4 Ohio Students Win Music Scholarships for Faith, Talent

Musical talent met community service in the best way possible when four Ohio students received Gertrude C. Kuehefuhs scholarships for their outstanding contributions to choral and instrumental music.

The $250 awards recognize students who don't just play or sing beautifully. They also use their gifts to serve others through liturgical music, nursing home performances, and mentoring younger musicians.

Steven Simpson, a New Philadelphia Tuscarawas Central Catholic graduate, spent 12 years mastering piano and played at Mass so consistently it became central to his faith life. The future psychiatry student brought music to nursing homes during Christmas and earned recognition from the Tusc-Holmes Music Teachers Association while balancing cross country, mock trial, and serving as a Eucharistic minister.

Zanesville Bishop Rosecrans graduate Jaclyn Connell turned her three-time Rotary Club Music Award into a springboard for her theater dreams. She cantored at her parish while leading her class as president and interning at Short North Stage, heading to Coastal Carolina University to study musical theatre.

Eighth grader Anthony Amweg spent three years in the Bishop Watterson Area Honor Band while serving his Columbus St. Andrew School community as a student council member and altar server. The trombone player even earned Youth of the Year from the Knights of Columbus while making sandwiches for St. Vincent de Paul and leading Bible School groups.

Elizabeth Tetreault graduates from Reynoldsburg St. Pius X School with honors in choir, jazz band, and as percussion section leader. She didn't just master her own instruments but took time to mentor beginners in the band's percussion section while cantoring weekly Masses.

Sunny's Take

These four students represent something beautiful happening in education. They're learning that talent grows strongest when shared with others.

The scholarship honors Gertrude C. Kuehefuhs, who spent her life as a music instructor at Ohio State University and member of the Columbus St. Joseph Cathedral choir. Her legacy lives on through students who understand that music connects people to faith, joy, and community in ways that transcend performance.

Each recipient will use their award toward Catholic high school or college tuition, continuing journeys that blend artistic passion with service to others.