OCCF Announces 2026 High School Scholarship Awards

Students from Rising Sun, South Dearborn and Switzerland County received scholarships.

Shutterstock photo.

(Ohio County, Ind.) - The Ohio County Community Foundation recently awarded several scholarships during the Rising Sun High School Awards 
Program as well as scholarships given to students at South Dearborn High School and Switzerland County High School.

The scholarships were established within the Ohio County Community Foundation by organizations, individual donors and/or families who wish to assist high school students in their pursuit of a post-secondary education while honoring or memorializing a friend, loved one or colleague. A total of $69,100 in scholarship funds were awarded to the following members of the Rising Sun High School, South Dearborn High School and Switzerland County High School graduating classes of 2026:

• American Legion Auxiliary Post #59 Scholarship awarded two scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each to a Rising Sun High School student, Ryan Works as well as a South Dearborn High School student Grady Walter. 
• Denise A. Beyer Memorial Scholarship awarded in the amount of $1,000 each to Reese Merica and Elaina Titkemeyer. 
• Donald Bowman Memorial Scholarship awarded four scholarships in the amount of $500 each to two Rising Sun High School Students, Reese Merica and Ryan Works as well as two Switzerland County High School students, Grant Hall and Natalie Wetzel. 
• Thomas & John Cooper Memorial Scholarship awarded in the amount of $1,400 each to Reese Merica and Cara Ohlmansiek. 
• Fulfilling Dreams Scholarship awarded in the amount of $250 to Cara Ohlmansiek. 
• Edward and Grace Gray Memorial Scholarship awarded ten scholarships in the amount of $2,000 each to Lily Courtney, Avery Elliott, Morgan Esposito, Olivia Graver, Grant Lambert, Reese Merica, Cara Ohlmansiek, Elaina Titkemeyer, Aiden White and Ryan Works. 
• David Hewitt Memorial Scholarship awarded in the amount of $1,000 to Ryan Works. 
• Charles and Hazel Johnson Memorial Scholarship awarded seven scholarships in the amount of $2,000 each to Lily Courtney, Avery Elliott, Morgan Esposito, Reese Merica, Cara Ohlmansiek, Elaina Titkemeyer and Aiden White. 
• Anderson-Mondary Scholarship awarded in the amount of $1,000 to Aiden White. 
• Learning Tree of Ohio County Scholarship awarded in the amount of $900 to Carrigan Friend. 
• Ohio County Community Foundation Board of Directors Scholarship awarded in the amount of $5,000 to Reese Merica. 
• Ohio County 4-H Scholarship awarded in the amount of $800 to Cara Ohlmaneiek. 
• Rising Sun Volunteer Fire Department Emergency Services Scholarship was awarded in the amount of $1,000 to Ryan Works. 
• Brinson Williamson Memorial Scholarship awarded in the amount of $650 to Carson Wilson. 
• Dana Lee Ballard Memorial Scholarship awarded in the amount of $1,200 to Olivia Graver.
• Don Beckett DVM Scholarship awarded in the amount of $500 to Elaina Titkemeyer.
• David & Becky Brown Scholarship awarded in the amount of $400 to Reese Merica.
• Phyllis A. Brown Scholarship awarded in the amount of $500 each to Avery Elliott and Jaylen Peelman.
• Randy & Debbie Eaglin Scholarship awarded in the amount of $350 to Avery Elliott.
• Gary Green Scholarship awarded in the amount of $550 to Grant Lambert.
• Gerald & Patricia Johnson Memorial Scholarship awarded in the amount of $650 each to Reese Merica and Jaylen Peelman.
• Wilma Lohide Scholarship awarded in the amount of $2,500 each to Reese Merica and Ryan Works.
• Lois C. Mora and Gertrude Schockley Keller Memorial Scholarship awarded two scholarships in the amount of $900 each to Reese Merica and Jaylen Peelman.
• Ohio County Joint Community Scholarship awarded in the amount of $900 each to Reese Merica and Ryan Works.
• Elizabeth and IEO Vaughn Pursuing Their Dreams Scholarship awarded in the amount of $300 to Jaylen Peelman.
• Pat & Gary Kinnett Scholarship in Memory of Their Son “Ken” Kinnett awarded in the amount of $1,500 to Carson Wilson.
• Morgan Esposito, Olivia Graver, Reese Merica and Elaina Titkemeyer were each awarded a $4,000 scholarship for being named Ohio County Community Foundation Scholars. The scholarship is paid up to $1,000 a year over four consecutive years of study and may be used at any post-secondary educational institution such as a technical school, a community college or a four-year college or university.
• Margaret “Maggie” Mossburger was recognized as the recipient of the 2026 Ohio County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship. As a Lilly Endowment Community Scholar, Hannah will receive full tuition to the Indiana College or university of her choice. The scholarship also covers required fees and up to $900 per year for books and required equipment. The value of this scholarship is based on the tuition and fees of the college in which the student chooses to attend starting in the fall of 2026.

Anyone can make contributions to an established fund within the Foundation by submitting their donation to the: Ohio County Community Foundation, 330 Industrial Access Drive, PO Box 170, Rising Sun, IN 47040. Gifts may be made in memory or in honor of a friend or loved one. Donations to OCCF-administered funds are tax deductible in most cases. To receive information on making a contribution or establishing a scholarship fund, please call the Ohio County Community Foundation at 812-438-9401