STOBER announces 2026 scholarship winners

STOBER Drives, Inc. has named Olivia Hughes, Elizabeth Thorn, Drew Ginn, and Bayli Donahue winners of the 2026 STOBER Legacy Scholarship.  Applicants were required to submit an essay detailing a time in their lives in which they demonstrated exceptional dedication and perseverance.  Each scholarship winner has a story of perseverance, creativity, and a drive to make a difference.

Olivia Hughes is a marketing pre-apprentice at STOBER and plays on the Mason County High School girls golf, basketball, and softball teams. She also gives back to the community through her church and volunteering at the Imagine League.  Hughes plans to attend Morehead State University and study early childhood education. Her essay focused on her dedication to improving her basketball skills and confidence, as well as helping others do the same.  

Elizabeth Thorn is the daughter of STOBER employee Jackie Foley. She is a senior at Fleming County High School and a member of the Future Business Leaders of America, Smile Club, and Interact Club. She is also a co-op at People’s Bank of Kentucky. Elizabeth enjoys giving back to the community through food drives, Vacation Bible School, working camps, and more.  Thorn plans to attend WKU and study accounting. Her essay focused on dedication and organization to stay on top of the many demands of being a student.

Drew Ginn is the brother-in-law of STOBER employee Blake Thayer. He plays on the Lewis County High School boys golf team and is a member of Health Occupations Students of America. He also gives back to the community through his church.  Ginn plans to attend MCTC and study electrical technology. His essay focused on his dedication to his studies even with health challenges.

Bayli Donahue is the daughter of STOBER employee Tony Donahue and a senior at Blue Valley High School in Stilwell, Kansas. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, and more. She also gives back to the community through volunteering for Shadow Buddies. Donahue plans to attend university and study biology or public health. Her essay focused on helping her foster brother.

The STOBER Legacy Scholarship was established in remembrance of employees Ray Williams, Ashely Hurst, Mike Noel, and Logan Cooper, who passed away during their employment at STOBER.  The scholarship program has awarded multiple $500 scholarships each year since 2016 to help students pursue their plans to attend college or trade school.

The scholarship is first open to family members of full-time STOBER employees.  If there are no qualified applicants from STOBER families, the scholarship opens to all graduating seniors of local high schools including Bracken, Mason, Fleming, Lewis, Robertson, Adams, and Brown counties.  Applicants must be pursuing college or trade school after graduation and must have at least a 3.0 GPA and complete an essay as part of the application. 

This year’s scholarship recipients were honored with a reception at STOBER.