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Franklin County Farm Bureau has selected 16 deserving scholarship recipients based on superb academic performance, agricultural involvement and more. 

Bradley Wisard –  Bradley will be entering his sophomore year at the University of Cincinnati this fall studying mechanical engineering technology. He is active in the University of Cincinnati’s Honors Program and continues to volunteer for the American Free Spirit Karate Association.

Katherine Smith –Katherine Smith is in her 4th year at The Ohio State University majoring in radiologic sciences and therapy- sonography. On campus, she is an Environmental and Natural Resources Scholar, Ohio Stater, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Ambassador, and Mortar Board member. Through ENR, she works on promoting sustainability and recycling on campus, while exploring nature through backpacking, hiking, and camping. Ohio Staters, Inc. is the oldest student service organization on campus. As an HRS ambassador, she promotes Ohio State and encourages students to join the field of medicine. Finally, as a member of Mortar Board, she has the opportunity to connect with fellow seniors on campus, to volunteer and expand my leadership skills. Outside of school, she is a Girl Scout Gold Award recipient, Scouts BSA Eagle Scout recipient, and past Country Blazers 4-H member. She is now a 4-H advisor. She will be attending graduate school at The Ohio State University to receive a master’s in health and rehabilitation sciences with a focus on leadership, while working as an ultrasound technician.

Melina Kopczewski- Melina is a graduate at Bishop Ready High School. She will be attending The Ohio State University as a history major on a pre-law track.  Melina will also be participating in the John Glenn Leadership community at OSU.  When Melina is not cheering or playing tennis, she is helping out on her family farm. She is a member of National Beta Club and National Honor Society. Melina is proud to represent her community as Miss Spirit of Ohio’s Outstanding Teen with a platform of promoting Women in Agriculture.

Katherine Radwanski- Katherine is a graduate of Bishop Ready and will be attending The Ohio State University to study business and marketing. She is a student athlete for Cross Country and Track and Field, and also participates in her local 4-H program, with a strong interest in agriculture and its environmental impact.

Timothy Sullivan –  Timothy is a senior at The Ohio State University studying agricultural systems management. Through his experiences at Ohio State, he has been involved in the Agricultural Systems Management Club, Crops and Soils Club, Ag Business Club, and CRU. His family operates a farm in southwestern Franklin County where they educate the public on the impact of agriculture in their daily lives and grow corn, soybeans, pumpkins, and sunflowers.

Abigail Harshman –  Abigail is  in her last year of schooling at Bowling Green State University, studying special education. Before going to college, she was in 4-H for 12 years, and she looks forward to sharing her love for agriculture and the 4-H community with her future students. 

Elaine Smith– Elaine is going into her junior year at Ohio State, with a major in visual communication design and an emphasis in animation. She will have the opportunity to intern at The Ohio State University Knowledge Exchange this summer. She swam for the OSU Club Swim Team and is the student manager for the OSU Varsity Swim Team. She was on the leadership committee for the Dunn Scholars group where she coordinated volunteer opportunities for the group this year and was a member of the Romophos Sophomore Class Honorary.

Zachary Illes- Zachary is a 2023 graduate of Westland High School and will be attending Ohio Northern University to study electrical engineering. He is a 10-year member of the Fantastic Futures 4-H Club and has been elected to numerous officer positions. He also served on the Franklin County Junior Fair Board for five years and is currently serving as the Vice President of the board. In addition to this, he served as the 2020 Franklin County Junior Fair Prince, and is currently the 2022 Franklin County Junior Fair King.  In high school, he participated in many different groups and extracurriculars including Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, Chorale Vocal Ensemble, Symphonic Choir, and the Swim Team. He was also a member of his high school’s chapter of National Honor Society and currently has a 4.5 GPA.

Jordan Mattox-  Jordan has been a member of Franklin County 4-H for 12 years and has
taken a variety of projects. Her favorite projects have been livestock and STEM. She has met many amazing people though this organization and had the opportunity to discover herself along the way. She will be attending The Ohio State University in the fall to major in animal sciences to one day become a veterinarian.

Isabella Byrd-Isabella is transferring to The Ohio State University from Columbus State Community College where she was a Choose Ohio First Future Scientist Scholar. While at Columbus State, Isabella participated in STEM Club, Sustainability Club, and helped arrange her art class’ end-of-semester show. She was also a peer mentor and volunteer at several events such as community clean-up days and the middle and high school regional science fair. Isabella’s love of being at her great-grandparents’ farm, exploring nature, and art led her to her major in natural resource management and minor in studio art. Outside of college, Isabella taught a 4-H Art SPIN Club and volunteers as a swim and track coach for Groveport Special Olympics. Isabella wishes to thank Franklin County Farm Bureau for supporting her college education and all the great work they do to support and strengthen the community. 

Olivia Gascon – Olivia attends the University of Kentucky majoring in product design. Through her college experience, she has had several opportunities to grow professionally and gain networking skills. After her first year, she worked at The Ohio State University College of Medicine as a student UX research intern. Olivia is also a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority where she has learned philanthropic services, and how to be a part of a community nationwide. She strives to use her education and experiences to impact the world around her in any way she can.

Elijah Voorhees – Elijah attended Upper Arlington High School and was active in 4-H serving on the Jr. Fair Board. He attends Kent State University studying public health on a pre-med track. 

Christina Rose – Christina Rose is a third-year student at the Ohio State University pursuing a degree both in welding engineering and aviation. In addition to her studies, she is a member of the Engineering Scholars program, the Society of Woman Engineers, Carbon Capture Club, and the American Welding Society.  Additionally, Christina just recently participated in the NASA Blue Skies forum focused on the sustainability of aircraft fuel, where she and her team placed as finalists. Outside of school, Christina is a horticulture technician at Inniswood Metro Park, a welding engineering intern at American Electric Power, a recruiter for her department, a research assistant, and is seeking a private pilot license! Born and raised in Columbus, Christina has spent her whole life connected to the outdoor world and is determined to chase her passions! This includes a future of being a research engineer, combining her interests in aviation and sustainability to ensure a carbon-neutral future.

Elayna Foor- Elayna is an undergraduate student at Miami University studying biochemistry, neuroscience, and premedical studies. In her free time, she enjoys reading and participating in organizations such as Community Leadership Team (CLT), where she helps plan and host events for her residence hall. She is very proud of her family’s agricultural history and community connection, which she hopes to honor and contribute to in the future by serving as a physician. 

Zach Neville –  Zach is a graduate of Olentangy High School where he played baseball for and he was a 4-H member for 9 years. He is attending Hiram College to play baseball and study civil engineering or business.

Justin Hollick –Justin just finished his fourth semester at The Ohio State University as an environment and natural resource scholar in the forestry, fisheries, and wildlife major. Justin was involved in 4-H for 10 years and served on the Franklin County Junior Fair Board for six years. Currently, Justin is a member of the OSU Fish and Wildlife Society and serves on the Ohio State Class Gift Council. This summer he will be working with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency in the division of surface water as a fish sampling intern. He is grateful to the Franklin County Farm Bureau for supporting Franklin County youth and his college education.