ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio — The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio and its affiliate foundation partners have awarded more than $700,000 in donor-established postsecondary scholarships to students across the 32-county region, including a student from Belmont County.

Heston Shaver of Flushing is an inaugural recipient of the FAO Environmental Stewardship Pillar of Prosperity Scholarship, supporting individuals seeking degrees or continuing education in fields related to environmental stewardship. This scholarship is made possible by a transformative investment from the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District and the generosity of many donors who helped establish FAO’s Environmental Stewardship Pillar of Prosperity Fund, including American Electric Power, the AEP Foundation, the AEP Ohio Foundation, Nicolozakes Trucking & Construction Inc., and Ohio CAT. Shaver, a 2025 East Richland Christian School graduate, plans to attend Hocking College.

FAO partners with donors and an advisory committee of volunteers to award scholarships to students across the 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio through a competitive application process.

To date this year, FAO has awarded more than 600 postsecondary scholarships to more than 300 students across 26 counties thanks to gifts from residents and friends of Appalachian Ohio who recognize the role education plays in ensuring the region’s people and communities can flourish.

A 501(c)(3) public charity, FAO is a regional community foundation serving the 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio. In partnership with 14 geographic affiliate foundations and the regionwide African American Community Fund, FAO works to unleash the collective potential within Appalachian Ohio by encouraging and supporting philanthropy. FAO’s geographic affiliate partners serve the Nelsonville area and Gallia, Guernsey, Harrison, Highland, Hocking, Jackson, Lawrence, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Perry and Vinton counties.

For information on how you can support educational opportunities and help students in Appalachian Ohio pursue their dreams, visit www.AppalachianOhio.org, email info@ffao.org or call 740-753-1111.