Urbana High School celebrates the Class of 2025

Urbana High School celebrated the achievements of the Class of 2025, a group of exceptional students who have collectively earned $1,618,850 in scholarships, on Saturday at Graduation in Climber Stadium.

The graduating class is recognized for its academic excellence, athletic achievements, and contributions to the school and broader community.

Leading this year’s class are two outstanding students:

Valedictorian: Lauren Alexandra Shelpman, daughter of Dan and Rachel Shelpman, will attend The Ohio State University, where she plans to major in marketing and business.
Salutatorian: Lyza Ann Forson, daughter of Eric and Stephanie Forson, will attend Ohio University to study nursing and health administration. She will also compete as a student-athlete on the track and field team.

The Top Ten students of the Class of 2025 are:

Lauren Alexandra Shelpman
Lyza Ann Forson
Andrew Dawson Chamberlain
Colton Gage Lafferty
Layla Elaine Nickell
Kathryn Estelle Johnson
Kenadi Patricia Lynn McKee
Zoe Ann Roze Shaffner
Reyse Ellen Wilson
Brayden Maddox Spriggs

These students exemplify leadership, dedication, and academic excellence, setting a high standard for future graduating classes.

The Class of 2025 includes over 100 graduates who are taking the next step into college, military service, the workforce, and other post-secondary endeavors.

Their scholarships were awarded by a wide variety of local organizations, educational institutions, and national programs, reflecting the strong support and investment in Urbana’s youth.

Emma Adams, daughter of Chad Adams and Amy Adams, will attend the University of Findlay to study nursing. She received $68,000 from the University of Findlay.
Conner Arnett, son of Matt and Felicia Arnett, will attend Clark State College to study 3D printing. He received $3,000 from the Clark State Tech Prep program.
Avari Castle, daughter of Gary and Brittany Castle, will attend Clark State College to study psychology. She received $18,000 from the Clark State Scholars program.
Andrew Chamberlain, son of Chad and Shannon Chamberlain, will attend Ohio Northern University to study mechanical engineering. He received $139,800 from Ohio Northern University, the Robert K. Martin Music Scholarship, and the Urbana High School Alumni Scholarship.
Audrey Dawson, daughter of Justin Dawson and Jennifer Ropp, will attend Bowling Green State University to study film production. She received $40,500 from Bowling Green State University and the Civista Bank Scholarship.
Morgan Deskins, daughter of Brandon and Erin Deskins, will attend The Ohio State University to study radiological sciences. She received $16,800 from The Ohio State University.
Madelynn Dunham, daughter of Adam and Stephanie Dunham, will attend Black Hawk College to study animal science-management and industry and to compete on the general livestock judging team. She received $5,500 from Black Hawk College and the Ohio Cattlemen’s BEST scholarship.
Lyza Forson, daughter of Eric and Stephanie Forson, will attend Ohio University to study nursing and health administration and to compete on the track and field team. She received $85,000 from Ohio University, Ohio Governor’s Merit Scholarship, Beth Brown Memorial Scholarship, Bill “Skeeter” Moss Memorial Scholarship, Christy Knotts and Ranae Donohoe Memorial Scholarship, John Dale Urbana Firefighter Scholarship, Mary Rutan Foundation Scholarship, Nick Foss Memorial Nursing Scholarship, Urbana Association of Classroom Teachers Scholarship, Urbana FFA Scholarship, Urbana Lions Club Scholarship, and Champaign County Farm Bureau Scholarship.
Paris Grim, daughter of Heather Grim, will attend Kent State University to study social studies education. She received $40,200 from Kent State University, Burr A.Simpson Memorial Scholarship, Castle Chapter of the National Honor Society Scholarship, and Urbana Association of Classroom Teachers Scholarship.
Kianna Gsell, daughter of Jack and Sara Gsell, will attend the University of Tennessee at Martin to study secondary education-English. She received $2,500 from the Mark Smith Memorial Scholarship, the Urbana FFA Scholarship, and the Champaign County Farm Bureau Scholarship.
Dezirea Huffman, daughter of Danyell Huffman, will attend Clark State College with an undecided major. She received $18,000 from the Clark State Scholars program.
Lauren Hughes, daughter of Richard Hughes and Apryl Hughes, will attend Sinclair College to study architecture. She received $2,000 from Sinclair College.
Kathryn Johnson, daughter of Truman and Kate Johnson, will attend The Ohio State University to study business. She received $20,000 from the Ohio Governor’s Merit Scholarship.
Zaidan Johnson, son of Richard Johnson and Kiley Horn, will attend Sinclair College to study firefighter EMT. He received $500 from the Mike Agerter Memorial Scholarship.
Colton Laffety, son of Jason Laffety and Jessica Bates, will attend Wright State University to study mechanical engineering. He received $56,250 from Wright State University, Todd Foster Memorial Scholarship, Urbana Rotary Scholarship, and American Legion Pearce-Kerns Post #120 Scholarship, funded by Karen Kerns Dresser to honor her father, Edmund H. Kerns,.
Dakota Lemons, daughter of Nathaniel and Teresa Lemons, will attend Wright State University to study graphic arts and acting. She received $6,000 from Wright State University.
Owen MacKendrick, son of Nathan and Emily MacKenderick, will attend Ohio University to study film. He received $33,900 from Ohio University, Dr. E. Richard and Sharlene Shoup Memorial Scholarship, Eva and Charles B. English Scholarship for the Fine Arts, Urbana Athletic Department Scholarship, Castle Chapter of the National Honor Society Scholarship, Champaign County 4-H FCS Scholarship, Todd Foster Memorial Scholarship, and Urbana Digital Scholarship.
Kenadi Lynn McKee, daughter of Luke and Chrissy McKee, will attend Rhodes State College to study in the occupational therapy assistant program. She received $10,970 from Rhodes State College, Medical Mutual School Scholarship, Champaign County Farm Bureau Scholarship, Andy Dellinger Memorial Scholarship, Christy Knotts and Ranae Donohoe Memorial Scholarship, Mary Rutan Foundation Scholarship, Todd Foster Memorial Scholarship, Urbana FFA Scholarship, and American Legion Pearce-Kerns Post #120 Scholarship, funded by Karen Kerns Dresser to honor her father Edmund H. Kerns.
Derek Miller, son of Timmy Miller and Heather Hysell, will attend the University of Akron to study fire protection technology. He received $6,000 from the University of Akron.
Malichi Morales, son of Jose Morales and Heidi Bailey, will attend Clark State College to study exercise science. He received $18,000 from the Clark State Scholars program.
Peyton Mounce, daughter of Kevin and Amanda Mounce, will attend the University of the Cumberlands with an undecided major. She will also play on the women’s basketball team. She received $103,000 from the University of the Cumberlands and the Bill “Skeeter” Moss Memorial Scholarship.
Allison Myers, daughter of Brian Myers and Justin and Katie Myers, will attend Wright State University to study biological sciences. She received $27,500 from Wright State, Eric D. Evans Memorial Scholarship, Medical Mutual Schools Scholarship, Urbana High School Alumni Association Scholarship, and Urbana Lions Club Scholarship.
Layla Nickell, daughter of Bryce and Elaine Nickell, will attend Columbus College of Art and Design to study animation. She received $128,000 from Columbus College of Art and Design and the Ohio Governor’s Merit Scholarship.
Gracelynn Parsons will attend Columbus College of Art and Design to study game art and design. She received $80,950 from Columbus College of Art and Design, the Donald and Esther Reed Family Scholarship, and the Urbana Firefighters Local 595 Design Scholarship.
Corynn Ryan, daughter of Joshua Ryan and Ashley Ryan, will attend Ohio University to study Spanish education. She received $47,588 from Ohio University, Harmony Lodge #8 Free and Accepted Masons Scholarship, and Urbana Rotary Scholarship.
Jazmyn Marie Scott, daughter of Kai and Chasity Scott, will attend Duquesne University to study business and compete on their women’s bowling team. She received $196,000 from Duquesne University.
Lauren Shelpman, daughter of Dan and Rachel Shelpman, will attend The Ohio State University to study marketing and business. She received $59,350 from The Ohio State University, Urbana City Schools Athletic Department Scholarship, Bill “Skeeter” Moss Memorial Scholarship, Champaign County Ohio State University Alumni Scholarship, Richard Rice Foreman Memorial Scholarship, Urbana Association of Classroom Teachers Scholarship, and Urbana Digital Scholarship.
Baley Smith, daughter of Sam Smith and Dee Smith, will attend Clark State College to study diagnostic medical sonography. She received $1,000 from the Mark Smith Memorial Scholarship.
Emma Smith, daughter of Johnny and Amber Hill, will attend Wright State University to study creative writing. She earned $6,000 from Wright State University.
Brayden Spriggs, son of Brett and Maria Spriggs, will attend Xavier University with an undecided major. He received $144,350 from Xavier University and the Urbana Athletic Boosters Ed Richards Memorial Scholarship.
Bryce Stambaugh, son of Eric and Amy Stambaugh and Nikki Stambaugh, will attend Wilmington College to study agricultural business management. He received $109,492 from Wilmington College, the Urbana FFA Scholarship, and the Clark State Scholars program.
Telia Stewart, daughter of Nathan Stewart and Linda DeArmond, will attend Clark State College. She received $18,000 from the Clark State Scholars program.
Isabella Talebi, daughter of Kevin and Susie Talebi, will attend Miami University to study marketing. She received $25,000 from Miami University and the Urbana Rotary Scholarship.
Jessie Taynor, daughter of Jeremy Taynor and Amanda Dewey, will attend Clark State College to study agriculture education. She received $100 from the Urbana FFA Scholarship.
Samuel Wilhelm, son of Stephen and Christina Wilhelm, will attend Michigan State University to study electrical technology. He received $3,450 from the Urbana FFA Scholarship, Ed Richards Memorial Scholarship, Matt Calland Memorial Scholarship, Urbana Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution Scholarship, and Champaign County Farm Bureau Scholarship.
Reyse Wilson, daughter of Rod and Alisa Wilson, will attend the University of the Cumberlands to study allied health. She received $61,550 from the University of the Cumberlands, Bill “Skeeter” Moss Memorial Scholarship, and Nick Foss Memorial Nursing Scholarship.