The Community Foundation for Crawford County is pleased to introduce Dekon Harper, a 2026 recipient of one of the 20 Doug and Renee Leuthold Scholarship awards, one of the nine Glen and Alice Beers Scholarship awards, and one of the six L. Earl Smith Scholarship awards
Dekon, the son of Nicole Gearhart and Donavan Harper, is a 2024 graduate of Wynford High School. He is attending Ohio Wesleyan University and studying Biology.
What is your favorite aspect of college life and why?
"My favorite aspect of college life is being able to choose the type of education I get. Throughout my time at college, I have been able to pursue courses that truly interest me, which makes learning much easier. Throughout high school, essentially all of the classes were very general and didn't dive too far into the topic material. I have had the ability to learn about details of topics and concepts that engage my mind. I have had a very in-depth experience throughout my time at college, and I hope to continue that in my next semester."
What new interests or courses of study have you discovered at college?
"A new interest of mine that I have discovered at college is the field of work in a herbarium. A herbarium is essentially a plant museum where flattened and dried plant specimens are kept. I have worked at the herbarium on my campus throughout my time at college, and the skills and information I have learned while doing this work are very valuable to me. Me and my coworkers have used these specimens to identify a new species of a tree from the Amazon Rainforest."
In what way has the college experience changed/improved you?
"The college experience has really helped me transition into my adult life. I have gained the skills necessary to be a functional adult in society. I now have the responsibility to stay on top of my school work, social life, and many other things. Overall, college has made me a more responsible person as well as a more able person.
What advice would you give an incoming college freshman?
"A piece of advice I would give would be to find a balance between your social life and school work as soon as possible so that they don't start to overlap in ways that make it hard to manage the two."
What is one item on your bucket list and why?
"Seeing the Northern Lights is something that has always been on my bucket list. This is because this natural phenomena has been something that has captivated me throughout my childhood and even into my adult life. Being able to see these colorful lights in person would feel otherworldly, and that is why it is on my bucket list."
Congratulations and good luck in the future, Dekon!
To learn more about scholarships offered through the Foundation, visit www.cfcrawford.org/scholarships
