Pursue Your Purpose

Sydney Cowles knows gridiron greatness is made in Stark County.

Sydney grew up just like many Stark County kids, with football Friday nights cheering for the hometown team. These days, her job takes her to the big leagues. It’s where she rubs elbows with the professional players who’ve made it to the ultimate stage: the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Barb Preston knows what it’s like to face a financial crisis. In fact, she was forced to drop out of the private liberal arts college she once attended. 

That’s why she didn’t hesitate to provide a much-needed match for Kent State University at Stark’s Giving Tuesday initiative, The Last Dollar Scholarship. 

“Donors can really make a difference at Kent State Stark,” said Preston.

Steven Smith faced the battle of his life. Diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in his mid-30s, Steven juggled cancer treatments, being a young father and completing the college coursework that he needed to earn his bachelor’s degree. And he was close. Close to beating cancer, close to Graduation Day.

Rocks with jagged edges are no match for the hands of Annabelle Clawson. With a giggle and a firm grip, the gray ones, the red ones, the shiny and matte ones are scooped up in whatever the 4-year-old can muster, but mainly, her own two small hands.