LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) - The Lima Exchange Club awarding scholarships to students who's accomplishments have often been overlooked.
The A.C.E. Awards, also known as Accepting the Challenge of Excellence, are $300 scholarships given to seniors nominated by 12 area schools. Each of these students has had many obstacles that made it tough for them to perform well in school, like having a child or the death of a loved one. They're awarded for making a dramatic change in their attitude and performance during high school and getting back on track to graduate.
Club officials say these awards will help them down the road, but also give them recognition for everything they've had to overcome.
Club officials say these awards will help them down the road, but also give them recognition for everything they've had to overcome.
"Many of the students that join us today have probably been through more than what many adults have been through in their entire lifetime, and for them to overcome those challenges and strive to do more in their life and become better folks in our community, is incredible," said Stephanie Moos, president of the Lima Exchange Club.
One student was chosen the overall winner and received an additional $500. They will also go on to the district-level A.C.E. Awards.
One student was chosen the overall winner and received an additional $500. They will also go on to the district-level A.C.E. Awards.
"This scholarship means a lot to me because there was a lot of people who have gone through so much throughout their lives, and I understand the struggle of having to overcome those," said Sophia Zeller, a senior at Allen East High School and the overall A.C.E. Award winner. "It was just such a blessing to receive this money because it will help me later on with the college and career path I want to go to. I'm planning on pharmacy and I just want to be able, since the community has helped me, to help them in the future as well."
Here is the full list of this year's area winners:
Allen East Sophia Zeller
Apollo William Harrod
Bath Charlie Farler
Bluffton Griffin Stackhouse
Delphos Jefferson Aubrey Dudgeon
Delphos St. John’s Noah Slawinski
Elida Olivia Glazier
Lima Cent. Cath. Raphaella Fortune
Lima Senior no nominee this year
Perry Shaelyn Davis
Shawnee Mariah Schimmoeller
Spencerville Colin Kingery
Temple Christian Emily Ketcham
