The top bulldogs at Bridgeport are setting out to do their school proud in life, and they have earned support from communities in the school district and beyond.
On May 6, administrators and staff at Bridgeport High School joined in recognizing freshmen, sophomores, juniors and graduating seniors during the annual Academic Awards Presentation.
Presenters from myriad organizations including area colleges, the Lansing Sportsman’s Club, the Bellaire post of the VFW, boosters, businesses and community organizations presented scholarships to Bridgeport’s high achievers.
Matt Fuller, commander of the Bellaire VFW, presented $1,000 to Katelyn Hunt whose essay won the Voice of Democracy essay contest. She placed first at the Bellaire post and went on to place second at the VFW District 5 level, where 22 other contestants were considered. Hunt is heading to the Franciscan University of Steubenville to study marketing.
Robert Weaver of the Bridgeport Rotary Club and Bridgeport Friendship Council made up of all the school district’s churches, presented scholarships based on high top grade point averages to Hunt, to Campbell Kropka who is heading to Ohio University Eastern to study becoming a physician’s assistant, Madison Matusik, heading to Kent State University to study engineering, and DaVonte Smith, going to Rice University to pursue architecture.
Scholarships were given according to criteria including community service and commitment to certain fields of study.
Ed Eberhart of the Barnesville Area Education Foundation presented the Michael and Jane Zunick Scholarship awarded to students in Belmont County majoring in a technical field. Kropka earned this scholarship. She will be going to Ohio University Eastern to study to be a physician’s assistant. She received a scholarship of $4,000 per year for four years.
“It’s very competitive,” Eberhart said, adding only four students earned scholarships. He said Kropka showed determination in overcoming obstacles and a desire to help others. “We received over 20 applicants, that’s from all the different high schools in Belmont County.”
Petty First Class Officer Katharina Tosh of the U.S. Navy recognized KaVone Allison, who was enlisting in the Navy. Hayden Maher, who will be enlisting in the Marines, was also recognized.
High School Principal Jack Fisher addressed the assembly.
“These students have excelled in all areas of the school experience,” he said. Fisher said the students’ dedication in academics, athletics, extracurricular activities and community service have established a “solid foundation” for future success. He reminded students that for success in life they will call on the same qualities that made them successful in school, including dedication, kindness, and the ability to see and seize opportunities. “I know that if you continue to do this, you’ll undoubtably succeed where you go from here.”
Superintendent Brent Ripley called on the freshmen, sophomores and juniors to look to the graduating seniors’ example. He noted they had earned about half a million dollars in scholarships, and their hard word work has paid off.
“Scholarship day is one of my favorite days of the year because it’s a culmination of everything good about education,” he said. He also mentioned the community’s generosity and support. “We see that bulldog spirit come through.”
Recognition concluded with the singing of the alma mater.
Several seniors commented during the refreshment social afterward.
Ella Molter earned the Irene Mae Kovalik Memorial Scholarship of $1,500, the S.A. Gillette Scholarship of $500, the Robert Ford Wilson Memorial Scholarship of $1,500 and a $250 Academic Wall of Fame Scholarship. She will be heading to Ohio University in Athens to study social work with the goal of becoming a private practice therapist.
“I’ve been going to Bridgeport since preschool and so I know a lot of the people here, and it’s just been a great experience overall,” she said. She recalled pushing through the difficulties of beginning ninth grade during the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s great to see that my hard work has paid off in the end, and I’m really grateful for all of the scholarships I have received.”
Jaylese Potts earned a Class of 1936 Scholarship of $300. She is heading to the Modern College of Design in Kettering, Ohio to study digital design.
“Bridgeport is a very nice school,” she said, adding the relatively small size allowed for more individualized attention. “I got to know people a lot better, and I got to know the teachers and got to work one-on-one. That really helped open a lot of opportunities.”
She said Jim Davenport’s information technology class was invaluable in imparting skills. She advises freshman to apply themselves.
“You never know what you’re going to want to do, but if you try your best, you’ll always have a chance at something.”
Anthony Gear earned the the $500 Reynolds-Marty Memorial Scholarship, a $1,000 Lansing Sportsman’s Club Scholarship, the $2,000 Henry and Lulu Windshimer Memorial Scholarship and a $250 Wall of Fame Scholarship. He is heading to Kent State University to study aerospace engineering.
“I think Bridgeport does a really good job of helping you build your foundational skills and lead you on to the second part of your life or your education,” he said. “They’re very welcoming. It’s family based. We might not be blood related, but together we seniors are a family now.”
Graduation is set for May 24.
