Cassie Mattia is the Associate Editor of Loveland Magazine and lives in Historic Downtown Loveland

by Cassie Mattia

Loveland, Ohio – Students across Ohio have felt and continue to feel the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the remainder of the school year canceled as well as graduation and all the fun events that go along with it, many students did not get the opportunity to be a part of their Annual Senior Night missing out on receiving Senior Awards and Scholarships.

Steve and Connie Mitchell could not bear the thought of not giving out the annual 2020 Seth Mitchell Scholarships to the LHS Senior applicants so they decided to give the scholarships away virtually! The Mitchells usually make an annual visit into town to personally hand out the scholarships on the Senior Award Night.

Connie and Steve’s, son and decorated war hero, LHS graduate, Captain Seth Mitchell was killed on October 26th, 2009 at age 30 when two helicopters collided while he was supporting combat operations in Afghanistanā€™s Helmand province. At the time of tragedy, Captain Mitchell was stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA, and was part of the Marine Corp HMLA 367 Scarface unit. Captain Mitchell piloted an AH-1 Super Cobra helicopter.

Seth volunteered for the fatal mission.

If you would like to learn more about Captain Mitchell’s story click on the links below to access Loveland Magazine stories of the past about Mitchell.

Please join us Saturday ā€“ to keep Captain Seth Mitchellā€™s memory alive

Why there is a Captain Seth Mitchell HERO 5K

In memory of Captain Mitchell both, his family and friends not only hold “The Seth Mitchell Hero 5k” in Downtown Historic Loveland every year, but they also give away “Seth Mitchell” scholarships to two well accomplished LHS Seniors. Below is Steve and Connie Mitchell’s explanation of how the scholarship recipients were selected this year.

“As you probably guessed we were unable to do personal on-site interviews with our 2020 Seth Mitchell scholarship applicants. However, we summoned help from some younger folks and proceeded with the interviews through Google Hangout,” the Mitchell’s explained,Ā  “Yep, Steve and Connie on Google Hangout. Who’d of thought that? Loveland High School also did not have their annual Senior Night on May 13, so the scholarships were awarded virtually. We had 18 applicants this year and personally interviewed six before awarding two scholarships. Your scholarship committee consisting of Greg Carpinello, Damien Cook, Mollie Schrichten, Marisa Sobb, (all friends of Seth and ’97 LHS graduates) Connie and I, take seriously the process to recruit, interview and select candidates. All the kids were deserving and we are especially proud of the recipients.”

The $3,500 Let Us Never Forget Seth Mitchell Scholarship was founded by the Mitchell Family and the “Let Us Never Forget Scholarship Foundation.”
The scholarships are funded by the Seth Mitchell Hero 5K, in which both Seth’s friends and family run, in memory of Seth every year.
This year the 2020 “virtual” Let Us Never Forget Seth Mitchell Scholarships went to Jordan Collins and Caroline Ginder! Below are the biographies for both scholarship winners provided by the Mitchell’s.
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Jordan Collins is the 2020 scholarship recipient and she has a spirit similar to Seth.
She was and still is involved in many theatrical and musical productions. She is a National Honor Society member, volunteers through Mom’s Hope, and works part-time.
Jordan will be paying a large part of her college costs.
She has a “do something” attitude, a strong work ethic, and knows no stranger, being kind to all. She is not afraid to fail in the pursuit of her dreams and is strong in the face of adversity.
She hopes to pursue her theatrical dreams at Syracuse University.
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Caroline Ginder is also a 2020 recipient of the Memorial Scholarship. Caroline was described by one of her references as “being self-motivated, goal-oriented, and a fine example of caring more about her teammates rather than herself.”
She participated in many school events such as Tiger’s Inc., LHS Women’s Soccer, NEST, and National Honor Society.
Caroline will be attending Ohio State University where she will pursue medicine. She hopes to someday be a part of Doctors Without Borders.
Like Jordan, Caroline is paying a share of her college costs as well.
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If you would like to learn more about the Let Us Never Forget Scholarship Foundation you can visit their website atĀ yellowribbonsupportcenter.com.Ā 
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If you would like to learn more about how you can get involved with the Seth Mitchell Hero 5K this year you can visit the event’s website at sethmitchell5k.org.

The 11th Annual Seth Mitchell Hero 5k will take place on Saturday, October 10th at 11 AM in Nisbet Park in Historic Downtown Loveland, Ohio.

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You don’t have to run or walk in the race to support the scholarship program. You can donate now or volunteer your time and skills!
Congratulations to both Caroline and Jordan for being selected to receive the Never Let Us Forget Seth Mitchell Scholarships!