2024 Florence Allen Scholarship Recipients
$1000 – Jayla Galley | Cedarville University — Social Work
In the fall of 2024, Jayla will begin work on a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work at Cedarville University.
As a high school freshman Jayla and her family went on a mission trip to Ethiopia, her birthplace. In Addis Ababa, they visited 18 teenagers at an orphanage, where they played soccer and took them out to eat. She has a passion for serving the people of her native country. While at Cedarville, she hopes to participate in other mission trips.
While in high school, Jayla has part of “GirlStrong,” a mentoring program that empowers young girls to be healthy, strong and confident.
As a high school freshman Jayla and her family went on a mission trip to Ethiopia, her birthplace. In Addis Ababa, they visited 18 teenagers at an orphanage, where they played soccer and took them out to eat. She has a passion for serving the people of her native country. While at Cedarville, she hopes to participate in other mission trips.
While in high school, Jayla has part of “GirlStrong,” a mentoring program that empowers young girls to be healthy, strong and confident.
$1000 – Avery Vasko | University of Findlay — PreVet/Animal Sciences
A recent graduate of John Glenn High School, Avery will enter the University of Findlay where she’ll be a PreVet/Animal Sciences major. When her older siblings joined 4-H, she began showing her rabbits in peewee shows — as soon as she could carry them into the show ring.
Avery has begun breeding and raising sheep. She has 21 sheep, 4 goats and 12 rabbits. She has had internships at Bliss Veterinary Services and Duche Farms and volunteered at the Breaking Free Therapeutic Riding Center.
As Avery has gotten older, she has developed a broader interest in veterinary science and agriculture including legislation, genetics, public speaking, public policy, leadership, advocacy and the diversity of the agricultural community. Her long-term goal is to become a large animal veterinarian.
Avery has begun breeding and raising sheep. She has 21 sheep, 4 goats and 12 rabbits. She has had internships at Bliss Veterinary Services and Duche Farms and volunteered at the Breaking Free Therapeutic Riding Center.
As Avery has gotten older, she has developed a broader interest in veterinary science and agriculture including legislation, genetics, public speaking, public policy, leadership, advocacy and the diversity of the agricultural community. Her long-term goal is to become a large animal veterinarian.
$1000 – Jameria Blackmon | Kent State University — Digital Media Production
Entering her sophomore year at Kent State University, Jameria is majoring in Digital Media Production. Her goal is to become a film and TV editor.
On a family trip to Atlanta, Jameria visited CNN Studios to see how they produce a broadcast. She stood in front of the green screen while viewing the monitor in front of her. During her junior and senior years in high school, she has taken classes in Media Arts at a local career center. She has also interned as a production assistant at Cleveland’s Transition Studios and has obtained some Adobe industry certifications.
In high school, Jameria volunteered with the Greater Cleveland Foodbank, the Rock Church of Garfield Heights Food Pantry, and the Kevin Love Mental Health Foundation. At Kent, she works with the Flashes Fighting Hunger and Kupit/Transciones that helps incoming students acclimate to college.
As an African American woman, Jameria aspires to show other young African American women that they can succeed in the media industry..
On a family trip to Atlanta, Jameria visited CNN Studios to see how they produce a broadcast. She stood in front of the green screen while viewing the monitor in front of her. During her junior and senior years in high school, she has taken classes in Media Arts at a local career center. She has also interned as a production assistant at Cleveland’s Transition Studios and has obtained some Adobe industry certifications.
In high school, Jameria volunteered with the Greater Cleveland Foodbank, the Rock Church of Garfield Heights Food Pantry, and the Kevin Love Mental Health Foundation. At Kent, she works with the Flashes Fighting Hunger and Kupit/Transciones that helps incoming students acclimate to college.
As an African American woman, Jameria aspires to show other young African American women that they can succeed in the media industry..
$1000 – Aubree Neuhaus | Miami University — Accounting
As a first-year student at Miami University, Aubree will pursue a degree in accounting. Ultimately, she would like to obtain a master’s degree and become a CPA. She would like to get experience in the workplace by working at an accounting firm with a goal of helping other women gain an understanding of their finances, both personal and for a small business.
Aubree is a passionate figure skater, traveling often for practice and competition. In 2024, she received the US Figure Skating Gold Graduating Senior Award. Still, she finds time for Key Club projects that give back to veterans, nursing homes and elementary schools. She tutors other students in German, math, English, science and world history.
Aubree believes that when people worry less about their financial situation, they can devote more of their energy to the things that matter most to them.
Aubree is a passionate figure skater, traveling often for practice and competition. In 2024, she received the US Figure Skating Gold Graduating Senior Award. Still, she finds time for Key Club projects that give back to veterans, nursing homes and elementary schools. She tutors other students in German, math, English, science and world history.
Aubree believes that when people worry less about their financial situation, they can devote more of their energy to the things that matter most to them.
$500 – Emma Mueller | Bluffton University — English/TESOL
Emma is a senior at Bluffton University where she is majoring in English/TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). During the past year, she has had the opportunity to work in an ESL classroom with students from the first through eighth grade. She has also had the opportunity to teach traditional English to high school students at Delphos Jefferson High School. Both experiences have prepared her to make an informed decision when she enters the job market in 2025.
While at Bluffton, Emma was named Employee of the month at the Meadows of Delphos. She has received awards for poetry and essay writing. She has been a mentor for incoming first-year students at Bluffton.
While at Bluffton, Emma was named Employee of the month at the Meadows of Delphos. She has received awards for poetry and essay writing. She has been a mentor for incoming first-year students at Bluffton.
$500 – Kayla Niese | University of Findlay — Communications/Public Relations
For a long time, Kayla thought she would pursue a career path in the hospitality industry at a theme park. She thought the best way for her was to attend a culinary school to become a pastry chef. 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 ultimately full-time employment at Disney World.
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 ultimately full-time employment at Disney World.
$500 – Isabelle Ubelhart | Miami University — Biology - PreMed/Disability Studies
As a first grader, Kayla was diagnosed with Dyslexia, a learning disability in reading. Many doctors, therapists and teachers worked with her to help her succeed. This has led her to choose an education/career path as a doctor, either a pediatric cardiologist or neurologist.
This fall, Isabelle will enter Miami University where she will major in Biology with a co-major in Pre Med and a minor in Disability Studies and Neuroscience.
Isabelle is proud of the nearly 400 volunteer hours she has given during high school, including 200 hours at blood drives, special needs camps for children, and at Akron Children’s Hospital. She has a goal of volunteering 1,000 hours during college..
This fall, Isabelle will enter Miami University where she will major in Biology with a co-major in Pre Med and a minor in Disability Studies and Neuroscience.
Isabelle is proud of the nearly 400 volunteer hours she has given during high school, including 200 hours at blood drives, special needs camps for children, and at Akron Children’s Hospital. She has a goal of volunteering 1,000 hours during college..