2026 Winners
Meet Tate Wilson, our graduating senior award winner from London High School!
Tate will be attending Ohio University and plans to study Translation/Spanish.
As a student, Tate was involved in a variety of clubs including Quick Recall, Theater Productions, Marching Band and Diversity Club. He is the first person in Madison County to receive the seal of biliteracy on his diploma!
Tate believes in our democracy and participates in it by sending postcards to influence political races and through his attendance at protests.
An excerpt from Tate's essay:
Every morning, I wake up to bad news and feel powerless. The things happening in America are unprecedented and do not represent what we stand for as a country. If I am being totally honest, I have found it hard to have faith in the principles of good citizenship in a progressively dishonorable country. However, even though I am struggling, I will not give up. I refuse to move backwards in time and give up what we have spent hundreds of years fighting for. So, each and every day, I have tried to demonstrate good citizenship by protesting, being kind and helping those in need, and being unapologetic about my beliefs.
Congratulations to Tate! We wish him all the best as he enters a new and exciting chapter of his life.
Party member, Celeste Lipp, presented the award to Tate.
Meet Hayden Lamoreaux, our graduating senior award winner from West Jefferson High School!
Hayden will attend the University of Cincinnati to study Mechanical Engineering. While a student, Hayden was involved with mock trial, soccer and track. She was a member of the National Honor Society and was a scholar athlete.
Hayden wrote her application essay on participating in Mock Trials. An excerpt from her essay:
“... mock trial fueled my competitive nature, it’s also strengthened my citizenship. All three years, I’ve competed as an attorney; sophomore year for the defense, junior year for the plaintiff, and senior year for both the prosecution and the defense. Each year’s case is centered around a specific Constitutional issue; I’ve argued the 8th, 1st, and 4th amendment either to protect a client or defend the State’s actions.” “Competing for my high school mock trial is the perfect channel for my competitive edge. It’s a place where I flourish.”
Congratulations to Hayden! We wish her all the best at the University of Cincinnati.
Party member, Mike Gorman, presented the award to Hayden.
Meet Tyler Martin, our graduating senior award winner from Madison Plains High School.
Tyler plans to attend Ohio Wesleyan University to major in English/Education.
While a student Tyler engaged in Key Club and football. He was an Honor Roll student, a member of the National Honor Society and a Camp Cotubic Counselor.
Tyler demonstrates his support in democracy through participation in peaceful protests and by signing petitions to advance candidates and issues to the ballot.
An excerpt from his application essay:
“As life walked past me during my high school years, it was quickly made clear that not everyone was on equal footing. Students are met with the difficult challenge of navigating through an adult world with adult issues, while not having the ability to fend for themselves. Issues such as poverty, lack of food, and lack of safe spaces. As a result, students are often forced to seek asylum at their schools, searching for the things they lack in their home lives. It became my mission to advocate for these students and for my high school to help provide the things they needed, helping me learn that citizenship is a duty to give back to your community.”
Congratulations to Tyler! We wish him all the best as he pursues his dreams at Ohio Wesleyan University.
Party member, Peggy Garrison, presented our award to Tyler.
Meet Mark Goode, our graduating senior award winner from Jonathan Alder Hight School! Mark will attend Ashland University in Ashland Ohio to major in data analytics.
While a student, Mark participated in cross country and track (he was a state qualifier in track for multiple years!) Mark was in the National Honor Society and was his class Valedictorian.He was a part of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and he participated in FUEL Work Camp at Sharon Mennonite Church. Mark helped his community get a levy passed to replace the Plain City Pool.
An excerpt from Mark's application essay:
“Being a citizen of a community no matter how small or how large is an important responsibility. I've had the opportunity to grow up in a community that has been greatly supported by citizens who value and take pride in their community. “
“... as an adult, I continue to model citizenship by registering and voting for the first time last fall, registering for Selective Service, staying informed on local, state and national issues which impact myself and the world around me and finally, by obeying laws. Citizenship isn't just an abstract concept, it's part of who I am, have been for most of my life and will continue to be.”
Congratulations to Mark! We wish him the all the best in his next chapter of life!
The daughter of Howard Foust, Laura Foust Vowell, presented our award to Mark.