The 35th annual West Branch High School Senior Academic Recognition Banquet was held on Wednesday, May 14, at the Almost Home Event Center in Sebring. This year’s banquet honored 16 students who are in the top ten percent of the Class of 2025. From left, front row, Wyatt Meisenheimer, Lauren Cameron, Clarice Martin, Isabel Martig, Blakelynn Waugaman, Ragan Greeneisen, Neely E. Gillingham, Declan Gruver; back row, Peter Blanchard, Caden Zion, Cole Phillips, Cooper Anderson, Jack Flickinger, James Mincks, Boston Mulinix and Carson Graham. (Photo courtesy of Dunlap Photography)

BELOIT – The 35th annual West Branch High School Senior Academic Recognition Banquet was held on Wednesday, May 14, at the Almost Home Event Center in Sebring.

This year’s banquet honored 16 students who are in the top ten percent of the Class of 2025 along with their parents and a teacher chosen by each honored senior. The seniors selected the educator who most significantly influenced their educational career.

Brian Coffee, principal of West Branch High School, welcomed the guests and served as master of ceremonies. Micki Egli, superintendent of West Branch Schools, along with West Branch High School Assistant Principal Penny DeShields, recognized the students’ accomplishments as they were honored. Peter Blanchard, West Branch High School senior, gave the invocation.

The evening’s celebration was planned by the Academic Recognition Banquet Committee which included Coffee, Jill Boyle, Treva Cline, Suzanne Denny, Mona McNeely and Lori Schlueter.

The 16 students, who celebrated their academic excellence over a four-year period, along with their parents and selected teacher, were:

— Cooper Anderson, son of Jim and Kristen Anderson of Alliance. Cooper plans to study Sport Industry and minor in Digital Marketing at The Ohio State University. Activities include First team EBC Basketball, Second team All-Northeast Inland District Basketball, EBC Scholar Athlete Award for football and basketball. Cooper selected his high school varsity football coach and middle school science and math teacher, Tim Cooper.

— Peter Blanchard, son of Matt and Becky Blanchard of Salem. Peter plans to study Chemical Engineering and minor in Music Performance at Akron University. He has been offered a Governor’s Merit Scholarship, a Merit Scholarship at OSU, Miami University, Akron and Toledo, a Williams Honors College Scholarship, a Miami University Music Scholarship, a Sherwin-Williams Scholarship and a Choose Ohio First STEM Scholarship. Activities include National Honor Society member, Drum major of the WBHS Marching Band (two years), Principal Oboist and English Hornist of Canton Youth Symphony Advanced Orchestra (three years). Peter selected his high school Chemistry and AP Biology teacher, Tara Robb.

— Lauren Cameron, daughter of Andy Cameron and Marge Cameron of Beloit. Lauren plans to study Field Ecology and Zoology at the Honors Tutorial College at Ohio University. She has been offered a Governor’s Merit Scholarship and an Honors Tutorial College Premier Scholarship. Activities include three-year letter winner in competitive swimming, Academic Challenge varsity member, Art Club Vice President. Lauren selected her high school English teacher, Mary Jo Kidd.

— Jack Flickinger, son of Todd Flickinger of North Georgetown and Amanda Starcher of Salem. Jack plans to study finance at Baldwin Wallace University. He has been offered a Merit Scholarship. Activities include All Ohio Football honorable mention, 1st Team Northeast Ohio in football, 1st Team EBC in football. Jack selected his high school football coach, Cameron Martig.

— Neely E. Gillingham, daughter of Kevin and Erin Gillingham of Homeworth. Neely plans to study Nursing at Kent State University (Salem). Activities include three-year letter winner in cheerleading, Leadership training in Christ, Competition Cheer Captain. Neely selected her high school English teacher, Colleen Hermann.

— Carson Graham, son of Ed and Heather Graham of Salem. Carson plans to study Biological Science at Akron University. He has been offered an Akron University Merit Scholarship. Activities include WBHS Football team captain, Elk’s Student of the Month, EBC Honorable mention for football. Carson selected his high school football coach, Nick Cooper.

— Ragan Greeneisen, daughter of Mike and Jennifer Greeneisen of Salem. Ragan plans to study Biology at the University of Findlay. She has been offered a Governor’s Merit Scholarship, a University of Findlay Trustee’s Scholarship, a University of Findlay Volleyball Scholarship. Activities include National Honor Society Vice President, All-Ohio Honorable mention in volleyball, Selected for the Women’s Leadership Summit. Ragan selected her high school volleyball coach, Penny DeShields.

— Declan Gruver, son of Dale and Jill Gruver of Alliance. Declan plans to study English/Writing at the University of Mount Union. He has been offered a Founders Scholarship. Activities include employed at Almost Heaven for three years, attends Damascus Friends Church and is involved in the Youth Group, has built over 100 Lego sets. Declan selected his fifth-grade science teacher, Tonya Edie.

— Isabel Martig, daughter of Crist and Yenere Martig of Salem. Isabel plans to study Animal Science at The Ohio State University. She has been offered an Ohio State University Provost Scholarship. Activities include Goshen Good Growers 4-H Club member, National Honor Society member, Fellowship of Christian Athletes member. Isabel selected her high school geometry teacher, Beth Cooley.

— Clarice Martin, daughter of James and Darleen Martin of North Benton. Clarice plans to study Chemistry and Biology at Baldwin Wallace University. She has been offered a Governor’s Merit Scholarship and a Choose Ohio First Scholarship. Activities include National Honor Society member, OHSAA State Cross Country qualifier and academic All Ohio, First team all EBC cross country. Clarice selected her high school World History and AP U.S. History teacher, Angie Mulinix.

— Wyatt Meisenheimer, son of Ryan and Bobbi Hoffmeyer of Allliance. Wyatt plans to study Biochemistry at Kent State University. Activities include Varsity Academic Challenge member, supporting roles in Beauty and the Beast and Les Miserables, Young and Alive member. Wyatt selected his high school AP Government teacher, Shane Blommel.

— James Mincks, son of Michael Mincks of North Benton and Bonnie Michalek of North Jackson. James plans to study Mechanical Engineering at University of Akron. He has been offered an Akron Merit Scholarship. Activities include 4.0 GPA for entire 2022-23 school year, October Student of the Month, 4.0 GPA first semester of 2024. James selected his high school Engineering/Construction teacher, Rodger Sharp.

— Boston Mulinix, son of Rick and Angie Mulinix of North Benton. Boston plans to study Business Analytics and Finance at Baldwin Wallace University. He has been offered a Governor’s Merit Scholarship and a Baldwin Wallace President’s Scholarship. Activities include Class Valedictorian and Commencement Speaker, National Honor Society President, holder of eight WBHS school records in football. Boston selected his high school Geometry/Trigonometry teacher, Regina Solak.

— Cole Phillips, son of Brandi Phillips of Sebring. Cole plans to continue working full time at J.S. Bova Excavating. Activities include multiple qualifications and certifications in the industrial field, member of Damascus Methodist Church mission trips in 2022 and 2023. Cole selected his Mahoning County Career and Technical Center truck and diesel lab teacher, Joe Merritt.

— Blakelynn Waugaman, daughter of Brian and Nikol Waugaman of Sebring. Blakelynn plans to study nursing at Aultman College of Nursing. She has been offered an Aultman College Caduceus Scholarship. Activities include National Honor Society member, varsity letter winner in cheerleading, 4.0 GPA Honor Roll. Blakelynn selected her high school Spanish teacher, Erica Ross.

— Caden Zion, son of Chris and Amanda Zion of Beloit. Caden plans an electrical apprenticeship with the Youngstown Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee to become an Inside/Commercial Electrician. He has been offered a Governor’s Merit Scholarship. Activities include Class Valedictorian, National Technical Honor Society member, four-year letter winner/ EBC Player of the Year for High School Boys Tennis. Caden selected his Mahoning County Career and Technical Center American Government and American History teacher, Jason Campbell.