ESC of Medina County recognizes top scholars across county's school districts

MEDINA — Students from each of Medina County's school districts were recognized for their achievement both in and out of school at the top scholars award program at the Medina County Career Center Monday. The Educational Service Center of Medina County started the program in 2007. Each district nominates a student to be recognized as a top scholar, and the selected student nominates a staff member who inspired them. Meah Cerne was the top scholar from Black River. She earned the governor's merit scholarship, a 30 ACT composite score and 48 college credits through College Credit Plus courses. She attends Ashland University full-time and plans to study architecture at the Ohio State University. She also participated in Power of the Pen, placed third in a college writing contest and published work in Medina County Inkspot. Cerne nominated science teacher Clayton Van Doren as her inspiration. "Dr. V has been everything a good student needs in a role model: fun, engaging, motivating while challenging you in the process," she said. "In the classroom, I truly felt like he wanted me to succeed, and I know others feel the same." Brunswick student Claire Landfried is the top-ranked student in her graduating class. She has taken advanced placement, College Credit Plus and honors courses. She also participated in National Honor Society and LINK. Landfried also a two-time varsity soccer captain. She nominated her coach and language arts teacher Scott Ward. "I can easily say that he is the best coach that I've ever had, but more importantly he has helped me grow as a person," she said. "He has instilled the confidence in me to be a leader on and off the field." Holden Shearer represented Buckeye at the event. He has taken advanced placement and college courses, and he is on track to earn an associate degree from Tri-C along with his high school diploma. He also participates in student council, unified champions, freshmen mentors and hope squad. Shearer is the class president as well. He selected math teacher Neal Call as his inspiration. "Mr. Call thoroughly covered each topic and answered all my questions," he said. "Additionally, I was able to connect with Mr. Call on a personal level. He would always ask about my weekends and talk a little about what was new in his life." Cloverleaf student Joseph Armogida also takes dvanced Placement, College Credit Plus and honors courses. He is an advanced placement scholar and plans to go to the University of Cincinnati to study medical sciences on the premed track. Outside of class, Armogida is a varsity soccer player who has played in three conference championships. Science teacher Marty Ryan was selected as his inspiration. "Mr. Ryan has pushed me academically, allowing me to grow as a person," he said. "In doing this, he has made his classes enjoyable and given me life skills to be able to receive this award and succeed." Alexandra Haynes from Highland is the captain of the tennis team and was named as MVP for both Medina County and the Suburban League. She was a 2023 state singles qualifier and a 2024 state doubles qualifier. Haynes also participates in debate, which she qualified for the state championship three years in a row, and is an active member of the Girl Scouts. Language arts teacher Bruce Folkerth was her inspiration. "He gifted me the necessary foundation and confidence to excel in every aspect of my life, something for which I will forever be grateful," she said. Medina student Varum Rodrigues takes college-level math courses, has done research at Case Western Reserve and is involved in a NASA STEM group. He has won piano composition competitions multiple times and led a fundraising initiative for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. His inspiration nominee Brian Dudek teaches math and is Rodrigues' cross country coach. "As my coach, he's helped me become the best version of myself, working around my atypical schedule," he said. "Finally, coach Dudek has helped me develop discipline, teaching me to work on the small things both as a student and an athlete." Beatrice Eberl attends the Medina County Career Center. She has a cumulative 4.5 GPA through taking multiple advanced placement and college courses. She is also involved in National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Camp Invention and Wreaths Across America. Her Project Lead the Way teacher Lawrence Wolf was her inspiration. "What I learned in Mr. Wolf's class left a huge impact on me as I figured out what I wanted to do," she said. "Mr. Wolf is such an amazing teacher who truly cares for his students who are passionate about engineering." Wadsworth student Kai Close has a 4.47 grade-point average and has taken advanced placement and College Credit Plus courses. He is the president of student council and is involved in peer mentoring, hope squad, National Honor Society and grizzly leaders. Close is a four-year letter winner in baseball and was named twice to the all-district team and the all-suburban team. His nominatee was science teacher Aaron Austin. "He has always inspired me to push my limits as a student," he said. "He always challenges not just myself, but all of his students to ensure that they are ready and prepared for the next-level of whatever it is they want to do." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.