By Pattie Stechschulte


High school graduation, that first big turning point in life, conjures memories and ambitions all at once. This year six Westerville graduates received the Westerville Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Jim Near Scholarships, based on their academic performance and community service. They are: Daniel Dybdahl, Westerville North; Troy GoDanielard, Jade Haver and Anna Schiffbauer, Westerville South; Natasha Hetterscheidt, Westerville Central and Jack Toscano, St. Charles Preparatory School.

Four were available this summer to chat and share some thoughts regarding their scholastic success and favorite Westerville memories.

Where will you attend college?
Daniel Dybdahl: Ohio Northern University
Jade Haver: Otterbein University
Anna Schiffbauer: Otterbein University
Jack Toscano: University of Notre Dame

What study habit contributed most to your academic success?
Daniel: I do as much work as I can immediately following school before my next activity.
Jade: Sitting in a quiet room and doing my work. I can’t work when there is noise.
Anna: I take time to go back through the notes, textbook and assigned readings.
Jack: I like to break a project into chunks so that it’s never overwhelming.

How did you give back to the community?
Daniel: Summer mission trips, TOPS Soccer, youth basketball assistant coach, church youth group, Sunday school teacher, Wyldlife and I Can!
Jade: Tap and ballet dance volunteer.
Anna: St. Vincent Family Care Center, Westerville High School grounds beautification, Citizens for Humane Action Animal Shelter, St. Matthias Church, Blankets of Belief, Walnut Springs Middle School Drama and Katrina Relief.
Jack: Organized Project Evergreen’s Green Care for Troops – lawn and landscape work for families where husbands were deployed to Afghanistan.

What is your favorite place or memory in Westerville?
Daniel: Riding my bike all around Westerville with my friends.
Jade: Getting up every day and being excited to go to school and learn.
Anna: One that will always stick with me is Schneider’s Bakery with my best friends.
Jack: So many memorable and epic nights have concluded with a run to Schneider’s Bakery.

What assigned book or story did you enjoy most in high school?
Daniel: Huckleberry Finn – It was adventurous and there was great character development.
Jade: Secret Life of Bees – I loved learning about what people had to go through.
Anna: The Grapes of Wrath – It shows humanity at its best and worst.
Jack: Native Son and Crime and Punishment – They are very psychological and present themes that are challenging.
What makes your high school special?
Daniel: The bond between the students and the great teachers.
Jade: Being able to be in my school musicals and meeting new people each year.
Anna: The teachers make South one of the best places to be. I have been lucky enough to have teachers who go beyond the lesson plans and make meaningful connections with their students.
Jack: The Brotherhood. Being at an all guy school and one of the most challenging schools in Ohio, each class becomes a fraternity of brothers who have to survive the same challenges.

What advice would you give students about being successful in high school?
Daniel: Get involved in your school and community. The more involved you are the more you strive to succeed in school.
Jade: Always get things done on time, and if you need help on an assignment, do not be afraid to ask. Also, get involved with something in the school. You will feel better about yourself and as a result, you will do better in school.
Anna: The first is to get involved in a couple of activities. It is so important to do something at your high school besides going to class. Secondly, being organized is a very important part of academic success. It will save lots of time and heartache when assignments are due.
Jack: Get involved with extracurricular activities but remember that school comes first. My advice is to keep things in perspective and realize that academics are the most important facet of high school.

About how many friends do you have on Facebook?
Daniel: 700
Jade: 540
Anna: 461
Jack: 330

What did you want to be when you were five-years-old?
Daniel: Professional soccer player
Jade: Doctor
Anna: Teacher, nun, queen and actress
Jack: Sports announcer and U.S. president

What is your greatest achievement?
Daniel: Getting accepted into Ohio Northern Raabe College of Pharmacy.
Jade: Finishing high school.
Anna: Being elected captain for my cross-country team.
Jack: Getting into Notre Dame.



Pattie Stechschulte is editor of Westerville Magazine.