As part of Ohio Community College Month in April, the state's top students have been selected to win scholarships recognizing their academic excellence, leadership and community service.

Lakeland students Josephine Vano, Bradley Gartner and Meghan Laylin have been honored with a place on the All-Ohio Community College Academic Team for 2021. They join 73 students from Ohio's community college system honored with scholarships for their excellence in academics, leadership and community service. A ceremony to recognize this year's award winners was held virtually April 29.

"Ohio's community college students know that our campuses provide a welcoming environment for students to thrive and succeed," said Jack Hershey, president and CEO of the Ohio Association of Community Colleges (OACC). "We are so proud of these students, our best and brightest, for their academic excellence and we look forward to seeing them become leaders in their careers."

These top-performing students were nominated by college faculty, staff and leaders. Students recognized as first-team honorees will receive $1,000 scholarships, while second-team members earn $500 scholarships and third-team members receive $250 to assist students transferring on to universities to complete their bachelor's degree requirements. The All-Ohio Academic Team also includes high-achieving students who are planning to move directly into the workforce.

Vano earned All-Ohio Second Team honors and will receive a transfer scholarship to attend Kent State University, where she plans to major in integrative studies with a focus on American Sign Language, psychology and theater. Gartner was named to the Third Team, and will receive a transfer scholarship to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. Laylin was awarded a workplace scholarship, and after graduating from Lakeland she plans on working as a welding supervisor for Schmidt Engineering and eventually completing the AWS certifications for welding supervisor, welding educator and welding inspector.

The All-Ohio Academic Team program is a collaboration between the OACC, Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society and event sponsor Honda of America Manufacturing, Inc.

Congratulations to all!

By: Jessica Novak