By Sheila Baltzell-Linn 6-15-2026

(6-16-26) The members of The University Women’s Club of Mercer County are pleased to announce their selections of young women who are receiving scholarship grants totaling $10,000 for the 2026 school year.

The two $1,500 Evelyn Meyers’ scholarships for high school senior girls going into the field of Education were awarded to Ft. Recovery High School’s Olivia Knapke, who is planning to attend The University of Dayton majoring in grades 7-12 Education; and Coldwater High School’s Kaylie Rutschilling, who is planning to attend WSU-University – Lake Campus with a major in Early Childhood Education.

The two $1,500 University Women’s Club of Mercer County Scholarships for high school senior girls (any field) were awarded to Celina High School senior: Haylee Thomas who plans to attend Ohio University to major in Journalism and Aubrie Heitkamp, Ft. Recovery High School who will further her education at Wright State University – Lake Campus to major in Nursing as a Nurse Practitioner.

The two $1,500 Scholarships for female COLLEGE Juniors going into their Senior year, which requires a GPA above 3.0, an essay, and a college professor’s recommendation, for 2026, go to: Cecelia Sutter, St. Henry who attends University of Findlay majoring in Animal Science and Taylor Klingshirn, Celina OH who attends University of Cincinnati majoring in . 

Awarded the University Women’s Club $1000 Associate Degree Scholarship was Katie Guingrich from Celina High who will attend Wright State University – Lake Campus majoring in Human Resources. 

The UWC of Mercer County unites post-secondary graduates, including associate graduates, of the vicinity for mutual educational benefits and encourages high school women from Mercer County to continue their education in two-year and four-year degrees. Contact President Zenia Adams at zpadams@yahoo.com for your welcoming invite. 

Celina High School Awards Ceremony, Left to right Haylee Thomas & Katie Guingrich with Sheila Baltzell-Linn member of the UWC.
The Ft. Recovery High School Awards ceremony. Left to right are Olivia Knapke with Beth Weber, member of the UWC

The Ft. Recovery High School Awards Ceremony. Left to right are Ft. Recovery senior Aubrie Heitkamp with UWC member Beth Weber.

Coldwater High School Awards Ceremony with UWC members Vicki Hoyng left and Jane Diller right presenting to Kaylie Rutschilling.

There are no photos of the two College Junior/Senior Scholarship winners. Member Beth Weber hand-delivered them to Cecelia Sutter and Taylor Klingshirn.