Seventeen seniors from Columbiana County high schools, all who scored a 31 or higher on the ACT, received recognition and an award as “Heads Above the Rest.”

The Columbiana County Educational Service Center has been honoring the highest performing students for the past 21years. This year’s students are from Columbiana, Crestview, East Liverpool, Salem, Southern Local, United and Wellsville. Nine students were recognized for being nominated for the Franklin B. Walter Scholarship award. The award encompasses academic achievement, leadership roles, work and volunteer roles, as well as student honors.

Elizabeth Marhefka, a senior from United High School, was recognized as the Franklin B. Walter Scholastic Award recipient. Named for state superintendent from 1977-1991, this award recognizes one student from each of Ohio’s 88 counties. Marhefka also received a $500 scholarship from the Columbiana County Educational Service Center.

Riley Britt, a 2020 graduate from Beaver Local High School, was the virtual guest speaker. Riley was a Heads Above the Rest award recipient in 2020, and was also Columbiana County’s Franklin B. Walter recipient in 2020. Riley is currently a freshman at The Ohio State University majoring in biology on a pre-med track with a minor in global public health. Due to finals week, Riley recorded a video to share with the attendees.

This year’s nominees for the Franklin B. Walter scholarship were (From left, front row) Payton Sherry, East Palestine; Elizabeth Marhefka, United (winner of the scholarship); Megan Chludzinski, Lisbon David Anderson; Elena Economus, Salem; (back row) Michael DeBord, Beaver Local; Howard Williams, East Liverpool; Emma Smith, Wellsville; Brock Smalley, Southern Local. (Not Pictured) Eric Ji, Columbiana and Alayna Ogle, Leetonia. (Submitted photo)

In conjunction, local teachers were honored as “Star Educators.” Each year, past recipients of the “Heads Above the Rest” award nominate a teacher who has made a profound and positive effect upon the student. This year 13 educators received this distinction. The teachers are from Beaver, Crestview, Lisbon, Salem, and United.

STAR Educators honored this year were (from left) Hannah Dickson, Salem; Alison Hamilton, Beaver Local; Nick Sesonsky, Beaver Local; Elaine Meals, United; Grady Long, Crestview; and not pictured: Sarah Lowe, Beaver Local. (Submitted photo)

Elizabeth Marhefka, the winner of this year’s Franklin B. Walter Scholarship. She is a graduating senior from United High School. (Submitted photo)