04/20/2026
The Annual Senior DARE Scholarship Luncheon was held on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at the Grange Hall at the Fairgrounds. The luncheon honors students who have stayed true to their 5th grade DARE promise of remaining drug and alcohol free. Over 70 students, school staff, and guests attended the luncheon.
Essays were received from 38 students. The prompt for this essay was “DARE: How it has impacted my life; how I will use these skills to contribute to society.” Applicants also had to document academic achievements and extracurricular activities that reflect the spirit and goals of DARE, provide two letters of recommendation, and have a parent, principal and guidance counselor sign their paperwork.
Ten students were awarded $500 scholarships. A special thanks to Wright State University-Lake Campus’s Western Ohio Educational Foundation matching scholarships for those students winners who attend the Lake Campus. All non-scholarship winners each received a restaurant gift card.
The ten scholarship winners were: Celina - Ashton Lehman, Jackson Newcomb, Bria Pearson and Austin Siefring; Coldwater - Quinn Brandon; Fort Recovery - Elisa Evers, Leah Wuebker; Parkway - Taylor Muhlenkamp and Emmery Temple; St. Henry - Brady Dues.
Commendations were presented to the winners from the offices of Senator Susan Manchester, State Representative Angie King and Governor DeWine and Lieutenant Governor Jim Trisel, as well as the Mercer County DARE Boosters.
Other seniors who applied for scholarships were: Celina- Avery Stachler, Alanna Gray, Abigail Hudak, Brooke Baucher, Katie Guingrich, Colbie Kinney, McKenzie Germann; Coldwater- Ava Doll, Carson Dues, Makenzie Norris, Ella Kaiser, Nora Wehrkamp, Edward Obringer, Rebecca Simper; Ft. Recovery - Josh Evers, Carson Fullenkamp; Marion - Mia Wolters, Christian Kremer, John Mescher; Parkway - Natalie Moeller, Kaleb Gilliland, Rylan Lyons, Taylor Minnich, Christina Tong; St. Henry - Ilyssa Sutter, Lillian Rockwell, Elizabeth Koesters, Emma Hemmelgarn. Other Seniors who did not apply but have kept their DARE promise and attended the luncheon: Ft. Recovery: Alivia Grube, Aubrey Heitkamp, Maddison Heitkamp, Luke Lochtefeld, Eli Hawk, Caleb Smith, Reese LeFevre.
Special guests included: St. Henry: Eric Rosenbeck, Principal; Julie Overman, Guidance Counselor; Parkway: Brian Fortkamp, Principal; Marion Local: Tim Goodwin, Principal; Counselor; Ft. Recovery: Ryan Steinbrunner, Principal; Amy Kaiser, Guidance Counselor; Lindsey Reinhard SADD Advisor; Coldwater: Jason Hemmelgarn, Principal, Natalie Kanney, Guidance Counselor; Celina: Renee Kramer, Principal; Ethan Knopp, Guidance Counselor; Coldwater Mayor Doug Bertke, WOEF President Jeff Schwieterman, Speaker Mandy Diller, Former DARE Booster members Shirley and Tom Pryer, Police Officer Don Bird, Coldwater Police Chief Kevin Wynk, MCSO Captain Chad Fortkamp. DARE Booster members present were Jerry Kanney (president), DARE officer Deputy Scott Geis, Laura Sanford (secretary), Mike Eyink, Casey Nuttle, Sherry Reineke.
Those in attendance were also encouraged by DARE President Jerry Kanney’s story about Alex Sheen who created a social movement and nonprofit dedicated to the betterment of humanity through promises made and kept. This movement is called, “Because I said I would.” Jerry encouraged the youth to stick with promises they make, even when it gets difficult.
The guest speaker this year was Mandy Diller who is a local teacher, mentor, and coach. She encouraged the youth to be proud of the paths they chose. That who you are becoming is more important than where you started. The choices you make when no one is watching, shape your life. To be yourself and have a plan; to be comfortable with being uncomfortable because people are looking up to you. Everyone needs a sense of belonging. She encouraged them to make new connections and friends as well as to remember everyone is starting over (after finishing high school). Someone else feels like you are feeling and it’s okay to ask for the support of others going through similar situations because you are never alone.
Thank you to the Mercer County Elks Golf Club for the donation of funds to pay for the luncheon and the Grange Hall crew who cooked and served the luncheon. The Mercer County D.A.R.E. Boosters would also like to thank all merchants, individuals, and others who continually support this program through their donations and time. Save the date for our DARE Boosters Quarter Auction on November 8, 2026 at the Grange Hall.
