Milford Exempted Village School District proudly announces that 26 of its outstanding students have been awarded the 2025 Ohio Governor's Merit Scholarship. Established under Governor DeWine’s leadership and now in its second year, this prestigious scholarship provides up to $5,000 annually for four years. It is designed to recognize academic excellence and encourage Ohio's top high school graduates to pursue higher education within the state.
This morning, College Readiness & Career Counselor Elizabeth Emmons gathered the students to share the exciting news, allowing them to celebrate this significant accomplishment together alongside their peers.
One of the recipients, Caitlyn Philhower, shared her thoughts on receiving the scholarship. "It feels very honoring. I never thought I would ever get anything like this," Philhower said.
The scholarship is awarded to students in the top 5% of their class, aiming to support Ohio's brightest minds as they continue their education at in-state institutions.
Philhower plans to use the scholarship to attend UC Blue Ash and pursue a degree in Business Finance, noting that the financial support will significantly ease her college expenses. She explained that the scholarship will cover nearly all of her college expenses for the first two years and half for the last two years, enabling her to focus on her studies without the burden of financial stress.
Philhower’s principal, Robert Hatfield, expressed pride in her accomplishment, highlighting how she embodies the diverse and driven spirit of the Milford Academy's student body and serves as a role model for her peers.
"Caitlyn’s achievement exemplifies the dedication we see in our Milford Academy students. Her success serves as a powerful example for others," said Hatfield.
The Milford community is proud of all 26 scholarship recipients and looks forward to their continued success in higher education and beyond. See the full list of recipients below:
Max Ackermann
Samuel Dennis
Emma Drescher
Avery Faulkner
Sloan Gormley
Bryson Heller
Nicholas Henke
Aaron Hoevener
Ainsley Hull
Jillian Kuhn
William Laslo-Haer
Jacob Lierl
Clarissa MacFarland
Aubreanna O'Neill
Rafael Ortiz-Rivera
Cameron Owens
Krish Patel
Veer Patel
Micah Perry
Hadley Robinson
Allison Rupert
Elliott Skinner
Grace Stitt
Kaitlyn Tassiello
Riya Terala
Caitlyn Philihower