The Edison Foundation at Edison State Community College, Fastlane, and the University of Dayton Research Institute have announced the recipients of the 2025 Shelby County Manufacturing Pathway Scholarship. The scholarship is open to recent high school graduates of Shelby County and current Edison State students residing in Shelby County.
Hannah Hopkins of Sidney, Kendall Reese of Jackson Center, Noah Roy of Greenville, and Seth Weis of Sidney each received a $2,000 scholarship as they pursue a program at Edison State in a manufacturing pathway or a select pathway that supports manufacturing. UDRI provided $500 per student, and The Edison Foundation provided $1,500.
April Vanover, Workforce Development & Government Relations Managing Director at Fastlane/UDRI, said, “We’re proud to sponsor the next generation of manufacturing leaders whose skill, integrity, and drive are shaping a stronger future for all of us and our community.”
A 2021 graduate, Hopkins is a graphic design major who previously attended the Upper Valley Career Center. She also works at the Edison State IT Help Desk, where she assists with support tickets, computer issues, and tech setup for events.
Hopkins plans to use her scholarship to purchase important software and supplies, such as an updated computer, Adobe products, and art supplies, to help her grow in her chosen field.
“I live, breathe, and think art 24/7,” she said, “and it’s such a privilege and an honor to be able to monetize my skills and experiences and to go into the field of design with my knowledge. This scholarship will go toward expanding my skills even further as I plan to excel in both traditional and digital media.”
Reese, a 2025 graduate of Jackson Center High School, is pursuing her Associate of Applied Science. She stated that the scholarship will help cover costs such as books, tuition, and gas, relieving some financial stress of attending college.
“Knowing I have money to put away for any and all college expenses will diminish the stress,” said Reese. “I know there will be unknown things I will have to pay for. Receiving a scholarship brings that unknown to a more manageable level.”
Roy is a 2024 homeschool graduate pursuing an electrical engineering transfer program at Edison State. He plans to transfer to Miami University to complete his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.
“This scholarship will make all the difference in the upcoming academic year,” Roy said. “It will help me accomplish my educational and career goals by allowing me to focus on my study of electrical engineering, avoid the pitfall of student debt, and enable me to help those around me both now and in the future.”
A 2023 graduate of Glorious Wisdom Homeschool, Weis is an electro-mechanical engineering major currently working as an equipment service intern at Honda. After completing his associate degree at Edison State, he plans to transfer to Miami University to pursue his bachelor’s degree.
Weis shared that this scholarship will help him complete his degree sooner as he can continue working only part time, giving him more time to focus on schoolwork.
“I plan to finish college without any debt, so I can have the job I want,” said Weis. “I can go where my skills and passions may be best utilized and where I feel Jesus would like me to be without worrying as much about risk. This scholarship will be put to good use in accelerating my college journey and launching me into the workforce unhindered.”
Visit The Edison Foundation at www.edisonohio.edu/foundation, Fastlane at www.fastlane-mep.org, and UDRI at www.udri.udayton.edu.
