Scholarship endowed by Ellen Binkley Hill

Carlton and Carolyn Binkley spent their lives devoted to their family and to the schools of Blanchester and Clinton County. In the Blanchester Schools, Mr. Binkley served as a teacher, Assistant Principal, and Principal and then at the Clinton County Educational Service Center as Secondary Supervisor and Clinton County Superintendent. In 1967 a new high school was built, and Principal Binkley spent many hours at school during the day and for evening sports and other activities. Mr. Binkley was dedicated to building a school culture that was inclusive and welcoming with high expectations for his teachers and students. In all he spent over 40 years serving the students of Blanchester and Clinton County. Carolyn assisted him in his job by staying home and raising their four children. When the children were all in school, Carolyn took a position as a secretary in the Clinton County Education Office and worked there until they both retired in 1990.

This scholarship will be awarded to a Senior of Blanchester High School who will be attending an accredited college of teacher education. The $1000.00 scholarship will be awarded to two students t in good standing who have been identified by a school counselor at Blanchester High School as a student with a desire to become an educator and who may also have financial need. Payment will be made to the student and may be used for any need the student may have as he/she prepares for college. 

Restrictions: Blanchester graduate who will be majoring in Education
Amount: Up to $1000. 

How to Apply: Applications and Instructions are available through the Guidance Counselor at Blanchester High School. 937.783.2461 

Iva Jean (Irvin) Carnahan and Raymond Norman Carnahan devoted their lives to the love of children and the importance of education. To this end, they wisely saved and invested their earnings in order to leave as their legacy and annual award of $10,000 per year for four years to a Blanchester High School Student to attend Wilmington College.

       Both Iva Jean and Norman were raised in Blanchester, Ohio. Both were born in 1913, attended schools in the area, and graduated from Blanchester High School. Iva Jean attended Wilmington College where she received her teaching degree. She taught primary school for 39 years in Goshen, Wilmington, and Dayton. Norman worked as a meat cutter in the Dayton area most of his life. He served in Europe during World War II. He and Iva Jean were married after his return from the war, and they lived and worked in the Dayton area.

      Although they had no children, their concern for the education of children and providing help to those desiring a college education who could use some assistance, motivated them over the years to live frugally in order to help as many students as possible attain their degree from Wilmington College.

Restrictions: Student must be registered as a full-time student at Wilmington College

Award: Up to $10,000/year, renewable for an additional three years

How to Apply: Applications and Instructions are available through the Guidance Counselor at Blanchester High School. 937.783.2461 

Harold McLaughlin was a resident of Blanchester who worked as a plastics engineer. His positive influence has been felt through multiple generations. His children were educators and furthered literacy. Two of his grandchildren and one great-grandchild have pursued the study of chemical engineering. This scholarship has been created to further the love of chemistry, materials science, and plastics engineering from Blanchester.

This $1000 scholarship will be awarded to a Senior of Blanchester High School who will be attending an accredited college in the fields of plastics, polymer science, material sciences, chemistry, or chemical engineering, or related fields

Restrictions: Blanchester High School graduate attending an accredited college or university and pursuing a career in plastics, polymer science, material sciences, chemistry, chemical engineering, or related fields. 

Award: $1000

How to Apply: Applications and Instructions are available through the Guidance Counselor at Blanchester High School. 937.783.2461 

The Ledford Scholarship was created in 2021 by Ernest and Claire (Vallandingham) Ledford, Dr. Alan and Emily Ledford, and Eric and Benicia Ledford.  All family members except Benicia are graduates of Blanchester Local Schools.  

After graduating from Blanchester High School in 1953, Ernie was drafted for military service. In the early 1960s, when female athletics was just getting started, Claire was involved in several sports. She was most remembered for her time as a softball player. Claire served as a member of the Blanchester Local Schools Board for more than 25 years. Ernie and Claire have two sons, Eric and Alan.  Both Eric, a 1996 graduate, and Alan, a 1998 graduate, played several sports at Blanchester High School. Emily Ledford is also a 1998 graduate from Blanchester High School and was also very involved in high school athletics. Emily is currently the Assistant Director of Special Education for Blanchester Local Schools. She is a graduate of Wilmington College and has earned a master’s degree from Wright State. Eric is a graduate of Wright State University and now lives with his family in Raleigh, NC.  Dr. Alan Ledford is a 2002 graduate of Wilmington College, holds a master degree from East Tennessee State and obtained a doctoral degree from United States Sports Academy in 2016. The Ledford family valued the educational and social experiences they received at Blanchester Local Schools and within the Blanchester community.  The Ledford family wants to share their support with Blanchester High School graduating seniors. 

This scholarship will be awarded to a Senior of Blanchester High School who will be furthering their education at a two or four year college, enrolling in military service, or any vocational training program. The $500.00 will be awarded to an outstanding student who has been identified by a committee based on financial need and likelihood of future success.  Payment will be made to the college or trade school.  If the awardee is going to the military, the student will receive the payment directly.

Restrictions: Blanchester high school graduate attending 2-year college, 4-year college, trade school, or military.  

Award: Up to $500.00

How to Apply: Applications and Instructions are available through the Guidance Counselor at Blanchester High School. 937.783.2461 

Ken Roush spent his teaching career in the Blanchester Schools. Ken taught for 32 years, mostly at Blanchester Local Schools as a sixth-grade science teacher. He also farmed since he was a child, at his parents’ and grandparents’ farms, and owned, operated and managed Brown-Roush Farm since the 1960s, which has received an Ohio Sesquicentennial Farm designation from the Governor’s Office and the Ohio Department of Agriculture. 

The purpose of this $1000 scholarship is to encourage students to enter the field of agriculture and to prepare them for such a career through an organized program of study in a college/university or two-year tech school or college.

Restrictions: Blanchester High School senior pursuing a career in the field of agriculture at a college/university or a 2-year tech school or college. 

Award: $1000

How to Apply: Applications and Instructions are available through the Guidance Counselor at Blanchester High School. 937.783.2461 

Scholarship provided by the Wilson Family to a Blanchester High School graduate pursuing a career in agriculture. 

Restrictions: Blanchester High School senior pursuing a career in the field of agriculture at a college/university or a 2-year tech school or college. 

Award: $250

How to Apply: Applications and Instructions are available through the Guidance Counselor at Blanchester High School. 937.783.2461