Seth Auger of Oak Harbor High School is the winner of the 2024 CIHS scholarship. (Submitted photo)

Maria Maringer of Danbury High School is the winner of the Van Der Giessen scholarship. (Submitted photo)

Last year, the Catawba Island Historical Society (CIHS) began offering an annual $1000 academic scholarship to a senior graduating from one of Ottawa County’s six high schools. In 2024, a second $1000 scholarship was added, one funded by founding Historical Society Trustee William Van Der Giessen and his wife Darleen. Interested students submit applications for both through their guidance counselors and recipients are selected by a committee of CIHS board members.

The winner of the 2024 CIHS scholarship was Seth Auger from Oak Harbor High School. He will attend the University of Toledo to pursue Adolescent and Young Adult Studies – History Education. In addition to carrying nearly a perfect 4.0 GPA, Auger is president of the student council and president of his senior class. He plays varsity soccer and tennis and is a member of the National Honor Society.

The Society’s Van Der Giessen scholarship was awarded to Maria Maringer from Danbury High School. Maringer’s 4.0 GPA included class credits from Danbury, as well as from Bowling Green State University and the University of Findlay. She is president of her class, treasurer of the student council, and a member of the National Honor Society. She is also an active participant on the school’s cross country, track and basketball teams. Maringer plans to attend Notre Dame University to study Applied and Computational Mathematics and Statistics with a minor in Actuarial Science.

“Administration of funds distributed for both scholarships will be handled by the Ottawa County Community Foundation,” said Catawba Island Historical Society President, David Wonnell. “Income from money invested there should perpetually underwrite the CIHS scholarship. It is anticipated that the origin of the invested funds will be public contributions. The new scholarship, however, will be funded solely by the Van Der Giessens.”