MANSFIELD — A Mansfield Senior High School senior whose career goal is “to inspire young girls to follow their dreams and be independent, confident women” is Richland County’s recipient of the 2016 Franklin B. Walter Scholarship.
Grace Haring received the honor Monday during the annual Walter All-Scholastic Awards program at the Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center.
Haring was selected on the basis of academic grades, test scores, school activities and two written essays. One $500 scholarship winner was chosen from each of the three counties served by Mid-Ohio ESC – Richland, Crawford and Morrow. The Crawford County winner is Sidney Long of Buckeye Central while Collin Berg of Northmor was the Morrow County recipient.
In Richland County, Haring won among eligible seniors from the six districts involved with Mid-Ohio – Lexington, Lucas, Madison, Ontario, Plymouth-Shiloh and Mansfield City.
The scholarship, established by the Educational Service Centers Association, honors Franklin B. Walter, who served as state superintendent of public instruction from 1977 to 1991.
“I haven’t decided on a college yet but I plan to major in psychology and/or neuroscience,” Haring said. “I want to either pursue my Ph.D in psychology or attend medical school to become a psychiatrist.
“I want to be able to change people’s lives and to give young women the guidance they need to lead happy, fulfilling lives.”
In a positive impact essay required for the Walter scholarship application, Haring cited the enduring influence of Sue Bemiller, who was both her second- and fifth-grade teacher.
Acknowledging her “voracious appetite for reading,” even as a small child, Haring said it was Bemiller who accelerated her love for books and writing.
“I often felt like she was the only one who truly understood my obsession with the world of books,” Haring wrote. “My love of reading and writing has always been a part of me; however, I would not be anywhere near where I am today if not for the encouragement of the marvelous Ms. Bemiller.”
Haring is the first Mansfield Senior High student to win the scholarship in Richland County since the award was implemented approximately 10 years ago. She will attend a dinner in Columbus on April 13 when Walter scholarship winners from all 88 counties will be recognized.
“Grace is an exceptional young woman and an outstanding representative of Mansfield Senior High,” said Superintendent Brian Garverick. “I know that she will be very successful through college and in her career field.”
Haring ranks second academically in her senior class of 188 with a grade-point average of 3.957 on the 4.0 scale. Last year she was named a National Merit Scholar qualifier, which ranked her among the top 3.3 percent of 1.5 million students nationally who took the test.
An Ohio State Science Day winner as a sophomore, Haring has been involved in numerous organizations, including National Honor Society, French Club and Ohio Cardinal Conference Leadership Council. A three-year varsity swim team member, she served as captain the last two seasons. She is a certified Red Cross lifeguard.
Larry Gibbs is a spokesman for Mansfield City Schools.
