Poker tournament raises money for OHS scholarship
A local Texas Hold ‘em Tournament held April 27 at the Orrville American Legion raised over $2,900 for a local scholarship named in memory of Julie Mills, an Orrville resident who was a champion of various fine arts causes and passed away at age 54 last year. The winning team included Bob McFarland, front, and Stephen Lisko, back left, Mark Lemon, Rusty Rowe, Bob Shearer and Brian Wilson.
A local Texas Hold ‘em Tournament held April 27 at the Orrville American Legion raised over $2,900 for a local scholarship named in memory of Julie Mills. Mills was an Orrville resident who was a champion of various fine arts causes and passed away at age 54 in November 2023 after battling a rare lung disease for several months at the Cleveland Clinic.
The event was designed to raise money for the scholarship, starting with this year’s senior class.
“The scholarships are designed to honor Julie’s memory and devotion by promoting fine arts in the schools and community through the establishment of this scholarship that will be awarded to two deserving Orrville High School seniors involved in the fine arts,” said Cyndi Daugherty, a fellow Orrville City Schools parent and volunteer who worked with Mills on different community and school projects and organizations. “The hope is that this tournament will be an annual event that will continue to grow and thereby fund the scholarship so it is available to deserving students for years to come.”
The winners of the scholarships will be announced at the Orrville High School Senior Assembly on Friday, May 24 at Orrville High School.
As an example of her devotion to the arts, Mills was very involved with the Orrville Community Theater. Not only did she fundraise for the organization, but also she served on its board and helped bring the organization back to life after the pandemic. She also directed plays the organization produced.
In addition to her work with the OCT, Mills was involved with various arts programs in the Orrville City Schools. She was a fundraiser for the Orrville Band Parents organization, helping to organize events, coordinating third-quarter snacks for the band during football games and helping with activities designed to make band camp fun for the students. Mills also worked with the Orrville High School Drama Club for several years, assisting with productions and publicity.
While in the hospital, Mills would watch videos of her son Evan, a tuba player and junior at Orrville High School, performing at Friday night football games and band shows. Each marching season she could be found in the stands cheering on not just the band, but also the football team. In addition to being a community leader, Mills was a valued employee who worked at Bekaert Corporation in Orrville.
“Julie was always so helpful and encouraging to me,” said Bonnie Mack, a co-worker at the company.
Mills was devoted to her family and is survived by her husband Michael, her son, her mother Margaret Dixon, two sisters, and one brother and several nieces and nephews. Her family was able to be present for the tournament and was overwhelmed by the response of the community.
“The money made at this event is unheard of for a first-time event,” Daugherty said. “The over $2,500 raised is a testament to Julie’s influence in the community and was her way of making sure the scholarship recipients were taken care of. Julie was devoted to students in Orrville who performed in the band, choir and theater.”