Three Ohio students, all with experience working with OPRA member agencies, have been awarded scholarships for the 2025-26 academic year by the OPRA Foundation.
In announcing the winners, Foundation President Andy Collins said that the three students “represent the future of the profession. We were fortunate to have outstanding candidates for these scholarships and look forward to watching the careers of our recipients continue to develop.”
Kelly Gray will receive the John McComb Scholarship. Currently the Fitness and Corporate Wellness Supervisor for Hilliard Parks and Recreation, she is pursuing a master’s degree from The University of Cincinnati in Community Health and Prevention Science. Kelly believes that “we must create systems where health systems, school systems, gyms, spas, food banks, grocery stores, and mental and physical health practitioners work together. Parks and recreation centers are ideal spaces for this collaboration, offering accessible hubs of preventative health and holistic wellness.”
Charlie Marks is the recipient of the Don Schmidt Scholarship. A senior at Kent State University, majoring in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Management, Charlie has served in the field with departments in Tallmadge and Cuyahoga Falls. Charlie is dedicated to the idea “that there should be more mental health resources in the recreation and travel industry. I would like to help educate people and make travel and recreation experiences more inclusive for those struggling with mental health issues but also love to travel and experience new things.”
Allie Carter is the winner of the Jody Stowers Scholarship. A senior at The Ohio State University in Forestry, Fisheries & Wildlife, she has served with the City of Lancaster as an outdoor education assistant. She believes that “people who enjoy spending time in nature will want to support and preserve parks. We can equip park visitors with a sense of the importance of nature, and with the knowledge of how to protect it. With their voices joined with ours, it will be easier to get levies passed or raise funds to improve the parks.”
Scholarships are possible because of the contributions of OPRA members to the OPRA Foundation. To donate, or learn more about the foundation, visit https://www.opraonline.org/opra/OPRA_Foundation.asp.