Meet the 2026 Scholarship Winners
2026 Scholarship Recipients
(from left to right: Connor Burns, Jocelyn French, Lily Sies, Marisa Whalen)
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Happy summer 2026! The Seth Mitchell Scholarship team and the Mitchell family hope all is going well for you. Our team is blessed and grateful to have you as partners on this journey since October 26, 2009. While that date is a fixed tragic reminder of closing the door on Seth’s life, it is also a reminder of the doors opened to the scholarship recipients in Seth’s memory. We believe Seth would be proud of the effort to reward those willing to work hard, serve their school and community and pursue their dreams. The Captain Seth Mitchell Hero 5K has been more than a source for scholarship funding. During the 17 years we’ve built friendships, kinships and an iconic and ongoing event in the Loveland community. As participants at the actual 5K or through your donations and prayers, you are part of the 5K family. Our team thanks you for your past and continued support. As we’ve stated previously, we pledge to “invest” your support in strong, solid candidates who understand these scholarships are “earned, never given”. With the 2026 scholarships totaling $23,000.00, your donations have now reached a lifetime total of $160,000.00. Thank You! The 17th Annual Captain Seth Mitchell Hero 5K is scheduled for October 3, 2026 at the Linda Cox parking lot, Loveland OH at 10:00 AM.
Let’s meet the 2026 Scholarship recipients.
Mitchell Family/Let Us Never Forget Seth Mitchell Scholarship, $5K:
Marisa Whalen: The Mitchells say that Marisa reminds them so much of Seth. After serving an internship, Marisa has found her calling in nursing. She’s a leader that always puts the team first, is loyal to friends and family and is of solid character. In her letters of recommendation, she was described as someone who digs deep in solving problems and doesn’t take the easy way out. She’s someone who is genuine and looks you in the eye revealing she’s a person of character.
Seth Mitchell Memorial Scholarships: 3 recipients, $5K each
Connor Burns: Connor is described as “well rounded student leader with a passion for community service.” Connor is involved in athletics and multiple service activities in school and the community. He’s “not a bystander in causes he supports and is a leader with compassion and resilience” says one letter of
recommendation. He’s a “consistent, hardworking student” and like Seth has faced adversity where he is “not on the sidelines in facing adversity head on.”
Jocelyn French: One recommendation for Jocelyn said she is “motivated and has a deep enthusiasm for life." Jocelyn is “extremely gifted in leadership, and a natural leader that people want to follow.” Like Seth, Jocelyn has faced some challenges and has found a way to navigate them and stay positive. Like Seth also, Jocelyn was a leader in the Spirit Club activities where others could see and follow her enthusiasm and gratitude for life. One recommendation said she’s “kind, positive and embodies school spirit."
Lily Sies: When discussing her service activities Lily said, “each experience reinforced that true service is not about recognition but about consistently showing up with patience and empathy.” We feel this revealed to our scholarship team that Lily is “humble, empathetic and extremely mature.” Like Seth Lily didn’t shy away from challenge, once volunteering to speak at a function for over 100 adults!! “Lily took the challenge with courage” says a letter of recommendation.
$500 Scholarship Recipients:
Payton Brown
Anna Proano-Raps
Tyler McCaleb
Nathan Ryan
Macy Steiner
Shane Murray
Know Seth Mitchell
Seth Mitchell, a captain and pilot in the United States Marine Corps and a 1997 Loveland High School graduate, was killed in action in Afghanistan in October 2009. Seth contributed greatly to the Loveland community in his youth… he served as a leader and role model on the varsity football team, was voted to be Class President his senior year, and was named “Mr. Personality” by his peers. He was well loved here. After graduating, he took that same sense of service and loyalty into all that he did: as a son, a brother, a friend, a leader in the Marines.
In other words, Seth was a hero for all.
We are a group of Seth Mitchell's high school classmates, who miss our friend and want to keep his memory alive. We represent the many people who Seth made an impression on with his sense of humor, kind heart, and loyal friendship. As we organize this 5k Race and the scholarship memorial fund, we are motivated by one enduring inspiration: to live each day a little more honorably, kindly, and humbly... just like Seth.
Please join us by donating, running, or volunteering - and keep Seth's memory alive.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Run or Walk for Seth
Join us each fall for our annual 5K! We host a live, chip-timed race in Loveland, Ohio and a virtual run/walk in Carolina Beach. Or do your own run/walk by signing up, finding a place to run or walk 3.1 miles. Pick a day in October to complete your race. Take a photo and tag us on social! #SethMitchell5K
Give
We accept donations of any size. Your gift goes to sponsoring annual scholarships to deserving Loveland High School graduates as they pursue next steps in life. It is our way of encouraging youth to serve like Seth.
Serve like Seth
Every day presents opportunities for each of us to serve the people around us in our lives. Seth answered that call in big and small ways in his life. We encourage all to live each day a little more honorably, kindly, and humbly... just like Seth.
SPONSORS
The Mitchell Family, The Sobb Family, The Cook Family, The Carpinello Family, Mollie Emerick & Jon Frye, Pawsitively Purrfect, CB Tiki, Paul & Susan Miller, Mike & Debbie Orsatti, Adam Miller, The Johnson Family, Loveland Park Ave Airbnb, Ed & Karen Munson, Leslie & Jerry Gough, Pete & Marina Patterson, Franklin Wyatt, The Quisno Family, Scott and Suzi Brock, Brad Southerland, Dan & Sue Peterson, Jane & Bill Weirich, Holly & Brian Jogerst, Michael Currin, The Bivens Family, James Turner, Wes C. Addle, Lisa Gay, Laura & Bob Stennett, The Lessner Family, Joseph Stein, Maeve Gardner, Sherry Thomas, Dianne Parrish, Froberg Family, Barb & Tony Carpinello, Chris & Brenda Mickey, Scot Steinheiser, Ohio Warriors Sled Hockey, Bill Pitchford, Dwight & Julie Hunter, Margaret Shubny, Pete Jewett, Jerry & Lois Zito, Alejo Cruz, Heather Densmore, Tara Storm, Barbara Morrow, Dan Leff, Margaret Long, Ken Reeder, Scout Sniper Platoon - 3rd Bn - 8th Marines, Patrick Byler, Tim Byler, Timothy Zito, Judson Bailey, Larremy Gray, Dawn Hensley, Landen Square McDonald’s, Emerick Crown and Bridge Lab, Inc.
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The Loveland Schools Foundation
