(4-19-24) The Annual Senior DARE Scholarship Luncheon was held at the Mercer County Elks Tuesday, April 16th to honor students who have remained true to their fifth grade DARE pledge, which is to remain drug, tobacco, and alcohol free. Approximately seventy students, school staff, and guests attended the luncheon.

The ten scholarship winners were:

Front: David Kremer (Marion Local), Cole Etzler (Coldwater), Keaton Fishbaugh (Celina), Ally Heath (St. Henry), Sarah Sheppard (Parkway); Back: Alex Evers (Ft. Recovery), Kameryn Cline (Celina), Caleb Wendel (St. Henry), Brianna Schmidt (Marion Local), and Justin Gruss (Coldwater).


Thirty-seven seniors applied for the ten five hundred dollar DARE scholarships. The applicants were required to write about how DARE has impacted their life and how they 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 and provide two letters of recommendation. The ten scholarship winners were: David Kremer (Marion Local), Cole Etzler (Coldwater), Keaton Fishbaugh (Celina), Ally Heath (St. Henry), Sarah Sheppard (Parkway), Alex Evers (Ft. Recovery), Kameryn Cline (Celina), Caleb Wendel (St. Henry), Brianna Schmidt (Marion Local), and Justin Gruss (Coldwater).

Commendations were presented to the winners from State Representative Angela King, State Senator Matt Huffman, as well as the Mercer County DARE Boosters. Commendation from Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor John Husted will be sent to each winner as well. A special thanks goes out to Wright State University- Lake Campus’s Western Ohio Educational Foundation for yearly matching scholarships for those students who attend the Lake Campus.

All the students who were honored at the DARE Senior Scholarship Luncheon on April 16, 2024

Other seniors who applied for scholarships and attended the luncheon were: Celina: Carver Harris, Paige Veit, Isabella Mull, Maddicyn Brumbaugh, Luke Spencer, Maxwell Baumstark, Hannah Koester, Gracie Hinton, Kenzie Miracle, Caitlyn Nuding, Brock Walley, and Kayliann Howell; Coldwater: Mya Wehrkamp, Hailey Burrows, Emily Brunswick, Braxton Howell, Riley Kremer, Grace Backs, and Madison Wendel; Fort Recovery: Mara Pearson, Tiffany Taft; Marion Local: Lauren Kuck, John Kramer; Parkway: Meg Henkle, Madison Louth; St. Henry: Jaiden Stammen. Not present was Tabitha Berkenstock, Coldwater. All non-scholarship winners each received a 10-dollar restaurant gift card. Seniors who did not apply for the scholarship but remained true to their DARE promise were also honored. They were Alex Dues, Matthew Romer, Megan Evers, Joscelyn LeFevre, Olivia Smith, Ellie Will, and Cole Shoemaker.

Guests attending in honor of the seniors were principal Renee Kramer and guidance counselor Ethan Knopp – Celina HS; guidance counselor Natalie Kanney and principal Jason Hemmelgarn Coldwater HS; SADD advisor Lindsey Reinhard principal Ryan Steinbrunner, and guidance counselor Amy Kaiser – Ft. Recovery HS; guidance counselor Jenny Dippold and principal Tim Goodwin – Marion Local HS; principal Brian Fortkamp– Parkway HS; guidance counselor Julie Overman, principal Eric Rosenbeck, and SADD advisor Mindy Siefring – St. Henry HS; Honored Guests: Coldwater Police Chief Kevin Wynk, Rockford Mayor Ron Searight and Mercer County Sheriff Department’s Sergeant Don Bird; Guest Speaker Chief Deputy Doug Timmerman; current DARE Booster members Jerry Kanney (president), DARE Officer Deputy Scott Geis, Laura Sanford, Mike Eyink, Casey Nuttle, Sherry Reineke, and Joyce Howell.


Those in attendance were 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, Mercer County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy of Enforcement Doug Timmerman, shared an encouraging message about the importance of family, sticking to values of integrity, honesty, working hard and having concern for their fellow man. He challenged all in attendance to stand strong in their ethics and morals even when it is hard and to do one act of kindness a day for someone.

Thank you to the Mercer County Elks for the donation of the meeting area and to the men who 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.