Ohio Lieutenant Governor Jim Tressel delivered the keynote address during Wednesday night’s 2026 Ohio Hi-Point Convocation Ceremony, encouraging graduates to focus on attitude, work ethic, character, and surrounding themselves with people who help them grow as they begin the next chapter of their lives.
Tressel, who led The Ohio State University to the 2002 national championship and won four national titles as head coach at Youngstown State University, told students he has spent decades watching young people grow into successful adults through athletics, education, and leadership.
During his remarks, Tressel listed what he calls ‘common denominators’ in seeing young people grow into successful careers. He said one of the biggest signs he consistently saw in successful young people was their attitude, specifically mentioning what he called an “attitude of gratitude.”
He told graduates that talent and skill matter, but attitude is often what separates those who succeed from those who struggle. Tressel said people who show up with a positive attitude, a willingness to work, and respect for others often create more opportunities for themselves throughout life and their careers.
Tressel also encouraged students to surround themselves with people who challenge them, support them, and make them better. He stressed the importance of building strong relationships, staying involved in their communities, and continuing to grow through teamwork, service, and leadership opportunities.
He told graduates that getting involved — whether through work, volunteer efforts, school activities, or community organizations — can open doors, build connections, and help develop the skills needed for long-term success.
Tressel emphasized that the attitude students carry into the workplace, college, military, or apprenticeship programs will impact how far they go professionally and personally.
ALL PHOTO CREDIT TO GARY KAUFFMAN.
In a pre-ceremony interview, Tressel spoke on what makes career academies like Hi-Point across the state special and what gets him excited about the future of the young professionals in Ohio.
The convocation ceremony celebrated graduates from districts across the Ohio Hi-Point region and was carried live by PeakofOhioTV.
The full replay of the ceremony is available to watch for free on PeakofOhioTV HERE.
Over 300 students from across the Ohio Hi-Point Career Center district were recognized during the ceremony, celebrating graduates from career-technical programs ranging from Animal Science and Welding & Fabrication to Health Careers, Cybersecurity, Engineering, Heavy Equipment Operations, and many others.
The Class of 2026 included students representing Bellefontaine, Benjamin Logan, Graham, Indian Lake, Kenton, Marysville, Mechanicsburg, Riverside, Ridgemont, Triad, Urbana, Upper Scioto Valley, Waynesfield-Goshen, West Liberty-Salem, homeschool programs, and additional partner schools throughout the region.
The ceremony was hosted by Luke Hensel of the Heavy Equipment Operations program and Kyan Thomas of Construction Trades. Senior student speakers Kaylena Ahnutae of the Health Careers Academy and Richiona Burnell of Cosmetology addressed classmates during the evening ceremony.
Graduates were also recognized for academic achievement, technical excellence, leadership, and scholarship awards. Students in the Class of 2026 were awarded more than $1 million in scholarships and grants, in addition to several full-tuition scholarship offers and tuition reimbursement programs that were not assigned a dollar amount in the program.
Those awards included major scholarships from colleges and organizations such as The Ohio State University, Clark State College, Ohio Northern University, Wittenberg University, Mount Mercy University, and many others.
2026 Ohio Hi-Point Convocation Graduates
Animal Science
- Emilie Alcorn (Graham)
- Haeleigh Arnold (Urbana)
- Kayla Bryant (Mechanicsburg)
- Alayna Burnham (Mechanicsburg)
- Brady Chapman (Waynesfield-Goshen)
- Alivia Gillenwater (Bellefontaine)
- Evelyn Hughes (Bellefontaine)
- Kaden Lillard (Riverside)
- Nora Mowrey (Urbana)
- Emma Nicol (Marysville)
- Keira Penrod (Bellefontaine)
- Allison Quick (Marysville)
- Aubri Stokes (Urbana)
- Allison Triplett (Triad)
- Lilian Weese (Riverside)
- Madilynn Zedeker (Bellefontaine)
- Elliana Zimmerman (Triad)
Automotive Academy
- Brayden Albaugh (Graham)
- Bannon Brown (Kenton)
- Paul Brown (Riverside)
- Chasetan Daniels (Indian Lake)
- Joshua Dankworth (Ridgemont)
- Samuel Dunn (Graham)
- Zane Errett (Graham)
- Chase Fink (Benjamin Logan)
- Jason Friend (Riverside)
- Isaak Hay (Bellefontaine)
- Nehemiah Hayes (Triad)
- Wayne Hines (Indian Lake)
- Jade Kirk (Marysville)
- Katherine Lopez (Bellefontaine)
- Jacob McNutt (Bellefontaine)
- Ayden Mees (Riverside)
- Jordan Moore (Kenton)
- Ayden Powell (Kenton)
- Dalton Powell (Upper Scioto Valley)
- Harbor Price (Graham)
- Keaton Snipes (Benjamin Logan)
- Ezekial Taulbee (Graham)
- Angel Venett (Benjamin Logan)
Construction Trades
- Hunter Cooper (Graham)
- Ian Cox (West Liberty-Salem)
- Michael Finegan (Marysville)
- Michael Gregg (Triad)
- Amarion Hertsel (Urbana)
- Lilly Hyder (Benjamin Logan)
- Reid Legge (Riverside)
- Kalven Linebaugh (Benjamin Logan)
- Zhander Moore (Urbana)
- Ethan Speirs-Johnson (Kenton)
- Jarrett Stahler (Riverside)
- Naaman Stidham (West Liberty-Salem)
- Kyan Thomas (Marysville)
- Leland Warner (Riverside)
- Ce’Jay Watson (Riverside)
Cosmetology
- Richiona Burnell (Bellefontaine)
- Josie Calhoon (Marysville)
- Cahle Carruthers (Indian Lake)
- Maria Casanas Mejias (Bellefontaine)
- Angel Coleman (Bellefontaine)
- Katelynn Jackson (Bellefontaine)
- Kaelynne Jones (Indian Lake)
- Sophia Loyer (Marysville)
- Kylinn Powell (Marysville)
- Destiny Ramirez (Urbana)
- Lilly Rose (Indian Lake)
- Makayla Rowley (Urbana)
- Lexie Stump (Waynesfield-Goshen)
- Carley Toops (Marysville)
- Audrie Williams (Urbana)
Spa Technologies
- Belen Abrego (Benjamin Logan)
- Baileigh Engle (West Liberty-Salem)
- Ariana Garcia-Franklin (Urbana)
- Ellah Heminger (Calvary Christian)
- Maleah Linebaugh (Benjamin Logan)
- Elliana Mattox (Graham)
- Paige McComas (Bellefontaine)
- Madison Middleton (Marysville)
- Halle Ruby (Homeschool)
- Jahna Sloat (Urbana)
- Gwen Sneary (Kenton)
- Madison Taylor (Kenton)
- Kaydence Vestal (Bellefontaine)
- Zoie Vogleman (Bellefontaine)
Criminal Justice
- Laura Barboza Rueda (Marysville)
- Kelly Brim (Ridgemont)
- Paige Castle (Triad)
- Abigail Clary (Riverside)
- Draven Drake (Bellefontaine)
- Tristyn Eickemeyer (Marysville)
- Evie Griggs (Indian Lake)
- Ava Hall (Mechanicsburg)
- Madison Hudnall (Marysville)
- Camdyn Johnston (Ridgemont)
- Caitlin Kaufman (Bellefontaine)
- Rylan Kemp (Urbana)
- Chevelle Metz (Benjamin Logan)
- Gabi North (Benjamin Logan)
- Skyler Poole (Mechanicsburg)
- Peyton Rightmer (Marysville)
- Brayden Shuster (Marysville)
- Jordan Vance (Indian Lake)
- Braiden Zapp (Upper Scioto Valley)
Culinary Arts
- Elias Adams (Upper Scioto Valley)
- Vincent Brown (Upper Scioto Valley)
- Amelia Clark (Urbana)
- Valeria Gonzalez Sut (Kenton)
- Parker Jackson (Kenton)
- Conner Matthews (Upper Scioto Valley)
- Timothy Phillips (Bellefontaine)
- Xavier Reames (Bellefontaine)
- Tucker Tracy (Indian Lake)
- Roger Walker (Kenton)
- Jordan Wilson (Marysville)
Cybersecurity
- Brandon Campbell (Urbana)
- Patrick Cannon (Urbana)
- Lukus Crace (Urbana)
- Xander Diaz (Graham)
- Hector Gandara Betancourt (Marysville)
- Leland Gordon (Indian Lake)
- Jeremiah Huston (Riverside)
- Samuel Johnson (Triad)
- Grace Michels (Upper Scioto Valley)
- Austin Millis (Bellefontaine)
- Caden Organ (Triad)
- Justin Robinson (Bellefontaine)
- Jacob Schlemmer (Marysville)
- Hannah Seagraves (Bellefontaine)
- Brody Strickland (Triad)
- Maximus Vanhoose (Urbana)
- Alexavier Williams (Bellefontaine)
- Cory Young (Bellefontaine)
Diesel Technology
- William Albritton (Graham)
- David Bohling (Indian Lake)
- Maddix Clem (Bellefontaine)
- Kenneth Elliott (Graham)
- Jessie Haas (Graham)
- Jacob Hites (Bellefontaine)
- Camden King (Riverside)
- Hannah Larson (Bellefontaine)
- Jackson Linet (Riverside)
- Blaze Perry (Triad)
- Isaiah Roberts (Bellefontaine)
- Avin Sanpietro (Waynesfield-Goshen)
- Xavier Schwer (Indian Lake)
- Baileigh Spangler (Ridgemont)
- Parker Sutherly (Benjamin Logan)
Drone
- Collin Cook (Indian Lake)
- Ashton Shoffner (Riverside)
- Preston Smith (Riverside)
Education Academy
- Zandra Alig (Indian Lake)
- Noah Boyd (West Liberty-Salem)
- Chloe Heminger (Bellefontaine)
- Alizabeth Lear (Graham)
- Avery Miller (Benjamin Logan)
- Elizabeth Pippin (Indian Lake)
- Samantha Schoepfle (Benjamin Logan)
- Emily Stephens (Marysville)
- Alyssa Welsh (Mechanicsburg)
- Charli Werner (Graham)
- Destiny Wiseman (Homeschool)
- Layla Wooten (Urbana)
Emergency Medical Technician
- Kinzie Bernard (Bellefontaine)
- Iris Burcham (Marysville)
- Brayden Canizo (Urbana)
- Seth Kuhn (Benjamin Logan)
- Paul Lafollette (Bellefontaine)
- Olivia Newland (Ridgemont)
- Briana Popovich (Mechanicsburg)
Engineering Academy
- Giampaul Alongi Pacheco (Marysville)
- Joseph Bentley (Upper Scioto Valley)
- Ryan Berry (Marysville)
- Gavin Bethel (Kenton)
- Carson Blevins (Homeschool)
- Jeremiah Brown (Marysville)
- Quinn Dyer (Upper Scioto Valley)
- Gage Ervin (Riverside)
- Gavin Faulkner (Urbana)
- Austin Ferryman (Upper Scioto Valley)
- Draven Frasure (Graham)
- James Goings (Riverside)
- Christian Kearns (Upper Scioto Valley)
- Patrick Kinney (Bellefontaine)
- Zaid Legon Perez (Bellefontaine)
- Alejandro Orjuela Alandete (Marysville)
- Laine Roberts (Graham)
- Camilo Sanchez Garcia (Marysville)
- Tylor Shinkle (Indian Lake)
- Ana Suarez Hernandez (Bellefontaine)
- Zander White (Graham)
Exercise Science
- Jasmine Chambers (Marysville)
- Dylan Gowin (Triad)
- Evan Greenbaum (Bellefontaine)
- Nathan Hoffman (Benjamin Logan)
- Lukaus King (Urbana)
- Brayden Lowe (Urbana)
- Da’Sha Parks (Bellefontaine)
- Landen Simon (Benjamin Logan)
- Kate Stahler (Ridgemont)
- Noah Thompson (Benjamin Logan)
Graphic Media Arts Academy
- Ayden Adams (Kenton)
- Halia Anderson (Marysville)
- Braden Arzheimer (Marysville)
- Taryn Bailey (Indian Lake)
- Brady Bond (Bellefontaine)
- Tristan Buck (West Liberty-Salem)
- Alvaro Cerda (Bellefontaine)
- Cassandra DeLong (Bellefontaine)
- Erron Donohoe (Triad)
- Victoria Durand (Mechanicsburg)
- Lucas Foreman (Riverside)
- Leyna Fortner (Homeschool)
- Bridget Haggy (Homeschool)
- Xizavier Johns (Indian Lake)
- Amber Jordan (Homeschool)
- Ellizabeth Justin (Bellefontaine)
- Tianna Krouse (Bellefontaine)
- Mason Malone (Triad)
- Gabriel Miller (Bellefontaine)
- Raya Millis (Bellefontaine)
- Brooklynn Morris (Benjamin Logan)
- Cassidy Murray (Homeschool)
- Gabrielle Parker (Mechanicsburg)
- Zachary Poll (Bellefontaine)
- Kaylee Robinson (Riverside)
- Samantha Rohrer (Urbana)
- Devin Salyer (Graham)
- Kaelynn Saxton (Bellefontaine)
- Shelby Stafford (Waynesfield-Goshen)
- Jacob Stone (Bellefontaine)
- Chelsea Trout (Riverside)
- James Trout (Riverside)
- Gavin Wiant (Mechanicsburg)
- Kylie Zavada (Urbana)
Health Careers Academy
- Oluwanifemi Adesanmi (Marysville)
- Kaylena Ahnutae (TRECA)
- Jaydyn Alinson (Bellefontaine)
- Alissa Bailey (Bellefontaine)
- Alyssa Barker (Bellefontaine)
- Bailey Barnes (Waynesfield-Goshen)
- Daniela Caguao Nino (Marysville)
- Addison Castle (Indian Lake)
- Zoey Conner (Bellefontaine)
- Joslyn Cummins (Indian Lake)
- Haylee Earles (Homeschool)
- Jalena Genthner (Marysville)
- Madelynn Hamm (Benjamin Logan)
- Courtney Hart (Benjamin Logan)
- Ivy Hatfield (Graham)
- Samantha Holman (Marysville)
- Kyndallynn Hood (Bellefontaine)
- Makenzie Hopkins (Upper Scioto Valley)
- Niveah Jacks (Graham)
- Piper Jenkins (Marysville)
- Durtmalegshiglen Khadbaatar (Marysville)
- Zoey Lavender (Benjamin Logan)
- Rinad Maktal (Marysville)
- Eugenia Mata Trujillo (Marysville)
- Lyza Mitchell (Urbana)
- Kyrah Moon (Bellefontaine)
- Ramsay Mulholland (Benjamin Logan)
- Ava Pinks (Upper Scioto Valley)
- Danna Salgado Mora (Marysville)
- Elli Ullery (West Liberty-Salem)
- Madeline Ullom (Bellefontaine)
- Marleigh Wallace (Benjamin Logan)
- Mahala Weber (Marysville)
- Zoey White (Graham)
- Cadence Woods (Graham)
- Mara Yoder (Kenton)
Heavy Equipment Operations
- Utah Coleman (Benjamin Logan)
- Cooper Cronkleton (Benjamin Logan)
- Nathan Dunn (Graham)
- Logan Edwards (Graham)
- Jack Gaus (Mechanicsburg)
- Dane Grimes (Benjamin Logan)
- Luke Hensel (Kenton)
- Cameron Hensley (Bellefontaine)
- Cameron Kelsey (Benjamin Logan)
- Zerek Longbrake (Bellefontaine)
- Hunter McColloch (Benjamin Logan)
- David Meadows (Urbana)
- Easton Predmore (Bellefontaine)
- Chilton Smith (West Liberty-Salem)
- Karidy Thomas (Graham)
- Hannah Volp (Graham)
HVAC/Electrical
- Vincent Bibart (Benjamin Logan)
- Jameson Blanton (Benjamin Logan)
- Alexander Boyer (West Liberty-Salem)
- Tyler Cable (Benjamin Logan)
- Jack Eagy (Benjamin Logan)
- Tavian Fay (Benjamin Logan)
- Maxwell Green (Mechanicsburg)
- Cody Hoagland (Benjamin Logan)
- Kayleigh Ingles (Graham)
- Emerson Love (Homeschool)
- Roman Maxwell (Benjamin Logan)
- Ozwin McWade (Benjamin Logan)
- Dawson Myers (Bellefontaine)
- Andrew Napier (Benjamin Logan)
- Caiden Price (Benjamin Logan)
- Hayden Robinson (Urbana)
- David Short (Bellefontaine)
- Cody Smith (Benjamin Logan)
- Miles Speaks (Bellefontaine)
- Candin Tucker (Benjamin Logan)
- Seth Wiles (Mechanicsburg)
Welding & Fabrication
- David Allen (Bellefontaine)
- Wade Bailey (Graham)
- Parker Benson (Kenton)
- Michael Bowsher (Marysville)
- Joel Brooks (Riverside)
- Cameron Brown (Graham)
- Lake Buterbaugh (Marysville)
- Sarah Gunsaulies (Urbana)
- Alayna Hackley (West Liberty-Salem)
- Curtis Herd (Marysville)
- Gabriel Howard (Marysville)
- Austin Kennedy-Nesler (Kenton)
- Stewart Kozlik (Marysville)
- Gavin LeMaster (Marysville)
- Alyssa McCoy (Bellefontaine)
- Landon Mitchell (West Liberty-Salem)
- Liam O’Bryan (Urbana)
- Corbin Rousculp (Mechanicsburg)
- Meritta Ryan (Graham)
- Thomas Smith (Benjamin Logan)
- Johnny Wild (Mechanicsburg)
- Landan Wilson (Upper Scioto Valley)
- Alexander Winfrey (Riverside)
2026 Ohio Hi-Point Student Scholarship Awards
- Ayden Adams — Kenton, Graphic & Media Arts Academy
- $5,000 University of Northwestern Ohio Scholarship Test Scholarship
- $100 University of Northwestern Ohio FAFSA Scholarship
- Emilie Alcorn — Graham, Animal Science
- $148,000 Ohio Wesleyan University Branch Rickey Scholarship
- $56,000 Ohio Wesleyan Grant
- $4,000 OWU Referral Award
- $4,000 OWU Visit Award
- Haeleigh Arnold — Urbana, Animal Science
- Full tuition for three years to Clark State College through the Clark State Scholars Program
- Alissa Bailey — Bellefontaine, Health Careers Academy
- $1,000 Mary Rutan Foundation General Scholarship
- Richiona Burnell — Bellefontaine, Cosmetology
- $1,200 Ratleff Senior Award Scholarship
- Brandon Campbell — Urbana, Cybersecurity
- $60,000 Antioch College Merit Scholarship
- $18,000 Antioch College Works Tuition Scholarship
- $6,000 Antioch College Room & Board Scholarship
- $2,797 Antioch College Tuition Scholarship
- Brayden Canizo — Urbana, EMT
- Full tuition for three years to Clark State College through the Clark State Scholars Program
- Brady Chapman — Waynesfield-Goshen, Animal Science
- $76,000 Wilmington College Achievement Award
- $1,000 Wilmington College Visit Experience Award
- $500 Warren Stevens Board of Education Scholarship
- Utah Coleman — Benjamin Logan, Heavy Equipment Operations
- $1,000 Career Launch Grant
- Gage Ervin — Riverside, Engineering
- $1,000 Career Launch Grant
- Jalena Genthner — Marysville, Health Careers Academy
- $1,500 The Ohio State University Marion First Choice Incentive
- Alayna Hackley — West Liberty-Salem, Welding & Fabrication
- $16,000 Champaign-Logan Education Foundation Scholarship
- $1,000 The Ohio State University Mattus Ag Scholarship
- $1,000 Matt Calland Memorial Scholarship
- Aspire Champion Scholarship
- Madelynn Hamm — Benjamin Logan, Health Careers Academy
- $1,000 Career Launch Grant
- Courtney Hart — Benjamin Logan, Health Careers Academy
- $1,000 URE Children of Members Scholarship
- $1,000 Rhodes State College Foundation Scholarship
- Ivy Hatfield — Graham, Health Careers Academy
- Full Tuition Reimbursement through Mary Rutan Health Employment
- $20,000 Governor’s Merit Scholarship
- Chloe Heminger — Bellefontaine, Education Academy
- $1,000 KTH Scholarship
- Kyndallynn Hood — Bellefontaine, Health Careers Academy
- $96,000 Mount Mercy University Presidential Scholarship
- $72,000 Mount Mercy University Women’s Bowling Scholarship
- $1,000 Mount Mercy Engagement Grant
- Piper Jenkins — Marysville, Health Careers Academy
- $3,000 Clark State Career Center Scholarship
- $1,000 Chloe Lynn Hodge Scholarship
- Samuel Johnson — Triad, Cybersecurity
- $3,000 Clark State Career Center Scholarship
- Eugenia Mata Trujillo — Marysville, Health Careers Academy
- Full tuition through The Ohio State University Morrill Scholarship Program Excellence Scholarship
- $1,000 Ohio Hi-Point Staff Scholarship
- Paige McComas — Bellefontaine, Spa Technology
- $1,000 Mary Rutan Foundation Dr. Joseph C. & Florence C. Longfellow Memorial Scholarship
- $500 40 & 8 Nursing Scholarship
- Grace Michels — Upper Scioto Valley, Cybersecurity
- $3,000 Clark State Career Center Scholarship
- Avery Miller — Benjamin Logan, Education Academy
- $4,000 Bowling Green University Freshman Academic Scholarship
- $1,000 Bowling Green Bridge to BG Scholarship
- Caden Organ — Triad, Cybersecurity
- $3,000 Clark State Career Center Scholarship
- Meritta Ryan — Graham, Welding & Fabrication
- Full tuition for three years to Clark State College through the Clark State Scholars Program
- Naaman Stidham — West Liberty-Salem, Construction Trades
- $1,000 Career Launch Grant
- Jordan Vance — Indian Lake, Criminal Justice
- $48,000 Defiance College Pilgrim Scholarship
- $3,000 Defiance College Athletic Scholarship
- Zoie Vogleman — Bellefontaine, Spa Technology
- $3,000 Clark State Career Center Scholarship
- Hannah Volp — Graham, Heavy Equipment Operations
- $116,000 Ohio Northern University Presidential Scholarship
- $2,000 Ohio Northern University Engineering Polar Award
- $2,000 Ohio Northern University Band Participation Award
- $1,000 Burger King Scholars
- $1,000 Baughman Ag Scholarship
- $500 Ray A. Kroc Scholarship
- $500 Ohio Hi-Point Staff Scholarship
- Zoey White — Graham, Health Careers Academy
- $90,000 University of Findlay Dean’s Scholarship
- $1,500 University of Findlay Leadership Scholarship
- Audrie Williams — Urbana, Cosmetology
- $120,000 Wittenberg University Provost Award
- $1,250 Wittenberg University Referral Award
- $1,250 Wittenberg University Visit Day Scholarship
Aspire Champion Scholarship
- Alayna Hackley — West Liberty-Salem, Welding & Fabrication
- Andrew Napier — Benjamin Logan, HVAC
- David Bohling — Indian Lake, Diesel Technology
Sloan Trustees Scholarship
- Danna Salgado Mora — Marysville, Health Careers Academy — $4,000
Ohio Hi-Point Staff Scholarships
- Alejandro Orjuela Alandete — Marysville, Engineering — $1,500
- Eugenia Mata Trujillo — Marysville, Health Careers Academy — $1,000
- Durtmalegshiglen Khadbaatar — Marysville, Health Careers Academy — $1,000
- Hannah Volp — Graham, Heavy Equipment Operations — $500
Chloe Lynn Hodge Scholarship
- Addison Castle — Indian Lake, Health Careers Academy — $1,000
- Piper Jenkins — Marysville, Health Careers Academy — $1,000
Ohio Hi-Point Judy Gratz Memorial Scholarship
- Alejandro Orjuela Alandete — Marysville, Engineering — $500
