FGP Awards Scholarships

May 28, 2026 by Staff Report

Foundation for Geauga Parks recently awarded $2,500 conservation scholarships to three local graduates pursuing environmental studies.

Recipients are Grayson Yoder, of Cardinal High School, Peter Murray, of Hawken School, and Samuel Gdovichin, of Cardinal High School.  All are 18 years old and planning to attend college in the fall. Yoder and Gdovichin graduated on May 16. Murray will graduate on June 7.

Grayson Yoder, of Middlefield, was awarded a $2,500 scholarship. He will attend the University of Mount Union in Alliance, where he plans to study biology or environmental science. He volunteered for several years with the Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District studying stream biology through testing the water and observing organisms.

Peter Murray, of Chardon, said his connection to FGP started in the fifth grade when he participated in the Nature Scopes program. He plans to major in marketing with a minor in environmental science at Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Mich. Murray received a $2,500 scholarship.

Samuel Gdovichin, also of Middlefield, was awarded a $1,000 scholarship. Gdovichin is headed to Heidelberg University in Tiffin to study environmental science. He added that his college career will include studying watershed science, a specific area that Heidelberg specializes in leading to a water management career.

The scholarships are made possible through donations to the FGP Nature Education Fund. A reception and awards ceremony will be held May 31.