The Russell Ward Scholarship has been established to help the recipients from the Berkshire and Cardinal High Schools continue their post high school education. Russ passed away from Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in 2016. This rare disease took Russ’s life but not his spirit. We are remembering the past while celebrating the future by giving these scholarships in his name.

 

Russ Ward was a 1985 graduate of Berkshire High School. He was a member of the wrestling team, involved in the Vocational Agricultural program, performed in multiple productions with the Drama department and was an avid supporter of the girls volleyball team.

 

Russ received a degree from Hocking Technical College and went on to be a police officer for the Village of Burton. He later worked security at Beachwood Place Mall and worked in the maintenance department.

 

Russ and his wife Wendy had two children that graduated from Cardinal High School, Kalyn ‘11 and Dakota ‘14. Kalyn played volleyball and basketball while also participating in the high school musicals and being a member of The National Honor Society. She graduated from the University of Mount Union and currently is a teacher at Agape Christian Academy and volleyball coach at Cardinal Middle School. Dakota wrestled, played soccer, and ran track and graduated from Slippery Rock University. He is an Intervention Specialist in the Cardinal School District and coaches’ cross country and wrestling.