FCCLA) leadership, is on student council and a member of the Interact Club and Environmental Awareness Club. He plans to major in political science and pre-law at Ohio University, with a goal of working in Washington DC.
Waterville Community Foundation
The Waterville Community Foundation awarded the Katherine R. Smith Scholarship to nine area seniors. Founded 25 years ago, the foundation supports numerous community projects, but the Katherine R. Smith funds are focused on helping children – including scholarships for graduating seniors.
The recipients who were able to attend shared some of the highlights of community service projects they have enjoyed over the years.
• Nathan Barasch, an Anthony Wayne High School graduate, is heading to Ohio Northern University to study engineering and join the swim team. His goal is to become a design engineer in the automotive industry. One of his favorite projects over the years has been the Halloween food drive, in which students collect canned and boxed foods for those in need.
•Abigail Beier, a Notre Dame Academy graduate, will study operations management at Indiana University-Bloomington.
•Liam Close, a Toledo Technology Academy graduate, plans to study civil engineering at the University of Toledo. During high school he designed and built sets and did lighting and sound for community theater organizations. He recently spent a semester as an intern at the Lucas County Engineer’s Office.
•Ella Hertzfeld, a St. Ursula Academy graduate, is headed to the University of Dayton to major in biology for a pre-med track. Ella volunteers with Toledo Victory Center, helping with events. As a student council, she has also hosted fundraisers for cancer research.
•Colleen Hildebrand, an Anthony Wayne High School graduate, will study biomedical engineering at Miami University with a pre-med track. As a member of Interact Club, one of her favorite programs to support is Let’s Build Beds. Through DECA, she created a marketing campaign on the nonprofit that provides beds for children.
•Grant Hubley, an Anthony Wayne High School graduate, is headed to Ohio University to study political science/pre-law, with the goal of being elected to office or to get involved in Washington, D.C. Through FCCLA, Grant said his favorite community service project was working with Waterville Primary School students to write holiday letters to residents of StoryPoint Senior Living Community.
•Arjun Jayaraman, an Anthony Wayne High School graduate, plans to study mechanical engineering or business at the University of California at Berkley.
•Madeline Johnston, an Anthony Wayne High School graduate, plans to study business administration and international business at The Ohio State University. As a member of Youth Leadership Toledo, Madeline has been involved in numerous community service projects.
•AJ Rea, an Anthony Wayne High School graduate, plans to study communication design at Miami University. His favorite community service project was building and distributing beds to children in need through Let’s Build Beds.
