Honoring seniors

As the school year winds down, Monday evening provided an opportunity to celebrate seniors.

It also was a chance to provide them with some help.

More than $1.15 million in scholarships and awards for Jay County High School seniors were announced Monday night during the annual Honors Night Celebration.

“We’d like to express our deep appreciation to the parents who have entrusted us with the education and well-being of their children,” said JCHS assistant principal James Myers at the conclusion of the ceremony. “Your support and encouragement have been instrumental in enabling our students to reach their full potential.

“To our students, we offer our congratulations on your impressive accomplishments. Your dedication to academic excellence, leadership and service is truly inspiring. You have worked tirelessly to achieve your goals and your achievements are a testament to your hard work and your determination.

Of the total, $69,200 came from local sources. Another $244,031.07 came through The Portland Foundation, with $807,984 from colleges and universities. A total of 569 scholarships and awards were presented.

“To our generous donors, your support and investment in our students and contributions have allowed us to provide our students with a world-class education, unparalleled opportunities and a supportive community that fosters growth and development,” Myers said. “We are grateful for your continued support and look forward to the continued growth and success of our students.”

Among the many honored Monday were Destiny McManus, who in December was announced as the school’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholar. The honor provides her with room, board and a stipend for books at the Indiana college or university of her choice. Other finalists for the scholarship were Danyelle Bland and Josh Dowlen.



Academic honors

Eden Abshire, Alex Ardizzone, Mara Bader, Gabi Bilbrey, Danyelle Bland, Lauren Brewster, Taylor Brown, JaiDi Brunson, Madison Brunswick, Kenneth Carducci, Kylee Carreno, Thomas Charles, Hilary Cox, Raven Dale, Brock DeHoff, Austin Dirksen, Simon Dirksen, Ella Doll, Joshua Dowlen, Abbie Fields, Anastasiia Fomina, Dartaven Fosnaugh, Haylea Hough, Janae Jacobs, Abigail Johnson, Raine Keen, Joseph Kunk, Isaac Kunkler, Presley Kunkle, Peyton Lothridge, Laci McGinnis, Mabrey McIntire, Destiny McManus, Paige Mumbower, Azael Navarro Garcia, Dusty Pearson, Owen Ransom, Morgan Reier, Christian Runkle, Renna Schwieterman, Rosealynne Smith, Cameron Smitley, Brooke Stauffer, Emily Strausburg, Tavin Wasson, Isaiah Weekley, Natalie Wehrly, Bennett Weitzel and Jordan Wickey



Technical honors

Blake Bogenschutz, Seth Degler, Matthew Fields, Kelsey Frantz, Katie Haffner, Patience Hambrock, Ryler Johnson, Wyatt Kunkler, Carter Link, Ralph Link, Joshua Monroe, Regina Muhlenkamp, Dominick Newsome, Lainey Reynolds, Dakota Suman, Carson Tipple, Jaiden Watson, Kaylee Zimmerman and Melana Zimmerman



Honor section 3.8-plus GPA

Eden Abshire, Alex Ardizzone, Mara Bader, Danyelle Bland, Lauren Brewster, JaiDi Brunson, Madison Brunswick,, Kenneth Carducci, Austin Dirksen, Simon Dirksen, Joshua Dowlen, Anastasiia Fomina, Kelsey Frantz, Katie Haffner, Haylea Hough, Janae Jacobs, Abigail Johnson, Raine Keen, Joseph Kunk, Isaac Kunkler, Laci McGinnis, Mabrey McIntire, Destiny McManus, Joshua Monroe, Regina Muhlenkamp, Azael Navarro Garcia, Dusty Pearson, Owen Ransom, Morgan Reier,Renna Schwieterman, Cameron Smitley, Brooke Stauffer, Carson Tipple, Lauryn VanCise, Jaiden Watson, Isaiah Weekley, Natalie Wehrly, Bennett Weitzel, Jordan Wickey, Kaylee Zimmerman and Melana Zimmerman



Academic Competition Award

Azael Navarro Garcia, Tsvetelina Boynova, Barbare Aliashvili, Anastasiia Fomina, Khutso Mutheketela, Puhiza Shemsedini, Alex Ardizzone, Brooke Stauffer and Raine Keen



Advanced Manufacturing - two certifications

Skyler Bee, Peyton Bennett, Devin Clevenger, Jacob Hurtado, Isaac Kunkler, Wyatt Kunkler, Tyler Manor, Dayton Ross and Justin Thomas



Alcove Artist Scholarship

Lauren Brewster



Allen County Athletic Conference Academic award

Mara Bader, Danyelle Bland, Lauren Brewster, Madison Brunswick, Janae Jacobs, Abigail Johnson, Laci McGinnis, Mabrey McIntire, Destiny McManus, Renna Schwieterman, Natalie Wehrly, Melana Zimmerman, Austin Dirksen, Simon Dirksen, Josh Dowlen, Joseph Kunk, Isaac Kunkler, Josh Monroe, Azael Navarro Garcia, Dusty Pearson, Cameron Smitley and Bennett Weitzel



American Red Cross Leaders Save Lives Scholarship

Josh Dowlen and Lauren Brewster



Army Reserve Scholar Athlete Award

Dusty Pearson and Abbie Fields



Athletic letter blanket

Mara Bader, Gabi Bilbrey, Josh Dowlen, Abbie Fields, Joseph Kunk, Isaac Kunkler, Wyatt Kunkler, Destiny McManus, Trey Nichols, Dusty Pearson, Owen Ranson, Daidrick Retz, Sebastian Solis and Renna Schwieterman



Beta Theta Chapter of Tri Kappa

Joshua Dowlen, Grace Shimp, Laci McGinnis, Isaiah Weekley, Kelsey Frantz and Hilary Cox



Breakfast Optimist Club Scholarship

Christian Runkle, Natalie Wehrly, Kaylee Zimmerman and Melana Zimmerman



Bryant High School Alumni Scholarship

Mitchel Brunswick



Charlotte Ann Wilmore Memorial Scholarship

Gabi Bilbrey



The Cheryl Lee Geesaman Memorial Scholarship

Abbie Fields



CrossRoads Youth Advisory Board Award

Josh Monroe, Morgan Reier and Bennett Weitzel



Crown City Cruisers

Joseph Kunk



CW Oehler Memorial Scholarship

Regina Muhlenkamp



Dan Orr Scholarship

Abigail Johnson



Daughters of the American Revolution

JaiDi Brunson



Delta Theta Tau Zeta Alpha Redkey

Abby Johnson, Abbie Fields, Lainey Reynolds, Lilly Rogers and Kailey Vance

Dr. H.L. Shroyer Christian Love Scholarship, Dunkirk Foundation

Mabrey McIntire



Dunkirk Kiwanis Club

Abigail Johnson



Elda Weaver

Mara Bader, Taylor Brown, JaiDi Brunson



Ella & Irene Cunningham Scholarship, Dunkirk Foundation

Paige Mumbower



Elks Lodge of Portland #768 Scholarship

Jordan Wickey and Emily Strausburg



Ernest & Martha Loy Memorial Scholarship

Joshua Monroe, Dusty Pearson and Bennett Weitzel



FCC (IN) Hiroshi Nozue Memorial Engineering & Maintenance Scholarship

Isaac Kunkler



FFA Senior Sash Award

Raven Dale, Laci McGinnis, Joseph Kunk, Austin Dirksen, Regina Muhlenkamp, Morgan Reier, Chelsea Frontz, Kaylee Zimmerman, Melana Zimmerman, Kelsey Frantz, Katie Haffner, Abby Johnson, Brock DeHoff, Nate Paxson, Tyler Manor and Ryler Johnson



First Bank of Berne

Christian Runkle



Foreign Exchange Student Recognition

Barbare Aliashvili, Johanna Anders, Tsvetelina Boynova, Alba Badajoz-Dominguez, Sofiia Drahomeretska, Nuray Ganbarova, Zofia Jeszke, Natali Mindorashvili, Yosha Monse, Khutso Mutheketela, Auni Nor Hasnan, Puhiza Shemsedini, Ellyn Teo, Valeria Ursu and Annaluna Zahara



Fort Street Car Classics Scholarship

Bennett Weitzel



Frank Inman Memorial Scholarship

Owen Ransom, Hilary Cox and Josh Monroe



Fred Lingo Memorial Scholarship

Josh Monroe and Mitchel Brunswick



Friends of the Jay County Library Scholarship

Raine Keen



German Student Recognition Award

Alex Ardizzone and Brooke Stauffer



Gov. IP Gray Alumni Scholarship

Hilary Cox and Natalie Wehrly



Greg Ashley Outstanding Thespian Award

Alex Ardizzone and Logan Zimmerman



Honor Guard Scholarship, American Legion Post #211

Justin Thomas, Brooke Stauffer, Regina Muhlenkamp and Kelsey Frantz



Honor thespians

Alex Ardizzone and Logan Zimmerman



Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Scholarship

Mara Bader, Isaac Kunkler, Kelsey Frantz, Azael Narvarro-Garcia



IU Health Jay Foundation

Danyelle Bland, JaiDi Brunson and Mabrey McIntire



Ivy Tech ICCEC Indiana College Core

Lauren Brewster, Taylor Brown, Raven Dale, Joshua Dowlan, Abbie Fields, Laci McGinnis, Destiny McManus, Azael Navarro-Garcia, Christian Runkle, Isaiah Weekley, Natalie Wehrly, Jordan Wickey, Alex Ardizzone, Mara Bader, Danyelle Bland, JaiDi Brunson, Madison Brunswick, Kylee Carreno, Thomas Charles, Austin Dirksen, Janae Jacobs, Raine Keen, Mabrey McIntire, Dusty Pearson and Renna Schwieterman



James Burk & Charles Denney Sr. Scholarship, American Legion Post #211

Seth Degler



James E. Hardy Portland Panther

Joshua Dowlen



Jane E. Switzer Scholarship

Mara Bader



Jay Classroom Teachers’ Association

Joshua Dowlen, Abigail Johnson and Alizabeth Stotler



Jay County Civic Theatre Merit Scholarship

Alex Ardizzone



Jay County Conservation Club Scholarship

Gabi Bilbrey



Jay County Junior Fair Board

Ryler Johnson, Laci McGinnis, Raven Dale and Hunter Runyon



Jay County Pee Wee Football Scholarship

Joshua Dowlen



Jay County Jr-Sr High Student Council Scholarship

Laci McGinnis, Josh Dowlen and Morgan Reier



Jay County Farm Bureau Scholarship

Morgan Reier



Jay County Sheriff’s Department Reserves, Future Law Enforcement Scholarship

Haylea Hough



Jay Retired Teachers Association Scholarship

Lilly Rogers



Jay Today Outstanding Students

Sebastian Solis and Madison Springer



Jeannie Habegger Athletic Scholarship

Dusty Pearson



John L. Armantrout Scholarship

Danyelle Bland



Jay County Junior High Honor Society

Danyelle Bland and Morgan Reier

Juan Pablo Heart & Attitude Scholarship

Owen Ransom and Joshua Monroe



Justin Valentine Holy Trinity Catholic Church Scholarship

Regina Muhlenkamp



Knights of Columbus

Mara Bader, Morgan Reier and Isaac Kunkler



Kris A. Rose (Wonder Woman) Scholarship

Lilly Rogers



Lance Corporal Andrew F. Whitacre Memorial

Tavin Wasson



Lexie Gierhart Memorial Scholarship

Kelsey Frantz



Madison High School Alumni Association

Danyelle Bland



Madison Township Alumni Scholarship

Danyelle Bland, Presley Kunkle and Bennet Weitzel



Mandy Theurer Memorial Agriculture Scholarship

Blake Bogenschutz



Mandy Theurer Memorial Cosmetology Scholarship

Kaylee Zimmerman and Savanna Hamilton



Marilee and Gayle Gaunt Memorial Scholarship

Gabi Bilbrey



Math Award

Josh Dowlen and Azael Navarro Garcia



Matt Aker Memorial Scholarship

Adrianna Aker, Haylea Hough and Bennett Weitzel



Michael A. Alig Memorial Fund/FFA

Joseph Kunk, Morgan Reier, Kelsey Frantz, Laci McGinnis, Austin Dirksen, Regina Muhlenkamp and Ryler Johnson



Michelle Bruggeman Memorial Scholarship

Abigail Johnson and Anastasiia Fomina



National Honor Society

Eden Abshire, Mara Bader, Gabi Bilbrey, Danyelle Bland, Lauren Brewster, JaiDi Brunson, Madison Brunswick, Raven Dale, Joshua Dowlen, Anastasiia Fomina, Jenae Jacobs, Abigail Johnson, Mabrey McIntire, Laci McGinnis, Destiny McManus, Dusty Pearson, Morgan Reier, Roselaynne Smith, Renna Schwieterman, Emily Strausburg, Isaiah Weekley, Natalie Wehrly, Bennett Wietzel and Regina Muhlenkamp



National Merit Scholarship Program Finalist

James Larrowe



Norm Vinson Memorial Scholarship

Gabi Bilbrey, JaiDi Brunson and Brooke Stauffer



Outstanding Art Student

Lauren Brewster



Outstanding Business Student

James Larrowe



Outstanding FACS Senior

Raine Keen



Outstanding Social Studies Student

Alex Ardizzone



Pennville Community Center Scholarship

Brooke Stauffer



Portland Evening Optimist

Adrianna Aker, Ana Solis, Sebastian Solis and Brady Davis



The Portland Foundation

Eden Abshire, Adrianna Aker, Alex Ardizzone, Mara Bader, Gabi Bilbrey, Danyelle Bland, Blake Bogenschutz, Lauren Brewster, Taylor Brown, JaiDi Brunson, Mitchel Brunswick, Madison Brunswick, Kenneth Carducci, Kylee Carreno, Thomas Charles, Hilary Cox, Raven Dale, Brock DeHoff, Austin Dirksen, Joshua Dowlen, Abbie Fields, Matthew Fields, Anastasiia Fomina, Kelsey Frantz, Patience Hambrock, Philip Hartman, Rachel Heitkamp, Haylea Hough, Janae Jacobs, Abigail Johnson, Ryler Johnson, Raine Keen, Joseph Kunk, Presley Kunkle, James Larrowe, Laci McGinnis, Mabrey McIntire, Josh Monroe, Regina Muhlenkamp, Paige Mumbower, Azael Navarro-Garcia, Trey Nichols, Dusty Pearson, Owen Ransom, Morgan Reier, Lainey Reynolds, Lilly Rogers, Christian Runkle, Sebastian Solis, Ana Solis, Brooke Stauffer, Alizabeth Stotler, Dakota Suman, Justin Thomas, Ethan Thompson, Kailey Vance, Lauryn VanCise, Peyton Vaughn, Tavin Wasson, Isaiah Weekley, Natalie Wehrly, Bennett Weitzel, Jordan Wickey, Melana Zimmerman and Kaylee Zimmerman



Portland Lions Club

Mara Bader



Psi Iota Xi Sorority Scholarship

Rachel Heitkamp



Randy O. Poole

Alex Ardizzone



Randy O. Poole Mental Attitude Award

Mara Bader and Dusty Pearson



Robert Guy Ayers American Legion Post 211

Mara Bader and Thomas Charles



Redkey Lions Club

Denver Hatzell



Redkey Veterinary Agricultural Records

Raven Dale



S.A.L. Bobby Wherry Memorial Scholarship, American Legion Post #211

Raven Dale and Joseph Kunk



Sara Pyle Thespian Scholarship

Alex Ardizzone and Logan Zimmerman



Senior class officer

Mara Bader, Lauren Brester, Renna Schwieterman and Natalie Wehrly



Sharon Dues Memorial Scholarship

Joseph Kunk



Spanish Award

Janae Jacobs, Destiny McManus and Zofia Jeszke



Spencer G. Calvert Memorial Scholarship

Brady Davis



Student Council Officer Award

Mara Bader, Josh Dowlen and Lauren Brewster



Sue Schoemaker Memorial Scholarship

Lauren Brewster, Ryler Johnson, Rachel Heitkamp, Owen Ransom and Lauren Brewster



T-Flyerz Scholarship

Morgan Reier and Janae Jacobs



USMC Distinguished Athlete Award

Gabi Bilbrey and Owen Ransom



USMC Scholastic Excellence Award

Mara Bader



USMC Semper Fidelis Award for Musical Excellence

Jordan Wickey



Valentine Family Business Scholarship

Laci McGinnis



Valentine Family Fine Arts Scholarship

Rachel Heitkamp



Wanda D. Miskinis Memorial Scholarship, Zeta Chi Chapter Delta Theta Tau

Alizabeth Stotler, Isaiah Weekley and Brooke Stauffer



Warren Wyatt Wells Memorial Scholarship

Mitchel Brunswick



West Jay Optimist Club Scholarship

Raven Dale and Jackson Pierson



William O. Hutchins Portland Junior League Softball

Lauren Brewster and Destiny McManus



William R. Sudhoff Scholarship

Kailey Vance



Win of the Wabash Super Raffle Scholarship

Danyelle Bland and Morgan Reier



Woman’s Life Redkey Gamma Nu

JaiDi Brunson, Lilly Rogers and Raven Dale



WPGW Jay Today Scholarship

Sebastian Solis



Zachary Allen Wolford 4-H Goat Memorial

Rachel Heitkamp



Zack Hummer Memorial Scholarship

Blake Bogenschutz