Whitehall Education Foundation

2024 WEF Board Members: President: Terry Anderson '78; Vice President: Leo Knoblauch '79; Secretary: Joyce Hildenbrand Turnbull '69; Nancy Krouse Kennedy '66; Jayne Lawson Shannon '72;
Fred Everett '87; Dassan Jefferson '15.

New WEF Website: https://www.whitehalleducationfoundation.org

Congratulations to WEF's 2024 Community Champions

Marlene (Marty) Phillips Miller, WYHS 1969
Marty's commitment over her 40-year professional career has contributed towards improving the health of thousands of underserved citizens living in Whitehall & Central Ohio. When serving as the Heart of Ohio Family Health Centers (HOFHC) Board Chair, Marty helped secure funding to open the Whitehall Health Center in the Great Eastern Shopping Center.

HOFHC are federal-qualified health centers that provide affordable & quality healthcare to a diverse population regardless of their ability to pay. Marty was the HOFHC CEO from 2012-2018. While CEO one of Marty’s goals was to create a “culture of competence”. She hired a diverse staff that reflected their patients’ cultures & spoke their languages. Patient volume grew from 1,500 to 9,000; the staff grew from 29 to 75; & patient-centered grants averaged approximately $1 million. Marty also led a partnership with the City of Whitehall resulting in a donation of 4 acres, valued at $250,000, to build The Jim Feibel Health Center that opened in 2022.

Today, HOFHC has six Central Ohio clinics with 30,000 patients, including its WYHS school-based health center. The Jim Feibel Health Center is a state-of-the-art healthcare clinic that provides primary, pediatrics, OBGYN, behavioral services, addiction intervention & an in-house pharmacy. In honor of their partnership to build the Center, two patients’ rooms are named for “Marty Phillips” and “Mayor Kim Maggard”.

Wes Kantor, WYHS 1975
Wes is a life-long Whitehall citizen, except for the 8 years he served in the Army in a special assault unit at the US Army Aviation Center in Ft. Rucker, Alabama. After receiving an honorable discharge, Wes returned to his hometown. Over decades, Wes has volunteered & served in many Whitehall community organizations over many decades! He was a coach in the youth football, baseball & basketball leagues & served as league officer & commissioner. Wes is one of the original members of the Whitehall’s Community Celebration Association (WCCA). And he’s still volunteering after 15 years. Some of the annual city events WCCA hosts are: Halloween & Christmas Home Decorating Contests; Easter Egg Hunts; & Whitehall’s 4^th of July Parades.

Wes has also served on many civic organizations. In 2013, Wes served on the Whitehall City Schools (WCS) Superintendent’s Advisory Committee to promote & help pass the WCS “Buy 2 Get 3 Schools” levy. Wes served on the Whitehall City Council for 15 years, retiring in December 2023. During his tenure, Wes chaired the Economic Development, Safety, & Parks & Recreation Committees.

All the Kantor ‘kids’, Steve, Wes, & Melodie are WYHS alumni. Wes’ six children also attended Whitehall City Schools. After 45 years of civic & community service, Wes “deserves a break today”, tomorrow & beyond before he decides his next endeavors. We thank Wes for his dedication & service to our country, the City of Whitehall, its schools & citizens.

*******

WEF Mission

The mission of the Whitehall Education Foundation is to support quality education and excellence in Whitehall City Schools.

The Whitehall Education Foundation is a 509a.3non-profit organization, established in 2004 for the purpose of supporting the mission, vision, and goals of Whitehall City Schools.

The Foundation provides supplemental support to both students and staff by awarding grants and scholarships, funding school improvement initiatives, and leveraging community resources to improve public education at Whitehall City Schools.

Community

The Whitehall community and alumni of Whitehall-Yearling High School are bound by a legacy of pride that is supported by family, friends, and the enriching tradtions and developments within our city.

As the community prospers, the Whitehall Education Foundation provides a simple pathway in which we all can enhance the educational advancements for students and teachers for generations to come. We strive to raise funds through estate giving, fundraising efforts, and individual contributions that support classroom grants for instructional needs, as well as student scholarships.

Additionally, the Whitehall Education Foundation hosts an Annual Scholarship Golf Scramble that unites many alumni, local businesses, and community leaders for an exciting day of golf, food, and fun while raising funds to support its mission.

Annually, a community member is also saluted for their support of students and honored as a "Living Legend." Notable recipients have been: Monica Day, Domenik Hixon, Judyth Dobbert-Meloy, Phil Allen, Amalee Soteriades, Kim Maggard, and Dr. Augustus Parker III.

Teachers

Through significant funding that has been raised, the Whitehall Education Foundation is able to provide assistance to educators in the district through classroom grants. Mini-grants are small funding opportunities for classroom-based activities and needs for the academic year. For over five years, teachers have been provided a wide range of support for their classroom instructional needs such as: science and math enrichment, mentoring and tutoring support, advancements in classroom technology, and other areas.

Students

The Whitehall Education Foundation has also been able to provide assistance to graduating seniors from Whitehall-Yearling High School. The purpose of the scholarship funds are to support the student's needs during their first year of college. Scholarship recipients must meet criteria based upon academic achievement, financial need, and college interest.

Pictured are WCS Superintendent, Brian Hamler (RIP), along with WEF President, Terry Anderson. Seated behind them from left right are WCS Board Members, Darryl Hammock, President, Mike Adkins, Jeff Lees, and Vice President, Leo Knoblauch.