Franklin B. Walter Award winners listed

Western Buckeye ESC news

Van Wert and Paulding county winners of the Franklin B. Walter Award for 2013 have been selected.

Sandra Freeman, coordinator of gifted services for the Western Buckeye Educational Serviced Center, has announced that Claire Dye and Graden Gudakunst have been selected as the 2013 recipients of the award.

The Franklin B. Walter Award, which was established in 1989 by Ohio’s county superintendents, is given to one senior in each of Ohio’s 88 counties annually to recognize and promote student achievement and academic accomplishment.

Dye, a senior at Lincolnview High School and the daughter of Kelly and Beth Dye, is the Van Wert County winner, while Gudakunst, a senior at Wayne Trace High School and the son of Jeffrey and Kerry Gudakunst, is the Paulding County winner.

Dye ranks first in her graduating class and has earned recognition as a scholar-athlete in each of her four years of high school. She is the vice president of the school’s National Honor Society chapter and is captain of the Lincolnview Lady Lancer basketball team.

After graduation, she will attend the University of Akron to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

Gudakunst is president of the Wayne Trace Student Council and a varsity letter winner in golf and basketball. He is involved in many community and church activities and plans a college major in biology, with minors in chemistry and business.

Dye and Gudakunst, their parents, and school representatives will be honored guests at the award program and luncheon at the Ohio Educational Service Center Association’s conference in the Lewis Center in Columbus on April 10.

The award bears the name of Dr. Franklin B. Walter, who served as state superintendent from 1977-1991. During his tenure, Dr. Walter worked with three governors, significantly improved public education in the state and brought Ohio’s schools to the forefront of the nation’s attention.

He has received numerous honors and has earned the respect and admiration of educators nationwide. His integrity, leadership, optimism and commitment serves as an example for all.