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The annual scholarship was founded by Paul Thomas in 2004 in
memory of Lesley Harper Sr. Harper was a local general
contractor who employed, trained and mentored many young men
and women from the central city area of Toledo, many of them
went on to become very successful in business and
construction.
Thomas was one of those lucky individuals that Harper
trained and mentored. Thomas has been a member of the
Carpenters Union for 31 years and is currently a retired
senior representative from the Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio
Regional Council of Carpenters. Thomas sits on the Board of
Directors for YMCA Storer Camps and is also a member of the
YMCA Storer Camps Scholarship Committee.
Thomas chose Ella P.
Stewart Academy for Girls because he attended Ella P.
Stewart before it became an all-girls school. He chose third
graders because he felt it is a great entry age for summer
camp at Storer and his first experience at Storer was as a
third grader.
The selection was made
based on academics, citizenship, attendance and an essay
contest.
Kyla, whose mother also
attended the camp as a child, wrote that she wants to learn
how to canoe. Emma wants to experience something new and
learn how to swim. KeiAsia is anxious to learn more about
the environment since she loves the outdoors. NaShanda wants
to share the cabin experience with others and learn to ride
horses.
Just how much of a good
time the girls can expect was explained by Stewart fourth
grader Jayda Duncan who, as a 2016 recipient, also wrote an
essay about her experience at Storer last summer. Jayda, one
of two winners last year, wrote that she enjoyed the
swimming, the canoeing and the rock climbing. “Anyone would
be lucky to go,” wrote Jayda.
The sponsors of the YMCA
Storer Camp Scholarship are Laborers’ Local 500 and Lucas
County Sheriff John Tharp. This year’s contributors are the
Northwest Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council,
People’s Missionary Baptist Church, the Ella P. Stewart
Alumni Association, Howard’s – N – Co, Debbie Gallagher and
Jane Duross
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