Scholarship Awards-Background and History

Clarence & Edell Slade Memorial Scholarship

Robert K. Slade a lifelong Batavian graduated in 1942.  He was an author, lecturer, collector and music lyricist.  Following a career in education he retired as the Clermont County Assistant Superintendent of Schools. Bob was a loyal supporter of Batavia Schools and the Alumni, serving as an officer.  He was responsible for preserving a great deal of Clermont County's history. This scholarship was established upon his death in 1995 from his estate to honor his father and mother and is chosen by the Alumni.  He left $8,000 to the Alumni Association, which was invested in the Anstaett Fund and again was match by Carroll Anstaett where it will generate an annual award.

Betty Moyer Miller Memorial Scholarship

The initial scholarship for $500 is a result of donations to the Alumni Association from Betty’s many friends and acquaintances.  It will be awarded to a student pursuing nursing, music, or business. Betty Moyer Miller was born in 1918 and lived all her life in and around Batavia.  She was in the graduating class of 1935 and the third of four sisters (who also graduated from BHS). The Batavia Alumni Association was very important to Betty, and she was an active member up to the time of a stroke in June 2001, which resulted in her death on September 25, 2001. Betty was a very kind, thoughtful, caring and loving person who is greatly missed by many.  To keep her memory alive, Betty’s family will make the Betty Miller Scholarship an annual award.

Ruby Hamilton Memorial Scholarship

Her son James Hamilton began this scholarship in 1990.  Jim's original contribution of $8,000 has grown to $20,000 and he has continued to add to this fund.  The Alumni awards an annual $500 scholarship in Mrs. Hamilton's name.  She was a resident of Luka, West Virginia and attended Salem College.  She came to Batavia as a first and second grade teacher.  Ruby influenced the lives of many over the 26 years she taught here.  Her greatest joy came in teaching children how to read.  Her children, James and Sue, are 1960 and 1965 graduates.  Jim obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from Ohio State.  He has gone on to obtain many banking and investment certifications, has served on the YMCA Board of Directors for 25 years and is a Senior Vice President for Federated Investors.  He and his wife Mary live in Pittsburgh, Pa.  They have a son Michael and a daughter Becky. Jim wanted to honor his mother who has given so much to the school system and the community.  The scholarship is to go to a student interested in elementary teaching, as this was so important to both his parents.

Woodrow W. Hamilton Scholarship

This scholarship was started in 1996 by Jim Hamilton to honor his father.  A $500 scholarship is awarded each year to an agriculture or education student. Woody came to Batavia in 1945, from West Virginia as the Clermont County Extension Agent for 29 years.  He attended both Salem College and West Virginia University.  He enjoyed farming and gardening.  His greatest joy came in working with the people of Clermont County.  Mr. Hamilton is now retired in Amarillo, Texas.

M. Susan Hamilton Scholarship

Jim donated additional funds in 1998 to create a $500 annual scholarship to honor his sister Susan.  This scholarship will also be awarded to someone interested in education. Susan, born in Batavia attended Batavia Schools and graduated in 1965.  She attended Miami University, received a Home Economics degree from Ohio State University and a Masters degree from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Susan wrote the book, "Divorce, How to Feel it, Live it and Let go" in 1996 while living in England.  She is actively involved in church and other community activities.  Susan and her son Joshua now reside in Concord, Massachusetts. Jim set up these scholarships to honor three important people in his life and in the lives of many Batavians whom they touched.

P. Thomas & Sharon Kent Memorial Scholarship

Sharon Friend Kent, a 1969 Batavia graduate and Tom's employer, Senco Products, along with many friends and business associates, set up this ongoing scholarship upon his death in December, 2000 following a long battle with cancer.  The $7,000 fund donations were placed in the Anstaett Fund where Carroll Anstaett agreed once again to match them. Sadly Sharon also lost a battle to cancer in 2001.  Her friends and family have added $1550 to this fund in her name.  This money will be added to the Anstaett Fund as well.  The Kent's daughter, Beth is a 1998 BHS graduate and son Chris a 2000 graduate. Tom worked tirelessly as President of the Batavia Boosters and both he and Sharon could be seen at every event helping out in some capacity even during their illness.  He was a Senior Buyer for Senco Products and Sharon was a Batavia Elementary teacher until two weeks before her death.  They were avid supporters of Batavia Schools and are greatly missed.  Sharon was actively involved in the scholarship selections and believed strongly in this program. This scholarship goes to a student who excels in both academics and sports.

  Juanita Frazer Greber Memorial Scholarship

The Greber Scholarship began in 1994 as a result of donations from many of Juanita's friends and associates upon her death.  A $500 annual scholarship was set up by her husband Joe to honor his wife in 1995.  Juanita was a 1956 graduate of Batavia.  She worked tirelessly for many years on the Alumni Board.  She served in almost every board position including president.  She and Joe helped with every banquet since her term as president.  Juanita has played a key part in making the Alumni Association what it is today.  Everyone misses her enthusiasm and energy. Juanita, an accomplished musician, played the organ for her church, many programs and weddings.  She and Joe were sports fans and often traveled with the Reds for spring training. This scholarship goes to a music major and Juanita would be so pleased to see the results of her many years of dedicated service to the community and the Batavia Alumni carried on in this fashion.

Holman Family Scholarship

Glen and Mary Holman who have done business in the area for the past 50 years (22 years on Main Street in Batavia) set up this scholarship in 1995.  Their four sons - Eric, Bari, Mark and Greg are Batavia High graduates. They are committed to awarding an ongoing $1000 scholarship to a Batavia graduate who expresses an interest in the fields of business, or education and participates in extra curricular activities.  The Holmans have also supported the new school with several large contributions.

Dr. O. Wesley McBride Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was begun in 1994 as a result of donations collected by Mr. McBride's classmates upon his death.  Mrs. Christine McBride, his mother then donated $10,000 to honor her son.  Wes’ classmates donated an additional $1,200 to this fund in 2000.  This annual award goes to a male science major. Wesley graduated from Batavia in 1950.  He then attended Muskingum College on a full scholarship.  He continued on to obtain his medical degree from Johns Hopkins University and to do his residency. He then began a lifelong pursuit studying human genetics.  Wesley's many contributions to gene mapping are a lasting testament to scientific vision and persistence.  He was an inspiring teacher and mentor.  He began his work at University Hospital, Cleveland and finished his life works as the Chief, Cellular Regulation Section, Lab of Biochemistry, National Cancer Institute, in Baltimore.  He has almost 140 published works in the field of genetics. Wes also had time for his wife Mary Anne, a teacher, their two children; Dr. Mark McBride of Atlanta, Ga. and Anne McBride an attorney in Washington D. C..  He has two grandchildren Ryan and Colin. His daughter Anne says, "He truly was a self starter, he would have been very proud to have his name associated with a scholarship.  He valued education above all else."  Mrs. McBride's generous donation will see that his work is carried on.

Carroll Anstaett Endowment

Carroll Anstaett set up this fund in 1992 with $10,000.  He has agreed to match donations since then of $25,675. Mr. Anstaett added $15,500 in 2002 to provide an annual award to a BHS Senior attending Miami University. Carroll is a 1943 Batavia graduate.  He attended Miami University, U.S. Naval Academy and Syracuse University where he graduated with a degree in Business Finance.  He played baseball for all three schools.  Carroll is First VP-Branch Manager of Smith Barney's Olean, NY office.  He missed his 1st day of work for health reasons in 46 years in August 1999.  He has the largest number of shareholders of American Funds in the U.S. (His endowment is invested in an American Fund).  He still works 7 days a week. Carroll participates in golf tournaments regularly, including the Bob Hope, Sinatra and Las Vegas International.  His wife, Delores is acknowledged as one of the best 74-year-old skiers in the U.S.  He has two children, Wendy, who lives in Marietta, Georgia a graduate of William and Mary with over 20 years in computer marketing finance with IBM, and Gary, a Communications graduate of Miami University, a TV producer in Orlando, Florida. Carroll stated, "It's been more than 55 years since I lived in Batavia but I still think of it as home.  I really get a lot of satisfaction in being able to help with the scholarship program.  It's great to see the alumni organization so active."

Bob & Rosy Winemiller Endowment

The Alumni received a pleasant surprise recently when Bob sent $10,000 from his home in Tampa, Florida to establish this ongoing scholarship. Bob and his wife Rosabelle (Rosy) M. Weinmann were 1942 graduates of Batavia.  After Bob served in World War II he came home and married Rosy at the Faith Methodist Church in 1945 (they had been sweethearts since 1938). Bob then graduated from the University of Dayton in 1950 with a degree in Civil Engineering.  He and Rosy had three sons, Glen, Chris and Jeff.  Rosy started college part time in 1956.  She graduated from the University of Dayton in 1968 with an education degree and received her master’s degree in 1971.  She later received a Paralegal Assistant award in 1993. Bob who was a civil engineer for the City of Dayton retired in 1985 and they moved to Florida.  He lost Rosy to ovarian cancer in 1994. Bob recently visited Batavia for his 55th class reunion.  He says he and Rosy considered their education at Batavia the stepping-stone to their higher education.  He is thankful for all his wonderful teachers. This scholarship goes to an engineering or education major.

Fred C. & Jennie Himes Memorial Scholarship

Fred and Jennie Himes moved to a small farm just outside of Batavia in the spring of 1928.  Their three children, Charles, Cecil and Charlotte attended and graduated from Batavia High School in 1930,1933 and 1941 respectively. During World War II Fred and Jennie moved to Cincinnati where Fred worked in a war industry.  After the war, they remained in Cincinnati.  Fred passed away in 1965 and Jennie in 1985, just short of her 98th birthday. The Fred C. and Jennie Himes Memorial Scholarship was established by Col. Cecil Himes in 1985 as a living legacy to his parents.  Col. Himes attended West Point and retired from the Army in the spring of 1967.  Originally this was a four-year, $4,000 scholarship awarded every four years to a Batavia High School graduate in the top five or 20% of the class, who also participated in extra curricular activities.  Col. Himes increased the amount of the award to $6,000 over four years in 1986.  It will be awarded as long as there is a Batavia High School. In addition Colonel & Mrs. Himes attend many banquets and personally meet with the recipient when possible.  His continuing support of BHS is impressive.

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