MANSFIELD, Ohio — There were plenty of smiles, a few tears and even a fist bump or two when eight Richland County high school students were recognized Tuesday afternoon at the Mansfield Rotary Club’s 48th Rotary McGowan Courage Award luncheon held at the Holiday Inn.
“This is one of our most anticipated events of the year. We so enjoy this program and honoring these courageous students,” Mansfield Rotary Club President and 2015 Courage Award Committee Co-Chair Kristie Massa said. “I never fail to leave here inspired and with my make-up smeared.”
The Mansfield Rotary Club began handing out the courage award in 1968 at the urging of Brigadier Bill McGowan to recognize students who have demonstrated courage in the face of adversity. The award, which was named after McGowan in 1990, has been presented to more than 280 students through the years.
“It has been an honor to be a part of this,” said Mike Casto, who has served as the Courage Award Committee for more than a decade. “Every Rotarian who has participated in this program has found it very rewarding.”
The 2015 award recipients were Mansfield Senior’s Talia Clifton, Crestview’s Luke Frazier, Lexington’s Emmy Freebern, Clear Fork’s Jonah Albert, Madison’s Daniel Shafer, St. Peter’s Joshua Bradshaw, Mansfield Christian’s Ryan Smith and Lucas’ Paige Sauder. (Their full bios can be read at left.)
Clifton has Spinal Muscular Atrophy disease, a genetic disorder causing a slow progressive weakness and mobility impairment. There is no know cure, but in spite of her condition, she says “I can’t give up and I can’t get angry.
Frazier was diagnosed with Autism and has overcome his social obstacles by actively participating in his sports and academics. He has won many medals on the Special Olympics swim team as well as participating on school athletic teams.
Freebern was born with congenital limb anomalies of all four limbs, a result of a rare condition called Moebius Syndrome. She is also missing the facial nerves on the left side of her face and is blind in her left eye. She is very creative, has a flair for fashion and loves to sing and sings beautifully.
Albert has battled severe, life threatening allergies and worked through challenges. He was recruited to play football and has accepted admittance into will attend Bluefield State College in West Virginia.
Shafer was diagnosed with autism in 2000 and by working with therapists, he no longer needs therapy and is in inclussion classes at school. He performed in a number of school programs and has applied to the Project Search Program at MedCentral Hospital.
Bradshaw not only has Legg-Perthes disease, a childhood disorder to his leg bones, in the last year he has lost many important family to death–including his father.
He has continued to engage in his school activities including the baseball team, in an effort to continue live a life that his father would be proud of.
Ryan Smith was a standout athlete at a young age excelling in basketball, soccer, and baseball and had a promising high school athletic career when he suffered serious back and knee injuries. He was diagnosed as having Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, a disorder that causes a defect in the production of collagen in the joints. He plans to attend Cedarville University, majoring in Pre-Physical Therapy.
Paige Sauder has had to endure some very traumatic family issues in her young life. While her family situation has now stabilized, it hasn’t always been free from serious obstacles. She will be the first member of her family to graduate high school and she has persevered to her earn her place as one of the top students in her class having been selected for the OHSAA scholar-athlete scholarship competition.
She is a three-sport athlete, active in the FFA program, Student Council, class officer, and works on the yearbook and prom committees. After school Paige is involved in her church youth group, Big Brother Big Sister, National Honor Society, Leo Club, Safety Town, and works part-time. She plans to attend Akron University.
Each winner will receive a $1,000 monetary education fund award courtesy of the Mansfield Rotary Club Foundation, Ohio Health Med Central Hospitals and Richland Bank. Recipients also received a commemorative plaque, recognition certificates and proclamations from U.S. Congressmen Pat Tiberi and Bob Gibbs, Mansfield Mayor Tim Theaker and the Richland County Board of Commissioners and an American flag that has flown over the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Theaker, county commissioners Marilyn John and Gary Utt and representatives from the the offices of Tiberi and Gibbs attended Tuesday’s luncheon.
“We all know our society pays tribute to and also rewards mediocrity. Often they do this to be politically correct,” Casto said. “We also have a tendency to recognize and exonerate those who we would consider celebrities or those performing in a spectacular or superficial way. As Bill McGowan put it, ‘Society often overcompensates mediocrity while lightly passing over acts of extra courage, effort and excellence.’
“He added, ‘Stamina and tenacity oft prevails where flashes of brilliance at times fails.’ Today it is our pleasure to recognize eight students from our local schools … who have met the criteria for our club’s award.”
(Updated to included omitted awardee Paige Sauder)
“We so enjoy this program and honoring these courageous students,” Mansfield Rotary Club President and 2015 Courage Award Committee Co-Chair Kristie Massa said. “I never fail to leave here inspired and with my make-up smeared.”
