Ohio Parks and Recreation Association Foundation Awards Scholarships to Three Ohio Students

Lindsay Leightner, Grace Trimble and Erin Walters Headshots

Pictured from Left to Right:  Lindsay Leightner, Grace Trimble, Erin Walters

The Ohio Parks and Recreation Association Foundation has awarded three $1000 scholarships for the 2018-19 academic year to Ohio students planning for careers in parks and recreation.

“These young people represent the future of parks and recreation.  They’re working hard in the classroom and in the field to gain valuable skills and experience,” said OPRA Executive Director Woody Woodward.  ”They will use those skills and experiences for the rest of their careers to have a real impact on the lives of the people who they serve.”

Jody Stowers scholarship winner Grace Trimble, of Kent, is a student at Kent State University studying Recreation, Park and Tourism Management.  Grace is currently a volunteer at Stark Parks and is interning as a Natural Resource Specialist/Park Ranger with the US Army Corps of Engineers. She previously served as a park guide at the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.  Grace shares, “I want to share my passion with people in the community by revealing the benefits of outdoor recreation, the importance of volunteering in our parks, and the need to advocate for our parks so they are here for future generations.”

John McComb scholarship winner Lindsay Leightner is a student in Wildlife and Fisheries Resources at West Virginia University in Park Maintenance and works at Portage Park District as a seasonal Natural Areas Steward. The Ravenna resident says “Public activities centered around natural resources are a relaxing way to entertain and give back to park patrons, who support the parks through taxes or donations, and enriching the young minds of potential environmentalists.”

Don Schmidt scholarship winner Erin Walters is a student at Kent State University studying Recreation, Park and Tourism Management.  Erin has served in volunteer roles at Boardman Park, Mill Creek Metroparks and Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and says “the most important and universal thing I would provide to parks would be positive experiences by the public visitors which visit and support the parks.”

The scholarship winners will be recognized on February 5, 2019 at the OPRA Annual Awards of Excellence Dinner in Sandusky.

In addition to providing student and professional scholarships, the OPRA Foundation undertakes research, educates critical audiences and collaborates with allied partners to further the cause of public parks and recreation.

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