The Community Foundation for Crawford County is pleased to introduce Jillian Capretta, a 2026 recipient of one of the six Arlene H. Smith Scholarship awards, one of the 20 Doug and Renee Leuthold Scholarship awards, and one of the 20 Margaret and Donald Wenner, MD Scholarship awards.
Jillian, the daughter of Sarah Capretta and Casey Capretta, is a 2025 graduate of Galion High School. She is attending Baldwin Wallace University and studying Nursing.
What is your favorite aspect of college life and why?
"My favorite aspect of college life by far has to be the people I have become friends with. I have met people who I never would have pictured myself hanging out with who have helped me gain an appreciation for meeting people from different walks of life."
What new interests or courses of study have you discovered at college?
"When I started my freshman year, I went in as a biology major and not completely sure what I wanted to do with my degree. However, after meeting with some incredible professors and taking different classes like anatomy and physiology and microbiology, I have found my love for the nursing program at Baldwin Wallace."
In what way has the college experience changed/improved you?
"College has changed me by challenging me not only through the high standards of professors and the intense course work, but also through finding my place in a new environment where I did not know anybody. Going to college has made me a much more sociable person and more confident in my abilities to overcome obstacles."
What advice would you give an incoming college freshman?
"One big piece of advice I would give an incoming college freshman is to be inside your dorm as little as possible. Going to welcome week events and sports games is one great way to meet new people. You are also able to meet friends in places you would not expect as much, like studying in the library or sitting next to someone new in a club meeting."
What is one item on your bucket list and why?
"One item on my bucket list is to take a long trip to southeast Asia. This is something my cousin did when he graduated college and he said it was one of the greatest experiences he has ever had. I would like to know what it is like to experience life on the other side of the world and make new connections with people who are very different than I am."
Congratulations and good luck in the future, Jillian!
To learn more about scholarships offered through the Foundation, visit www.cfcrawford.org/scholarships
