North Canton Alumni Association

05/26/2026

Werstler Family Scholar Athlete Scholarship

The second of the two Werstler Family scholarship recipients is Carter Lukens.

Carter will be attending Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, majoring in Exercise Science. His career goal is to be a physical therapist.

In athletics, Carter’s football awards include: 2nd Team All-Federal (11), Repository All-Stark County Honorable Mention (11), and All Northeast Inland District Honorable Mention (11), Team Captain (12), 1st Team All-Federal (12), All-Stark County (12), 1st Team Repository All-Stark County (12), 1st Team NE Inland District (12), 3rd Team All-Ohio (12), Spartans Sports Defensive Player of the Year (12), Stark Sports Defensive Player of the Year (12), and All-Time Leading Tackler at Hoover (12). His baseball awards include: Honorable Mention All-Federal (10), Team Captain (11, 12), 2nd Team All-Federal (11), 1st Team All-District (11), and Vital Viking Award (11).

Carter’s other activities include: Student Council, Class Vice President, Class Representative, Link Crew, Spanish Club (4 years), sports camp volunteer, and Fly Fishing Club President (12).

-----

The Werstler Family can trace its North Canton roots back to Charles McFadden, superintendent of schools in the 1920s. Richard Werstler was a long-time school board member and was inducted into the Hall of Distinction in 2000. Todd Werstler is a 1972 graduate, participated in football and wrestling, and later followed his father as an optometrist. Todd’s wife Erin was the tournament director of the Hoover Holiday Wrestling Tournament for 20 years. Their desire is to assist graduates who have excelled in both academics and athletics. We are pleased to award $1000 with this scholarship.

05/22/2026

Werstler Family Scholar Athlete Scholarship

The first of the two Werstler Family scholarship recipients is Gabriella Ascani.

Gabriella is undecided on her choice of college, but has narrowed her choice to The University of Michigan, Indiana University, or the University of Maryland. She plans on majoring in neuroscience with a goal of becoming a neurologist.

In academics, Gabriella’s awards include Academic Letter (4 years), Summa Scholar, Governor’s Scholar, National Honor Society, AP Academic Scholar with Distinction, Community Seal, and Honors Diploma.

In athletics, her awards include Varsity Swimming (4 years), Honorable Mention All-Federal (9), Second Team All-Federal (10, 11), First Team All-Federal (12), OHSAA State Qualifier (12), Most Improved Swimmer (9), Brian Simpson Desire Award (11), Sam Diblasi Commissioners Award Nominee, Honorable Mention All-County (4 years), All Ohio Academic Award (12), and 1st Team All-Academic Federal League.

Gabriella’s other activities include: Link Crew Leader (11), Link Crew Commissioner (12), AGAPE Girls Leader, National Honor Society, NHS Treasurer and Historian, Leadership Club, Teen Institute, Pep Club Media Correspondent, Student Council, Church Confirmation Sponsor, YMCA July 4th Race Volunteer, and YMCA/Dogwood Lifeguard.

-----

The Werstler Family can trace its North Canton roots back to Charles McFadden, superintendent of schools in the 1920s. Richard Werstler was a long-time school board member and was inducted into the Hall of Distinction in 2000. Todd Werstler is a 1972 graduate, participated in football and wrestling, and later followed his father as an optometrist. Todd’s wife Erin was the tournament director of the Hoover Holiday Wrestling Tournament for 20 years. Their desire is to assist graduates who have excelled in both academics and athletics. We are pleased to award $1000 with this scholarship.

05/20/2026

Superintendent’s Choice Scholarship

This year’s recipient is Shane Gillogly.

Shane is undecided on his choice of college, and plans to major in Engineering.

Shane's activities include National Honor Society, Football (2 years), Marching Band (4 years), and is the 1st Chair Trombone in Concert Band.

-----

The Superintendent and the school district have been very supportive of our alumni association efforts for more than 30 years. This is especially true of our annual Hall of Distinction ceremony. The recipient is chosen solely on the Superintendent’s criteria. We are pleased to award $500 with this scholarship.

05/18/2026

James Phillip Holl Scholarship

This year’s recipient for this scholarship is Kory Bell.

Kory will be attending Stark State College in North Canton, Ohio, and studying Welding. His career goal is to earn the certifications needed to work in fabrication or structural welding.

Kory is also an Eagle Scout. For his Eagle Project, he led a group of volunteers to upgrade the Youth Room at Zion United Church of Christ by painting the walls with several bold colors and geometric designs.

-----

James Phillip Holl is an integral part of our Alumni Association and has also authored several sports books. His desire is to assist graduates who plan on attending a technical school, trade school, two-year university, or apprenticeship. We are pleased to award $1000 with this scholarship.

05/15/2026

G. Kenneth Oberlin Eagle Scholarship

This year’s recipient is Lincoln Laliberte.

Lincoln is planning on attending Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and majoring in Architecture.

Lincoln’s career goals are to become a licensed architect and design spaces that serve communities.

For his Eagle Scout project, Lincoln and volunteers worked with Zion Lutheran Church to improve accessibility for members of the congregation and community. The project included painting 8 new handicap parking spaces, installing 8 new handicap parking signs, and installing more than seventy braille interior signs throughout the building.

------

G. Kenneth Oberlin was Scoutmaster of Troop 1 in North Canton for 38 years, and was registered with the Boy Scouts for over 70 years. He helped over 70 young men earn the Eagle Badge, the highest rank in the Boy Scout Movement. For his efforts on behalf of Eagle Scouting, he was honored nationally by the National Eagle Scout Association in 1978. We are pleased to award $1000 with this scholarship.

05/13/2026

Frank Berrodin Citizenship Scholarship

Our second of the Berrodin scholarship recipients is Samantha Rankin.

Samantha is planning on attending the University of Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio and with a goal of entering the graduate-level Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) program.

Samantha’s activities include: section leader and SPIRIT team leader in the band, lab assistant for a 9th grade physical science class, volunteer work at Akron Children’s Hospital, National Honor Society, and a member of the Selection Committee for the North Canton Hall of Distinction.

-----

The Citizenship Scholarships are named for Frank Berrodin. He was a former Midget Football Commissioner, Little League Baseball Player Agent and PTA President. These $500 Scholarships have been offered since 1997 and attempt to recognize students who have been good citizens and have given great effort in their years at Hoover High School.

05/11/2026

Frank Berrodin Citizenship Scholarship

The first of the two Berrodin scholarship recipients is Sophia Jackson.

Sophia is planning on attending Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia, and majoring in Sociology & Anthropology.

Sophia’s career goals are to go into social work or social services.

Sophia’s activities include: coaching novice students on the speech and debate team; tutoring students who struggle with math; volunteering her time at the Care Closet; and in the Teaching Professions program, she spends her Thursday and Friday afternoons working in classrooms in our district, assisting teachers at the Primary, Intermediate, and Middle School. She is also tutoring an intermediate student in ASL so that the student can better communicate with family members who are deaf.

------

The Citizenship Scholarships are named for Frank Berrodin. He was a former Midget Football Commissioner, Little League Baseball Player Agent and PTA President. These $500 Scholarships have been offered since 1997 and attempt to recognize students who have been good citizens and have given great effort in their years at Hoover High School.

05/09/2026

Hey Vikings!

The Senior Recognition Ceremony for the Class of 2026 awarded over $430,000 in scholarships to deserving seniors! See the ceremony here:

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

05/08/2026

Hey Vikings!!

Please see our current newsletter at:

http://www.northcantonalumni.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026_01-ENTIRE-COLOR.pdf

05/07/2026

The North Canton Alumni Association announces its scholarship recipients for 2026. They are:


Frank Berrodin Citizenship Scholarship: Sophia Jackson, Samantha Rankin

G. Kenneth Oberlin Eagle Scout Scholarship: Lincoln Laliberte

James Phillip Holl Scholarship: Kory Bell

Superintendent's Choice Scholarship: Shane Gillogly

Werstler Family Scholar Athlete Scholarship: Gabriella Ascani, Carter Lukens

The North Canton Alumni Association has been awarding graduating seniors with scholarships since 1995 with 160 scholarships and over $90,000 awarded. Please join us in congratulating these worthy recipients!

See more on our scholarships at: http://www.northcantonalumni.org/honors-awards/scholarships/

If you would like to contribute to our scholarship fund and help more graduates, send your tax-free donations to:
North Canton Alumni Association
P.O. Box 2534
North Canton, OH 44720