Samantha Stoner

Losing the majority of her eyesight in the eighth grade did anything but slow Sami down. On the contrary, it drove her to work harder and focus her areas of service – making her a stronger student and a compassionate servant. Along with her sidekick, Chloe, Sami paved the way for the Ohio High School Athletic Association to grant permission for guide dogs to participate in competitive cross country races, garnering national media attention. As a two-year President of the Key Club, Sami expanded the group from 40 to 180 members. Among her achievements, she tutored two visually impaired children and spearheaded a fundraiser that yielded $6,000 for children with disabilities. From Mansfield, Ohio, Sami will study psychology at Otterbein University in the fall.