ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS
ANNOUNCING THE RON HUBER SCHOLARSHIP
January 9, 2024
The Lima Shawnee Scholarship Fund is honored to announce a new scholarship, named in honor of Ron Huber, a Shawnee coach, teacher, and administrator who dedicated over thirty years to improving the lives of Shawnee High School Students.
Ron is a 1964 graduate of Lima Senior High School. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Bluffton College in the Spring of 1967 and is a member of the Bluffton University Athletic Hall of Fame. An outstanding tennis player, Ron was undefeated in regular season play during his college tennis career, with his only loss in the quarterfinals of the NAIA national tournament. He went on to win the Lima city singles and doubles titles multiple times in the 1970s.
Ron began his thirty-year association with Shawnee in the Fall of 1967. Over the next thirty years he was a Social Studies teacher, tennis coach, and assistant principal at SHS before retiring from Shawnee in the Spring of 1998.
Coach Huber’s Shawnee High School teams won 12 Western Buckeye League boys titles and 8 WBL girls crowns. He coached a state-champion doubles team and a three-time individual state champion. Dozens of his former players went on to play college tennis, many at the Division I level. His high school coaching record was 446-127, at one point the eighth best among Ohio tennis coaches.
More than just a tennis coach, Ron was an excellent teacher, and in 1990 was named Ohio History Teacher of the Year. After he earned his master's degree in educational administration from the University of Dayton, he became assistant principal of Shawnee High School. Upon retirement in 1998, Ron was able to devote more of his time to another of his passions – rare books – and today operates an on-line bookstore specializing in used and rare books. Still, he couldn’t leave tennis behind, and in 2011 Ron returned to Bluffton University as the women’s tennis coach, resurrecting the program after a two year absence.
Ron’s commitment to the students whose lives he touched is still evident today. Michael Jones, a 1975 Shawnee graduate, state qualifier as a member of the tennis team while at Shawnee, and currently an attorney in Westerville, OH, is one of the originators of this tribute. “Coach Huber was an outstanding teacher and coach,” said Mr. Jones, “but first and foremost he is a great person. As I realize how fortunate I was to attend Shawnee and experience the positive influence Coach Huber had on my life, it is truly an honor to be a small part knowing that Coach Huber will be forever remembered and associated with helping a deserving student fulfill his or her dreams.”
Jim Goldman, also a 1975 SHS graduate, and Mr. Jones’ doubles team partner at the state championships, credits Coach Huber as an inspiration for his love for the game. “It has been my good fortune to have had such a wonderful coach and mentor,” said Mr. Goldman. “As I reflect on my playing days at Shawnee, Ron was a catalyst for many wonderful life-long memories. This pay it forward scholarship is consistent with Coach Huber's efforts over the years to positively impact all those he touched."
This scholarship is open to all Shawnee graduating seniors and will provide a $2,000 grant to any graduate continuing their education at a two- or four-year university, vocational school, or trades-based program. Additional consideration will be given to those students who were involved in community or extra-curricular activities, maintained a job outside of school, or had other unique qualifications.
Dr. John Stechschulte, a 1973 SHS graduate, is a driving force behind the J. Ronald Huber Scholarship. A four-year member of the tennis team, John summarizes quite well the reason for this tribute. “Coach Huber has always been a treasured teacher, tremendous coach, and trusted school colleague. He is known for his deep and genuine care of those with whom he interacts. That is why he can remember everyone at SHS, and even tell a funny or touching story about our fellow students and teammates as well as our teachers. SHS will always remember and thank Mr. Ron Huber.”
The J. Ronald Huber Scholarship is actively accepting donations with the hope that as it grows, it will be able to provide much needed support to many graduates in the years ahead. To make a contribution to the J. Ronald Huber Scholarship Fund, or to find out more about the Shawnee Scholarship Program, please visit www.LimaShawneeScholarshipFund.org.
ANNOUNCING THE THOMAS AND CAROLYN FRAIL FAMILY FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP
December 18, 2022
The Lima Shawnee Scholarship Fund is honored to announce the Thomas and Carolyn Frail Scholarship. This scholarship was created by the family of Tom and Carolyn Frail as a lasting legacy and memorial tribute to honor the exemplary and selfless way they lived their lives serving their family, their friends, and their community. This endowed scholarship will provide a $2,000 grant to a graduating senior who demonstrates a hard work ethic and respect for others while striving to make the world around them a better place.
Tom and Carolyn’s commitment to education, service, and their faith exemplified lifelong altruistic principles of integrity, sincerity, and grace which have been passed on to those whose lives were touched by their generosity and kindness.
“The Thomas and Carolyn Frail family is proud and honored to afford this legacy scholarship ensuring academic and prolific excellence for generations of Shawnee graduates to come,” said Tom Waltz, a 2006 Shawnee graduate and grandson of Thomas and Carolyn Frail.
Tom and Carolyn were both born and raised in Lima, Ohio, and were 1953 graduates of the Lima Central High School. Tom attended BGSU for one year and was then drafted into the US Army. He served as a paratrooper in the 11th Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. After his honorable discharge in 1956, Tom completed his college education at Bluffton College where he received his BS in education.
Tom went on to teach and coach in the Lima City and Bath School districts before coming to Shawnee Schools in 1967. While at Shawnee, Tom inspired many students as a teacher, coach, and athletic director before retiring in 1986. In honor of his many years of dedication and service, Tom was inducted into the Shawnee High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 1991.
Carolyn attended Ohio University in Athens, Ohio where she received her teaching certificate. She taught at Washington McKinley Elementary School in Lima and then was a Pre-School teacher and Administrator at High Street United Methodist Church for 19 years. Following their retirement from teaching, Tom and Carolyn spent many hours serving their community by volunteering at Lima Memorial Health System and their church. They were awarded the Golden Deeds Award by the Lima Exchange Club in 2010 for their service to LMHS, their community, and their church.
Tom and Carolyn were both lifelong teachers and educators, impacting the lives of countless students while instilling values of service, continual learning, and gratitude. They were staunch supporters and advocates of the Shawnee School System and proud of Shawnee’s commitment to academic and community excellence. Tom and Carolyn fostered two generations of Shawnee graduates through their daughters, Laura (Frail) Waltz (79) and Natalie (Frail) Schaublin (81), and grandchildren, Tom Waltz (06) and Katy Jo (Waltz) Thompson (10).
The Lima Shawnee Scholarship Fund was created to honor and provide support to Shawnee graduates. To find out more about the Lima Shawnee Scholarship Fund, please visit us at www.LimaShawneeScholarshipFund.org.
ANNOUNCING THE KIRK FAMILY FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP
May 1, 2022
The Lima Shawnee Scholarship Fund is privileged to announce the Kirk Family Foundation Scholarship. Created by donor Everett "Butch" Kirk III, the endowed scholarship will provide an initial $2,000 grant to a graduating senior interested in pursuing an education in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM). The scholarship is in honor of three generations of the Kirk Family who have attended Shawnee Local Schools.
Mr. Kirk is a 1971 graduate of Lima Shawnee High School. After receiving his B.S. in Business Administration from Bowling Green State University, he and his grandfather, Everett S. Kirk, Sr. founded the International Tank Service, Inc. and today serves as President and CEO. A lifelong resident of the Lima area, Butch is involved in many community organizations past and present. He is currently a trustee of Rhodes State College and a member of the Heir Force Community School Board. He is past president of the Lima Family YMCA, past president of the Lima Rotary Foundation, past fund chair of the Boy Scouts of America, trustee for the John H. Keller Fund, and a past board member of Allen Lima Leadership. Mr. Kirk is also a member of the Lima Community Foundation Board of Directors, the 501(c)(3) administrator for the scholarship fund.
“The Kirk Family is honored and blessed to afford this endowment ensuring academic scholarships for future Shawnee High School Students. In God We Trust.” - Everett “Butch” Kirk, III
We are honored that Mr. Kirk has chosen the Lima Shawnee Scholarship Fund to support Shawnee graduates by establishing the Kirk Family Foundation Scholarship.
ANNOUNCING THE STEVEN J. GORDON SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
December 9, 2021
The Lima Shawnee Scholarship Fund is pleased to announce a new scholarship for Shawnee graduating seniors - the Steven J. Gordon Scholarship. Mr. Gordon is a 1993 Shawnee graduate, and the 2014 recipient of the Shawnee Distinguished Alumni Award.
While in high school, Steve participated in football and student government. After Shawnee, he earned a bachelor’s degree in Finance from Penn State University. In 2010, Mr. Gordon began granting scholarships for Shawnee seniors in recognition of their outstanding leadership and service to the school. Between 2010 and today, Steve and his wife Ariele have awarded scholarships ranging in value from $500 to $5,000 to 90 students, with total grants reaching nearly $100,000. In addition to his support of Shawnee graduates, he has been a major contributor to the Kathie Naab Conwell Memorial Scholarship.
Steve currently works in Commercial Real Estate Finance in New York City where he resides with his wife Ariele, and three children - Sammy (11), Ryan (9), and Leia (5). Steve currently serves on the advisory boards of the Lima Shawnee Alumni-Legacy Scholarship Fund, the Harmonie Club, and previously served on the Penn State Real Estate Board.
We are honored that he has chosen the Lima Shawnee Scholarship Fund to continue his generosity by establishing the Steven J. Gordon Scholarship Award.
ANNOUNCING THE ZARZAR - PORTMANN SCHOLARSHIP FOR MEDICINE
November 6, 2021
The Lima Shawnee Scholarship Fund is privileged to announce our most recent named scholarship: the Zarzar - Portmann Scholarship for Medicine. Created by donors Rik Portmann and Bob Zarzar, this endowed scholarship will provide an annual $5,000 grant to graduating seniors interested in pursuing a career in the field of medicine. The scholarship is in honor of their fathers, physicians who served the Lima community for many years.
Mr. Portmann is a 1969 graduate of Lima Shawnee High School. Rik graduated from The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business in 1973 and went on to own businesses in the transportation and distribution industries. He currently resides on the west coast of Florida.
“I feel it's important to assist in all areas of education,” said Mr. Portmann. “Education offers the largest single support to one's personal growth. For once you have the knowledge, it lasts a lifetime and no one may take it from you.”
Mr. Zarzar is also a 1969 graduate of Lima Shawnee High School. After receiving his Bachelor of Science in Economics at the University of Michigan, he continued his education at Michigan and received his MBA in Accountancy. A CPA, Bob was a partner with Price Waterhouse and PriceWaterhouseCoopers. Mr. Zarzar served on the board of directors of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and was chair of the AICPA’s Tax Executive Committee. He currently resides outside of Washington, DC, in Oakton, VA.
"Shawnee has graduated so many students that have had important, positive influences in their communities,” said Mr. Zarzar. “It is my hope that this scholarship will help continue that legacy of which we all are tremendously proud."
ANNOUNCING THE KEITH AND DEBORAH WANDELL NAMED SCHOLARSHIP
May 1, 2021
The Lima Shawnee Scholarship Fund is honored to announce the single largest gift in the short history of the fund. Through the generosity of donors Keith and Deborah Wandell, the Lima Shawnee Alumni-Legacy Scholarship Fund will establish its first named scholarship – the Keith and Deborah Wandell Scholarship.
“It is a privilege to announce this transformational gift,” said Bob Zarzar, Chair of the Stewardship Committee for the fund. “This $100,000 gift will provide endowed resources to directly support graduating seniors today, and for generations to come, as they pursue their education on the way to becoming our next leaders.”
A 1968 graduate of Shawnee High School, Mr. Wandell is the retired President, CEO, and Chairman of Harley-Davidson Inc. He is also the lead independent director of the Dana Incorporated board of directors. Mr. Wandell received an undergraduate degree from Ohio University and an MBA from the University of Dayton.
About the Lima Shawnee Scholarship Fund
The Lima Shawnee Scholarship Fund was created in 2019 through the Lima Community Foundation. It is a great opportunity for donors to honor the special people at Shawnee who contributed toward their success, or the success of friends and family. It is a simple way to honor the many generations who have attended Shawnee over the past 100 years.
Donations, gifts, and pledges of any size may be made in honor or celebration of an individual or group. Named scholarships are also available. A named scholarship helps meet the needs of students while providing the opportunity to reflect the specific interests, accomplishments, or desires of a donor in a particular academic or vocational area.
More information may be found at www.LimaShawneeScholarshipFund.org or on Facebook at Lima Shawnee Alumni-Legacy Scholarship. Contributions may be made directly through the website. Additional questions may be directed to Bob Zarzar at razarzar@aol.com, Tom Orchard at 2taorchard@gmail.com or at info@LimaShawneeScholarshipFund.org.
2026-2027
100th Anniversary of Shawnee High School's first graduating class! Mark your calendar now to celebrate the 100th graduating class of Shawnee High School.