COLUMBUS — On April 14, the Ohio Educational Service Center Association will recognize Ohio’s top students in each of the 88 counties statewide during the annual Franklin B. Walter All-Scholastic Awards Program to be held at the Renaissance Columbus Westerville-Polaris Hotel.

Nominated by one of the 51 educational service centers, eligible applicants are high school seniors that demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and community service as indicated by high school grades, test scores, school and community activities, and awards.

“In order to achieve this level of success, these students have demonstrated a commitment to excellence, resilience, and grit,” states OESCA Executive Director Craig Burford.

For nearly four decades, OESCA has recognized nearly over 2,600 scholars and student leaders during this event.

“Ohio’s ESCs have over a century of service in providing technical assistance and support to Ohio’s schools and students, and during this event we get to see the impact of that work,” Burford added. “We look forward to our continued partnership with students and families, school district leadership, and state policymakers to ensure students have equal access to high quality educational opportunities and experiences regardless of where they live and attend school.”

The award program, named in honor of Ohio’s 31st state superintendent of public instruction, Franklin B. Walter, was established by OESCA in 1989 to promote and recognize outstanding student leaders for their academic achievement and service to their schools and communities. One senior from each county in Ohio is eligible to receive this annual honor.

The East Central Ohio ESC recognizes winners from Belmont, Guernsey, Harrison, Noble and Tuscarawas counties: Sloan Hanasky of Union Local School District will attend Florida Gulf Coast University for marketing, Madison Peters of Cambridge City School District will attend Belmont University for pre-law/ publishing, Zachary Putnam of Conotton Valley Union Local School District, Andrew Neff of Noble Local School District will attend either Ohio University or The Ohio State University for mechanical engineering, and Lauren Rectanus of Claymont City School District will attend Ohio University for broadcast journalism. The East Central Ohio ESC extends its congratulations to these exceptional students.

Ohio’s ESCs provide school districts with professional development, technology, support, planning and administrative services that help improve student learning, enhance the quality of instruction, expand access to resources, and maximize operating/fiscal efficiencies. The Ohio ESC Association supports, educates and advocates for Ohio’s ESCs. Visit oesca.org to learn more.