Westlake graduate receives Jeffery Owen Marriott Memorial Scholarship

Abigail Rence (center) is pictured with Kelly Marriott Pojman and Jeff Hammond at Westlake High School's 2019 Senior Awards Banquet.

Abigail “Abby” Rence, a 2019 Westlake High School graduate, received the Jeffery Owen Marriott Memorial Scholarship at the Senior Awards Banquet Night earlier this year. The scholarship was established to celebrate the life and contributions of WHS 1992 alum, Jeffery Marriott, who passed in March 2015. This was the fourth consecutive year a scholarship was awarded to an exemplary student in honor of Marriott.

Rence ranked in the top 15 of her 2019 WHS class while maintaining a near year-round athletic schedule on Westlake’s varsity soccer and basketball teams. In addition, she exhibited remarkable leadership abilities, serving as a senior class officer and co-president of National Honor Society, captaining her basketball team and volunteering for the Elks Lodge 1350.

“We felt Abby exemplified Jeff’s character, principles, ambition and drive,” said Jeff Hammond, a friend and board member of the Jeffery Owen Marriott Memorial Scholarship. “We received many excellent applications with terrific students and leaders, but we agreed Abby shined in her leadership abilities and positive attitude.

"Marriott was a scholar athlete at WHS and co-captained his football and basketball teams in 1992,” explained Hammond. “Abby demonstrated excellence and was a true leader on and off the fields at WHS. We felt she was a terrific recipient mirroring Jeff’s caring, kind and considerate personality.”

Rence will attend The Ohio State University this fall.