2025 STOBER scholarship winners announced

STOBER Drives, Inc. has named Cecilia “Cece” Hiatt, Will Kelsch, Karlee Mellenkamp, and Grace Wooten winners of the 2025 Ashley Hurst, Ray Williams, Mike Noel, & Logan Cooper Memorial Scholarship.

Cecilia “Cece” Hiatt, daughter of STOBER employee Joe Hiatt, is a senior at Mason County High School. She is a member of the Beta Club, HOSA, National Honors Society, and Smile Club, runs cross country, and does track and field. She also gives back to the community through the Mason County Food Bank, American Red Cross, and volunteering at the hospital. After high school graduation, Cece plans to attend Lindsey Wilson College and study biology.

Will Kelsch, brother of Tanner Kelsch, is a senior at Augusta Independent School. He is a member of Sources of Strength, Green Dot, and BETA Club, and plays basketball, baseball, and track and field. Will volunteers at church, helps with youth basketball leagues and summer camps, and plans to attend Northern Kentucky University and study cyber security.

Karlee Mellenkamp, daughter of STOBER employee Adam Mellenkamp, is a senior at St. Patrick High School. She is a member of National Honor Society, yearbook committee, and Smile Club, and also plays soccer, volleyball, and is a cheerleader. In her spare time, Karlee volunteers at St. James Church, Lions Club, middle school sports teams, and delivers baskets for Easter. In summer 2024, she attended the Kentucky Governor’s School for Entrepreneurs. Upon high school graduation, Karlee plans to attend Morehead State University and study respiratory therapy.

Grace Wooten, daughter of STOBER employee Tony Donahue, is a senior at Chaparral High School in Temecula, CA. Grace is a member of National Honor Society, Unified Sports, and Jesus Club. In addition to playing softball and leading small groups at her church, Grace volunteers at her church and the Unified Sports program. She plans to attend university and study elementary education.

The Ray Williams, Ashely Hurst, Mike Noel, and Logan Cooper Memorial Scholarship was established in remembrance of employees who passed away during their employment at STOBER.  The scholarship program has awarded multiple $500 scholarships each year since 2016 to help students pursue their plans to attend college or trade school.

The scholarship is first open to family members of full-time STOBER employees.  If there are no qualified applicants from STOBER families, the scholarship opens to all graduating seniors of local high schools including Bracken, Mason, Fleming, Lewis, Robertson, Adams, and Brown counties.  Applicants must be pursuing college or trade school after graduation and must have at least a 3.0 GPA and complete an essay as part of the application. 

This year’s scholarship recipients were honored with a reception at STOBER on March 18.