Three Olentangy-area seniors each earned a $1,000 college scholarship from the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA), the organization announced Sept. 3.

Antonio Kish and Elle O'Brien, both from Olentangy Liberty in Powell, and Paige Chen from Olentangy High School in Lewis Center were among 198 graduating seniors statewide selected for the 2026 Scholar-Athlete Scholarship. Kaleigh Lockard of Olentangy Berlin in Delaware also received the award, giving Olentangy-area schools four of the Central District's 28 recipients.

Each scholarship is worth $1,000.

Recipients were chosen by committees within each of the OHSAA's six athletic districts using a point system that weighs grade-point average, class rank, community service, varsity letters and individual and team athletic honors. Students who received NCAA Division I or II athletic scholarships or military academy appointments were not eligible for the award.

OHSAA Executive Director Doug Ute said in the announcement that the recipients exemplify education-based athletics and that the association takes great pride in its scholarship program, congratulating each student on their accomplishments.

The scholarships totaled $198,000 across Ohio. Over the past three years, the OHSAA has distributed $598,000 to graduating seniors through the program, and the $200,000 awarded in both 2024 and 2025 marked the highest totals in the program's 32-year history.

Beyond the student awards, the OHSAA sent $1,250 to every member high school through its Athletic Enrichment Fund, distributing $1,020,000 statewide. That means Olentangy Liberty, Olentangy and Olentangy Berlin each received a direct payment to their athletic departments. The fund, established in 2023, helps schools cover equipment, uniforms, game transportation, officiating costs and efforts to improve student sportsmanship and fan behavior.

The Central District's full list of 28 recipients includes students from schools across central Ohio, with the Olentangy area's four honorees representing the largest cluster from a single school district in the district's class.