Every spring, Hiram-based Communications Factory advertising agency awards a $1,000 scholarship to a deserving northeastern Ohio high school senior.
The Factory’s goal is to help an area high school senior on his or her way to earning a higher education and, hopefully, encouraging them to become problem-solvers in their communities along the way. To that end, their application requests that the student include a short essay or video featuring a solution to an environmental challenge faced by his or her community.
The 2015 application is due by April 1. Typically, the scholarship is awarded during the winner’s Senior Banquet. Last year, however, the Factory took a different approach — and one that Ms. Allison DeYoung of Field High School in Uniontown won’t likely forget.
Unbeknownst to DeYoung, Brad Turner from the Communications Factory had worked with administrators at Field High School to stage a covert operation on a random day in May. This special event occurred during DeYoung’s English class. At intervals throughout the class period, classmates entered the room one-at-a-time, each handing her a shiny, red, star-shaped Mylar balloon. She sat, mystified. Within a few minutes, nine balloons floated above her desk. When the card attached to balloon number ten was finally delivered, the secret was revealed to the amazement and delight of DeYoung and the rest of her class.
The card read, “While balloons alone are a great way to boost your spirits, what’s inside of each of these will boost it even more. Congratulations, Allison. You’re the winner of the 2014 Communications Factory Scholarship. Pop each balloon and celebrate!” Allison’s teacher handed her a pair of scissors and urged her to start popping the balloons. To her surprise, each contained a tightly rolled one-hundred-dollar bill, one per balloon, for a total of $1,000. To watch her reaction to last year’s win, click here.
Over the past twelve years, the Factory has helped a dozen talented students from places including Akron, Hudson, Mantua, Mentor, Rootstown, Stow and Willoughby on the way toward their future dreams. They’re looking for this year’s recipient, who will be notified in early May, although not necessarily with 10 balloons during his or her English class. To find out more about how the winner could be you or someone you know, download the scholarship application here. But don’t wait — applications must be postmarked by April 1.