Sophia Schroeder, a 2023 graduate of Columbus Bishop Watterson High School, and Eleanor Bogue, a 2023 graduate of Columbus St. Francis DeSales High School, are this year’s recipients of the Wendy O. Ward Foundation memorial scholarships.
Ward’s husband, Chris, a graduate of Columbus St. Charles Preparatory School, established the scholarships in 2015 in memory of his wife, a Hilliard resident who died of breast cancer on May 18, 2012, after a 10-year career as a writer and public relations consultant.
The scholarships are awarded to a graduate of a Columbus diocesan high school who has been involved in school, community and parish activities and has demonstrated academic achievement, particularly in language arts.
Schroeder received $5,000 for college expenses, and Bogue was awarded a $1,000 scholarship. The Ward foundation pays the scholarship money directly to the institution the recipient plans to attend.
Schroeder’s activities at Watterson included cheerleading (varsity captain), Student Council, student ambassador, Environmental Club (president and founder), Wellness Club, National Honor Society, volunteering for recycling efforts and teaching at Columbus St. Agatha Church.
She also was one of Watterson’s valedictorians. Schroeder plans to study environmental science at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.
Bogue, a Worthington St. Michael Church parishioner, was involved in Youth Group, Student Council (junior class vice president, senior class secretary), National Honor Society (treasurer), Italian Club (president), Run the Race Club and the swimming team.
She received DeSales’ Father James M. Berendt Award for outstanding service, leadership, involvement and loyalty. Bogue will attend The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. to major in political science and fine arts.
Wendy Ward, a graduate of Bishop Luers High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and of the University of Dayton, was grateful for her Catholic education and always said she counted herself lucky to do something not all English majors can – use her skills and write every day for her company, Constructive Communication, Inc., where she was vice president.
Her husband and children, Caroline and Jack, hope the scholarships will help provide others with the same opportunity.