Page 4 - Dresden Buzz 01/23/2026

PAGE 4 | LOCAL NEWS JANUARY 23 - FEBRUARY 5, 2026
Make Muskingum Home class of 2026 recognized by

County Commissioners BY LYNETTE DOTSON | DRESDEN BUZZ

and M.H. Straker Charitable Foundation
truly have what is in the best interest of
Muskingum in mind. They’re looking not
only for today, but they’re looking for 5
to 10 to 20 years down the road. And
that, it just makes me feel awesome to
be a part of it.”
This year, 12 professionals were se-
lected out of 79 applicants. Each recipi-
ent was awarded up to $50,000 in stu-
dent debt relief to be released over the
next five years. The 2026 MMH award
winners were:
• Elizabeth Bennett
Clinical Pharmacist at Genesis
• Roman Staley
Registered Nurse at Genesis
• Dr. Makayla Heil
Veterinarian
• Jenna Burkhart
Teacher at Bishop Fenwick
• Dr. Kilie Pletcher
Dentist at MVHC
• Samantha Moore
Clinical Pharmacist at Genesis
• Charles Hall
Lab Manager at Muskingum
University
• Krae Merryman
Principal at Foxfire Schools
• Jeffrey Shaffer
Teacher at Tri-Valley Schools
• Olivia Simon
Teacher at West Muskingum Schools
• Samantha Ramsey
Marketing & Communications
Manager at Zane State College
Make Muskingum Home recipients took pictures with the county commissioners and representatives from the Straker and Muskingum • Mackenzie Bice
foundations. Pictured from left to right are: BACK ROW - Charles Hall, Krae Merryman, Roman Staley, Susan Holdren, Mackenzie Bice, Student Services Supervisor at
and Jeffrey Shaffer; MIDDLE ROW - County Commissioners Melissa Bell and Cindy Cameron; FRONT ROW: Dr. Kilie Pletcher, Olivia Simon, Muskingum Valley Educational
Samantha Ramsey, Dr. Makayla Heil, Jenna Burkhart, Samantha Moore and Elizabeth Bennett (not pictured, Beth Fox). Lynette Dotson Service Center

“It’s just so, so exciting because we
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
feel like we almost know them already
because we’ve seen their videos,” ex-
Commissioners Melissa Bell and Cindy Straker Foundation, to the Community lives that is just too much. And so these plained Susan Holdren, President and
Cameron addressed the room. Foundation, to be able to continue to foundations understand that,” explained Executive Director of the J.W. & M.H.
“I think we can probably both agree provide this funding for our young peo- Beth Fox, Director of Programs for the Straker Charitable Foundation. “The vid-
that this is a highlight of our year,” stat- ple in the community.” Muskingum County Community Founda- eos are extremely, extremely important.
ed Commissioner Bell. “We make lots The proclamation stated the follow- tion and Director of Special Projects for And to see their faces, and all the reac-
of tough decisions in the commission- ing: The commissioners of Muskingum the J.W. & M.H. Straker Charitable Foun- tions are not the same. Some people
er’s office, but sitting around this table, County, Ohio, congratulate [recipient dation. “They also understand that Musk- are just overwhelmed, some people
working on this process is one of the name] on being a recipient of the Make ingum County needs these individuals. cry, and some people just jump up and
toughest, but also one of the most re- Muskingum Home Scholarship Award. These are high-performing profession- down. I mean, it’s all the range, and it’s
warding. You know, we’ll never have the Our sincerest thank you for contribut- als with degrees in areas that we need, just a wonderful thing to be able to be
opportunity to be able to award these ing to a vibrant and thriving Muskingum dentistry, mental health, education, part of the funding that goes into chang-
kinds of dollars to people that are mak- community. Signed this day by the com- and nursing. These are quality degrees. ing people’s lives. I really can’t think of
ing a difference in our community, and missioners. And so these two foundations come to- anything better.”
if we can say nothing else, we say thank “The fact that we have two founda- gether, they take a pool of money, and For further information about MMH,
you. Thank you for choosing Muskingum tions within our community that under- they help out with student debt. And in please visit www.makemuskingum-
County.” stand the stress of student debt and turn, what do we get? We get committed home.org online.
“This is the first time that we have had how that can be such a contributing fac- people who feel supported, who want to
the opportunity to present proclama- tor to so many other things, whether it’s, stay and make a difference in our com-
tions to each of the winners,” Commis- you know, our decisions to buy houses, munity. And it’s the whole purpose in
sioner Cameron added. “It is incredibly our decisions to have children, our deci- this whole program from start to finish ADVERTISE IN THE DRESDEN BUZZ.
meaningful, because we really believe in sions to go back to school. Student debt just shows us that the Muskingum Coun- 740-270-2408
this program. We are so grateful to the has become one of those things in our ty Community Foundation and the J.W.

Y-City Barbershop Chorus

COVER STORY CONTINUED

fast-paced, fun performance that has improve. Methodist Church. Barbershop Chorus President Steven
everybody tapping their toes and really "If anybody needs a friend, needs a "If you decide you want to join, we Chambers.
understands we're singing with a cap- hobby, that loves to sing, this is the place belong to the Barbershop Harmony So- In celebration of Valentine's Day, the
pella, God's given instrument. There is to come and try and see what a cappella ciety, which with that it pays all of our group is offering Singing Valentines on
no band to keep you in tune. These guys singing does for them. You really can't ASCAP and BMI fees to sing all this Friday, February 13. The experience in-
work very hard at this hobby," stated Di- sing. We can teach," stated Boyer. music," explained Boyer. "You can pay cludes a special delivery of a red rose
rector Karen Boyer. The Y-City Barbershop Chorus can of- monthly dues, or you can pay once a and a box of chocolates from a quartet,
Besides providing a place for fellow- ten be seen singing for visitors at the year to join. But you can come three, plus a message sung by four members
ship, to unwind, and make new friends, First Friday Art Walks. They also perform four, eight times to decide if you really of the Chorus. The cost to schedule your
joining the chorus also means members at an annual show in September as well like it before you commit anything like Singing Valentine is $40. Reservations
have access to free one-on-one voice as at other sing-outs, including around a that." can be made by calling 740-586-0044.
lessons. A few educators, specializing in dozen Christmas performances. "We're a brotherhood, and we want to For more information, please visit yci-
music, are currently members and lend Practices are held on Mondays from give people an outlet, you know, to es- tychorus.org.
their talent to help anyone wanting to 7:00 PM until 9:00 PM at Grace United cape from their day-to-day," added Y-City