School notes: Perkins, Port Clinton, Zonta Club scholarship recipients

Want to see your student or teacher featured on the Schools page? Email news and photos to reporter Caitlin Nearhood at nearhood@sanduskyregister.com, or call 419-609-5849 for more information. PERKINS TWP. On Tuesday, May 24, Briar Middle School seventh-graders met and listened to Harold Brown, one of the original Tuskegee Airmen, in Port Clinton. The 97-year-old Army Air Force veteran shared stories about his time as one of the first African American airmen and how he survived World War II. He encouraged the students to "get prepared so that when an opportunity comes, you're ready." PORT CLINTON On Thursday, May 5, Bataan Memorial Primary second-grade students gathered to help fill the little free library with children's books. In an effort to provide access to quality children's literature to any student, Bataan Memorial Primary second-grade teacher Jennifer Keeton organized an effort to bring a Little Free Library to Bataan Memorial. The goal of the library is to keep children reading, and the Little Free Library motto is "Take a book, share a book." Keeton and fellow Bataan Memorial Primary teachers will monitor and fill the library as needed. The Little Free Library at Bataan was made possible by Port Clinton High School students Gavin Maloy and Ryan Zam, who built the library in their wood technology class under the direction of teacher Garry Denman; donated material from Gluth Building Contractor, LLC.; Keeton and her students painting the little library; and Port Clinton Schools maintenance staff placing the library in front of the school. SANDUSKY Zonta Club of Greater Sandusky recently chose its 2022 high school scholarships, valued at $1,000 each. Fifteen applications were received from students attending Bellevue, Edison, Norwalk, Norwalk St. Paul, Perkins, Sandusky, St. Mary Central Catholic and Vermilion high schools. The monetary award, along with a certificate of recognition, were presented to the following recipients during Zonta's annual scholarship and installation banquet this month. • Kathleen May, the daughter of Keri and John May of Sandusky, is a senior at Sandusky High School. Her honors include principal's honor roll; Captain's Award, Coach's Award and MVP Award for varsity golf; sophomore leadership award in a cappella choir; Ohio Music Education Association's district honors choir; ACT 30 Point Club; 30 Quality Point Club; and National Honor Society secretary/treasurer. Kathleen's community and high school activities include Boys and Girls Club; Impact Leadership Seminar; Ohio Model United national council/vice president; Ohio Leadership Institute Leadership Training Conference; a cappella choir (86th, 87th, 88th), librarian (10) and president (12); high school musical; varsity golf/captain (12); Sandus-Keynotes and bell choir; Superintendent's Executive Leadership Academy; drama club; Unified Students of Sandusky; Global Internship Experience; and the Firelands Challenge team. Kathleen plans to attend either Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin or the University of Cincinnati to major in secondary education and mathematics. • Alexa Samstag, the daughter of Elizabeth and Jason Samstag of Huron, is a senior at St. Mary Central Catholic High School. Her honors include all-conference, all-district, offensive MVP and captain for volleyball; set six school records in volleyball; homecoming queen; student of the month by the Lions Club; Kiwanis Club; and Rotary Club. Alexa's community and high school activities include volunteer work at Firelands Regional Medical Center, Red Cross and Northshore Volleyball Club; volleyball; cheerleading; Teen Leadership Corps; National Honor Society; National Arts Honor Society; House Group president; and Smile Support Squad. Alexa plans to attend Miami University in Oxford, Ohio to study psychology and neuroscience. • Abigail Stine, the daughter of Denise and Roger Stine of Norwalk, is a senior at Norwalk St. Paul High School. Her honors include 1st Honors (9-12); academic letter (9-12); Most Improved (9); and Coach's Award (11) in varsity track; first chair clarinet (9-12) marching and concert band; band secretary (10-12); class secretary (12). Abigail's community and high school activities include Eucharistic minister (11-12); altar server (9-10); Kairos team leader (11-12); Steubenville Youth Conference (9,11, 12); Souls4Souls shoe drive (12); Drug Free Clubs of America (9-12); Norwalk Area Food Bank (9-12); Class Act Dance Studio; National Honor Society (11-12); volleyball; cross country; Northshore Volleyball Club; prom committee; and pep band. Abigail will attend Heidelberg University to study biochemistry. • Elle Whelan, the daughter of Brandy Whelan and Conor Whelan of Sandusky, is a senior at Sandusky High School. Her honors include the Perfect Attendance Award (9-12); Scholar-Athlete Award (9-12); principal's honor roll (9-12); setting the school record for pole vault; Most Improved Award in track; Captain's Award in swimming (11-12); and All-American Academic Award for swimming. Elle's community and high school activities include 4-H Club/president; volunteering with American Red Cross; visiting the local homeless shelter; Victory Kitchen; OHgo; Serving Our Seniors; varsity volleyball, varsity track and varsity swim; student council/vice president; National Honor Society; Global Internship Program; and Superintendent's Leadership Academy. Elle will attend Ohio University to major in energy engineering.