The Oakwood Schools Foundation, a component fund of The Dayton Foundation, is pleased to announce a new scholarship opportunity for graduating Oakwood High School seniors involved in the speech and debate team or drama club/spring musical program. The Wanda Wahlman Ford Memorial Scholarship, named in memory of this lifelong resident of Oakwood, Ohio, was recently established by her son, Ambassador Charles Ford, and his wife Lillian Ford, to annually recognize an Oakwood High School senior with high achievement in these areas.
Wahlman Ford, who passed away in 2010, was born in a house located on Far Hills Boulevard where Dorothy Lane Market currently stands but later moved after marriage to her permanent residence on Monterey Avenue. She was a loving wife to Marvin “Bud” Ford and mother to sons Charles Ford and Mark Ford. As a 1946 Oakwood High School graduate, she was a passionate advocate for Oakwood and its outstanding school system. She also served as secretary to the district’s superintendent for over 20 years and continued her service after retirement by working to enhance the high school’s alumni network. In 2001, the Oakwood Historical Society recognized her as its Super Citizen of the Year. Her passion in high school was debate, public speaking and theater. She passed on that passion to her son, Charles, who credits his own Oakwood High School debate experience as the driving force in his successful United States diplomatic service career.
Preference for the $1,500 scholarship award will be given to a senior who demonstrates significant achievement in debate. Additional selection criteria and the scholarship application will be available online starting January 8, 2025, through The Dayton Foundation’s ScholarshipCONNECTSM system at www.daytonfoundation.org/scholarships.
Individuals who wish to support this memorial scholarship may donate online at www.daytonfoundation.org/donate-credit-card or via check mailed to Oakwood Schools Foundation, P.O. Box 351, Oakwood, OH 45409—please include a note that the contribution is for the Wanda Wahlman Ford Memorial Scholarship.