LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) – Future leaders were recognized by the Lima Exchange Club during its annual luncheon, where 12 students from various Allen County schools were honored as "Youth of the Year."
Each student submitted an essay detailing the impact they have made in their school district and their plans to give back in the future. Eight club members judged the essays, with Shawnee High School’s Ava Patel scoring the highest. Patel wrote about founding the Red Cross Club at Shawnee, which brings students together, promotes volunteerism, and helps their fellow students.
Patel wrote about founding the Red Cross Club at Shawnee, which brings students together, promotes volunteerism, and helps their fellow students.
“To be able to provide that opportunity for students this year, especially now that we're kind of established and been going on two years, the students, I can really see a difference. They come to me and tell me how grateful they are for the opportunities I'm providing, and I get a lot of great positive feedback,” says Ava Patel, 2025 Youth of the Year.
“It's incredible to see kids at such a young age being involved in so much. Everyone that was up here today was involved in numerous activities, which, you know, is countless hours outside of the classroom. So it's really impressive to see such a commitment to their schools,” says Stephanie Moos, president of the Lima Exchange Club.
Each of the 12 students received a $300 scholarship from the Lima Exchange Club.
Each of the 12 students received a $300 scholarship from the Lima Exchange Club. Patel also received an additional $500, and her essay will compete at the state level for further scholarship opportunities.
Here is a full list of the “Youth of the Year” students:
Allen East High School – Dylan Miller
Apollo Career Center – Ava Swartz
Bath High School – Ezrah McKissick
Bluffton High School – June Essinger
Delphos Jefferson High School – Avery Eickholt
Delphos St. John’s High School – Henry “Hank” Kopack
Elida High School – Carson Wright
Lima Central Catholic High School – Jillian Terrill
Lima Senior High School – Terrionna Bagley
Lima Temple Christian High School – Emma Engle
Shawnee High School – Ava Patel
Spencerville High School – Olivia Graham
