2025 Academic Scholarship Recipients

            The Morrow SWCD Board of Supervisors met on April 9th to select the recipient of the Morrow SWCD Annual Scholarship and their top contenders for the Robert Wuertz, Jr. Memorial Scholarship, the Don McGinnis Memorial Scholarship and the Steve Ruhl Memorial Scholarship. Family members of the Memorial scholarships then shared their input on the students they felt best fulfilled the qualifications of the application, as well as, fit the spirit of the scholarship.

            The applicant pool for all scholarships was competitive and exciting. It is rewarding to award scholarships to hardworking students, and we are without a lack of that calling in Morrow County.

We want to extend our greatest thanks to each applicant for all scholarships. We recognize your academic journey and want to encourage you to continue to further your education with fidelity.

Morrow SWCD Annual Scholarship: Owen Yunker

Owen Yunker is the son of Troy and Dee Yunker and a graduate of Northmor High School. Growing up on a small farm, Owen has helped raise chickens, goat and dogs, as well as, tended to the family garden (growing and selling gourds) and maple sap collection. He is an avid hunter and outdoor enthusiast.

Owen has been involved with the National Honor Society, Northmor FFA and Morrow County 4-H. During his high school years, he has taken college classes through Marion Technical College and North Central State College. He has volunteered in a Kindergarten classroom, has been involved in the Morrow County Conservation Club and has helped with multiple community service activities

Owen will be attending Heidelberg University in Tiffin, OH this fall majoring in Environmental Science and will also be running hurdles for the track team. His long-range goals include “obtaining an environmental position in a natural resource field allowing for significant opportunity in our great outdoors.”

            Congratulations, Owen!

Don McGinnis Memorial Scholarship: Maya Trainer

Maya Trainer is the Daughter of B.J. and Holly Trainer and a senior at Northmor High School. Growing up in Morrow County, Maya was able to gain experience in agriculture through her family’s dairy farm and county fair projects.

Throughout high school, Maya participated in FFA as the 2024-2025 Chapter President, Student Government, volleyball and Youth Safety Council. Her hobbies include reading, spending time with family and friends, and showing goats. Maya, along with her Mother, Holly, have operated Maya’s Hickory Hill over the last decade breeding, showing and selling pygmy goats to exhibitors in the Midwest.

Maya Plans to earn her Bachelor of Animal Science Degree from The Ohio State University to then apply for The College of Veterinary Medicine. Maya hopes to one day serve the community by owning a large animal vet practice in Morrow County.

            Congratulations, Owen!

Robert Wuerts Jr. Memorial Scholarship: Kaden Gall

Kaden Gall is a senior at Gilead Christian and the son of Mike and Janna Gall, and brother of Ashtyn. In his junior and senior years, Kayden attended the Tri-Rivers Career Center as a student of the diesel technology program. A member of the Tri-Rivers FFA, he has participated in several contests and volunteer opportunities. In his free time, Kaden loves to fish, attend tractor pulls and work on his grandfather’s John Deere 60 tractor.

Kaden and his family have raised pygmy goats for the past 8 years, and he’s shown multiple grand champion does/bucks through the Ohio Pygmy Goat Association and National Pygmy Goat Association. One of his proudest accomplishments is raising a champion doe descended from his favorite buck, R Wild West Pygmy’s, Jack Daniels. Kaden has participated in several volunteer activities through 4-H, including his club’s annual Trash Bash, volunteering at the Humane Society and placing flags on veterans’ graves in the Cardington Cemetery for Veteran’s day.

After graduation, Kaden plans to attend Marion Technical College, majoring in ag. business. He strives to join his grandfather, uncle and aunt as the seventh generation on the Farm. 

Congratulations, Kaden!

Steve Ruhl Memorial Scholarship: Logan McCown

Logan McCown is the son of Steve McCown, a graduate of Northmor High School and will be attending his second year at The Ohio State University ATI this fall.

Logan is pursuing a degree in Agronomy, learning more about the growth and production of agronomic crops that are grown in Ohio. Logan will receiving his American Degree at the FFA National Convention this October. Logan’s long-term goals are to become a Certified Crop Advisor and wants to sell seed or pesticides to farmers as well as taking over and expanding the family farm. 

Congratulations, Logan!