Liberty Seniors Honored at Annual Scholarship and Recognition Luncheon
Liberty High School celebrated the outstanding accomplishments of the Class of 2025 during the annual Scholarship and Recognition Luncheon held on Wednesday. This year’s graduating class made history, earning over $1.6 million in scholarships—a record-breaking achievement that reflects their hard work, determination, and dedication to academic excellence.
Among the honored scholarships were several prestigious awards that highlight the power of local partnerships and philanthropy, including The Cafaro Foundation Scholarship, Girard-Liberty Rotary Scholarship, and the Belmont Pines/Liberty Township Fire Department Scholarship.
The Cafaro Foundation: Investing in the Future
Inspired by the quiet generosity of William and Alyce Cafaro, The Cafaro Foundation has supported churches, schools, hospitals, and charities for over 25 years. Thousands of scholarships have been awarded to students in Trumbull and Mahoning Counties based on academic merit and recommendations from teachers and school counselors.
This year, seven Liberty seniors were named John A. Cafaro Scholarship recipients:
Bethany Boykin
Sara Horn
Peyton Kovach
Jet (Nathan) Li
Margret Russo
Aya Weatherly
Hannah Zagotti
Girard-Liberty Rotary Club: A Tradition of Service
The Girard-Liberty Rotary Club, chartered in 1956, continues its mission to support local students and the community through service and scholarship. The Rotary scholarship application asked students to reflect on their educational goals, community service, and even propose an impactful addition to Liberty Township.
This year’s Girard-Liberty Rotary Scholarship was awarded to:
Hannah Zagotti
Belmont Pines/Liberty Township Fire Department Scholarship
For the 18th year, Belmont Pines Hospital has sponsored a scholarship for graduating Liberty High School seniors in honor of the Liberty Township Police & Fire Department. Applicants are evaluated on GPA, work experience, extracurricular activities, volunteer service, personal achievements, and future goals.
This year’s recipients of the Belmont Pines/Liberty Township Police & Fire Department Scholarship are:
Kadince Bates
Trenton Long
In addition to these notable scholarships, three students earned full-ride scholarships, securing funding for their entire college experience. These life-changing opportunities reflect not only the academic abilities of Liberty’s students but also their character, leadership, and community spirit.
“It’s amazing to see their hard work pay off,” said High School Counselor Candice Jones, who has supported the seniors throughout their high school careers. “Over the past four years, these students have shown such dedication, and the scholarships they’ve earned are a true reflection of that. Their accomplishments are truly inspiring.”
Principal Tom Zetts echoed that sentiment. “There’s often so much focus on the negative. We need to remember and celebrate the incredible things our students are doing. These scholarships are proof of that.”