LIMA, Ohio (WLIO)– Two Allen County high school students have earned one of the area’s highest honors for young musicians.

The Lima Kiwanis Club presented the Ronald W. Richards Young Musicians Scholarship to Evan Rinesmith of Shawnee High School and Carson Van Gorder of Spencerville High School. The scholarship, established in memory of the late Lima Senior High School choir director and Kiwanis member Ronald W. Richards, is awarded to graduating Allen County seniors planning to major in music or a related field.

Two Allen County Students receive prestigious Kiwanis music scholarship

Spencerville senior Carson Van Gorder plans to attending Bowling Green State University and major in music education.

Van Gorder expressed his gratitude after receiving the award.

“I’m incredibly grateful to have received the scholarship today,” Van Gorder said. “It’s going to help a lot to push me toward my goals through college. I’m planning on attending Bowling Green State University and majoring in music education.

“There are kind of two paths I’m thinking about right now. One path is to continue school and get a doctorate to teach at the college level. The other is to become a high school band director."

 

The Kiwanis Club has awarded the Richards scholarship annually since 1987 following Richards’ passing.

In addition to the scholarship presentation, the club also honored 10 students with the John Philip Sousa Award. This national award recognizes senior band members who demonstrate outstanding leadership, as selected by their peers. The Lima Kiwanis have presented the award locally since 1962.

2025 John Philip Sousa Award Recipients:

  • Joy Kill, Allen East

  • Hailey Hinkle, Bath

  • Levi Fenzl, Bluffton

  • Pierce Tracy, Elida

  • Kenyon Kill, Lima Central Catholic

  • Davyon Williamson, Lima Senior

  • Conner Lynch, Perry

  • Daniel Schiel II, Shawnee

  • Carson Van Gorder, Spencerville

  • Na’Talya Wilson, Temple Christian

2025 Ronald W. Richards Young Musicians Scholarship Recipients:

  • Evan Rinesmith, Shawnee High School

  • Carson Van Gorder, Spencerville High School

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