2025 Florence Allen Scholarship Recipients
$1000 – DeLaney Begley | Bluffton University — Social Work/Psychology
DeLaney has completed her freshman year at Bluffton University, majoring in Social Work and a minor in Psychology. Long-term, she hopes to obtain an MSW (master’s degree) from The Ohio State University.
While maintaining a 4.0 GPA during her first year of college, she also found time to serve as a Student Assistant at the Lion and Lamb Peace Arts Center, a resource to help children gain a vision of peace and justice. In that role, she Helped facilitate the Japanese Culture Day.
She has been a volunteer note-taker for Bluffton’s Learning Resource Center and the Marbeck Mail Desk Student Assistant.
Before starting her freshman year at Bluffton, DeLany participated in a mission trip to Puerto Rico where she helped remodel a church for an elderly congregation.
While maintaining a 4.0 GPA during her first year of college, she also found time to serve as a Student Assistant at the Lion and Lamb Peace Arts Center, a resource to help children gain a vision of peace and justice. In that role, she Helped facilitate the Japanese Culture Day.
She has been a volunteer note-taker for Bluffton’s Learning Resource Center and the Marbeck Mail Desk Student Assistant.
Before starting her freshman year at Bluffton, DeLany participated in a mission trip to Puerto Rico where she helped remodel a church for an elderly congregation.
$1000 – Kayla Niese | University of Findlay — Communications
Kayla Niese is a second time recipient of a Florence Allen Scholarship. She has completed her freshman year at the University of Findlay where she is majoring in Communications.
For a long time, Kayla thought she would pursue a career path in the hospitality industry at a theme park. She planned to attend a culinary school to become a pastry chef and work at a theme park such as Disney World. Her hope was that each guest would leave with an unforgettable experience.
In 2022, Kayla had the opportunity to participate in the Cook Around the World Event at Disney World. At this event, she learned about many more ways to work in the hospitality field than by being a chef.
Kayla is now in her sophomore year as a Communications/Public Relations major at the University of Findlay. She hopes to pursue an internship and full-time employment at Disney World.
For a long time, Kayla thought she would pursue a career path in the hospitality industry at a theme park. She planned to attend a culinary school to become a pastry chef and work at a theme park such as Disney World. Her hope was that each guest would leave with an unforgettable experience.
In 2022, Kayla had the opportunity to participate in the Cook Around the World Event at Disney World. At this event, she learned about many more ways to work in the hospitality field than by being a chef.
Kayla is now in her sophomore year as a Communications/Public Relations major at the University of Findlay. She hopes to pursue an internship and full-time employment at Disney World.
$1000 – Adelaide Tamas | Bowling Green State University — Elementary Education
In the fall of 2025, Adelaide Tamas will enter Bowling Green State University where she will major in Elementary Education.
During her senior year at Northmont High School, she completed a fall semester pre-student teaching experience during which she worked four days a week in a third-grade classroom. After observing for a period of time, Addie worked one-on-one with students who needed assistance.
This spring, Northmont City Schools have hired her to work at Union Elementary as a tutor.
During high school, Addie participated in Drama Club, Spanish Club, DECA, Link Crew, Peer Facilitation and SADD. She is also a 3-year member of the Honor Society.
During her senior year at Northmont High School, she completed a fall semester pre-student teaching experience during which she worked four days a week in a third-grade classroom. After observing for a period of time, Addie worked one-on-one with students who needed assistance.
This spring, Northmont City Schools have hired her to work at Union Elementary as a tutor.
During high school, Addie participated in Drama Club, Spanish Club, DECA, Link Crew, Peer Facilitation and SADD. She is also a 3-year member of the Honor Society.
$1000 – Katherine Kunkle | University of California LA — Business Economics
A Revere High School (Richfield, OH) graduate, Katherine will start her sophomore year at the University of California LA majoring in Business Economics. Her goal is to build a career in Business that combines her interests in world cultures, entertainment, and social justice.
Traveling the Spain and France during high school made Katherine aware of how different cultures function.
Katie volunteered as a peer tutor, youth cheerleading coach, and leadership intern for Camp Invention. Her love of music led her to participate in choir and Revere Players.
Traveling the Spain and France during high school made Katherine aware of how different cultures function.
Katie volunteered as a peer tutor, youth cheerleading coach, and leadership intern for Camp Invention. Her love of music led her to participate in choir and Revere Players.
$1000 – Kaleigh Williams | Lake Erie College — Pre-Vet
Kaleigh Williams wants to become a poultry food supply veterinarian who works on a meat-producing turkey farm. She grew up on her family’s working farm.
She volunteers at Angels for Animals, Inc, a non-profit shelter and spay/neuter clinic. Each year, she has shown animals at the Canfield Fair and has been president of the Junior Fair Board. She donates flocks of broilers (chickens) to the homeless facility.
At Lake Erie College, she is a member of Choose Ohio First STEM Scholars, pre-vet club and student ambassador.
She volunteers at Angels for Animals, Inc, a non-profit shelter and spay/neuter clinic. Each year, she has shown animals at the Canfield Fair and has been president of the Junior Fair Board. She donates flocks of broilers (chickens) to the homeless facility.
At Lake Erie College, she is a member of Choose Ohio First STEM Scholars, pre-vet club and student ambassador.
$1000 – Abilgail Slack | Miami University — Primary and Special Education
As a freshman at Miami University, Abigail will pursue a major in Primary and Special Education. Her travels to Spain convinced her that she should also pursue TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. Her advanced Spanish proficiency enabled her to obtain the Seal of Biliteracy.
Abby participated in a Virtual Peace Corps Pilot Program with Marysville High School students and students from three high schools in Ukraine. Each Friday from January through March they shared typical teenage topics with their counterparts in the Ukraine.
Abby participated in a Virtual Peace Corps Pilot Program with Marysville High School students and students from three high schools in Ukraine. Each Friday from January through March they shared typical teenage topics with their counterparts in the Ukraine.
$750 – Emma Lavey | Bowling Green State University — Digital Arts
Emma Lavey is a freshman at Bowling Green State University where she’ll major in Digital Arts this fall. She hopes to pursue a career in illustration, perhaps as a concept artist or cartoonist.
Emma and her twin sister, Daphne, both participate in track and field events at Bradford High School. She was in Upper Valley Career Center’s Interactive Media Program, college credit plus.
She has recently taken a flex-apprenticeship position at a local funeral home where she is rebuilding their website and creating digital videos.
Emma and her twin sister, Daphne, both participate in track and field events at Bradford High School. She was in Upper Valley Career Center’s Interactive Media Program, college credit plus.
She has recently taken a flex-apprenticeship position at a local funeral home where she is rebuilding their website and creating digital videos.
$750 – Sofia Fedoriouk | The Ohio State University — Biochemisty
Sofia Fedoriouk will major in biochemistry this fall when she enters The Ohio State University.
MedTrack at Padua Franciscan High School, an award-winning honors science program where she took honors in Medical Terminology, Anatomy, and Physiology. MedTrack is an award-winning, four-year program through which exceptional students are able to explore different areas in the medical field.
Components of MedTrack are supported by various externships, research, field trips to hospitals and labs, professionalism training and speaker events. Sofia externed in general pediatrics at the Cleveland Clinic, in allergy and immunology at University Hospitals, and in pediatrics in children diagnosed with autism at LLA Therapy.
MedTrack at Padua Franciscan High School, an award-winning honors science program where she took honors in Medical Terminology, Anatomy, and Physiology. MedTrack is an award-winning, four-year program through which exceptional students are able to explore different areas in the medical field.
Components of MedTrack are supported by various externships, research, field trips to hospitals and labs, professionalism training and speaker events. Sofia externed in general pediatrics at the Cleveland Clinic, in allergy and immunology at University Hospitals, and in pediatrics in children diagnosed with autism at LLA Therapy.