Janet & John Rehman Scholarship

Janet & John Rehman Scholarship Fund

Ray E. Leach

The Rehmans instructed students in grade levels ranging from preschool through adult during their thirty-five years in education, with a portion spent at Barberton City Schools. Both began as teachers, then Janet progressed to counseling and John moved to school administration. For ten of those years, the Rehmans were employed at prestigious American-based International Schools in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Being career educators, the Rehmans understand the burden of college debt. They established their scholarship to support Barberton High School graduates entering their fourth (senior) year of college.

Regarding the decision to support college seniors, the Rehmans said, “In their final collegiate year, most students are encumbered with practicums and field experiences in addition to intense studies. Hopefully, our scholarship will help ease the stress of their already taxing obligations.” Additionally, the scholarship requires that recipients be pursuing a baccalaureate degree in a “helping” profession, meaning a field in education, social work, or a healthcare related area. The Rehmans believe that working to attend college can be challenging and rewarding. The scholarship recipient must have provided a significant portion of all previous higher education tuition expenses through employment and/or student loans.

“Most importantly,” the Rehmans said, “The scholarship will help those most in need. The goal of education is to gain and refine skills to enable the individual to become his ‘best self.’” 

Applications for the Janet & John Rehman Scholarship are currently open! College seniors should apply through the GOapply portal. Applications are due by June 23, 2025 at 8:00 am. 
 

Walt Ritzman Scholarship Fund

Walt Ritzman Scholarship Fund

Established in 2022, the Walt Ritzman Scholarship assists students from Barberton High School (who are also residents of Barberton City School District) who are accepted into the College of Pharmacy at Ohio Northern University or The Ohio State University.

The fund was established by Donna Keim and her son, Mike Keim.

Donna and Walt ran the Barberton Health Clinic for more than 20 years, and she remembers his passion for helping those in need. “He always believed in helping the underserved,” Donna said. “He gave, that is what he did.”

Walt Ritzman passed away on November 1, 2011, and his legacy in Barberton includes running and growing the Ritzman Pharmacy chain, serving as a trustee at Barberton Citizens Hospital and then serving as an inaugural board member of Barberton Community Foundation. He also sponsored school sports teams and volunteered during the Mum Festival. Read more >

 

 

The Rudy & Millie Sharkey Memorial Athletic Scholarship

The Rudy & Millie Sharkey Memorial Athletic Scholarship

Ray E. Leach

Rudy was a Barberton football coach, science teacher, and Athletic Director. Until this 2023 season, Sharkey was Barberton’s all-time leader in football coaching wins with 71 victories in 11 seasons. He is recognized in the Barberton Sports Hall of Fame, Summit County Sports Hall of Fame, and the Ohio High School Coaches Hall of Fame.

The Sharkey family honors Rudy and Millie’s legacy of a true teacher and coach’s passion for sportsmanship and life-long learning. The scholarship makes its first award this year to two Barberton High School seniors who display leadership, determination, and teamwork through BHS athletics.

 

Mike and Bea Tehi Memorial Scholarship Fund

Mike and Bea Tehi Memorial Scholarship Fund

Magical Theatre Co

Both Mike and Bea devoted their careers to educating Barberton students, particularly at BHS. Although Mike passed in 2018, his impact on his family and the community continues to be felt. Mike lived his whole life with integrity and character. Together, Mike and Bea touched and helped to form so many lives over their teaching careers. The family hopes that this scholarship can continue to inspire young teachers and educators for many years to come.