Christopher Hawthorne, a senior at Mount Vernon High School, has been named the Knox Educational Service Center's 2025 Franklin B. Walter All-Scholastic Award winner. He plans to attend Ohio State University to study physics and engineering.
The All-Scholastic Award program was initiated in 1989 by county ESC superintendents across Ohio to honor exceptional seniors statewide. It is named after Franklin B. Walter, Ohio’s 31st state superintendent of public instruction.
Hawthorne ranks second in his class of 294 students with a GPA of 4.521. Reflecting on his academic journey, he said, “I have had some very strong teachers here. They and my parents definitely pushed me. They have been a big part of what I think about and the way I think about things. I am very grateful to them.”
In addition to academics, Hawthorne is active in music and community service. He plays piano with several jazz bands and viola with the Knox County Symphony Orchestra. He also participates in tennis, serves on the Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council, volunteers for environmental causes, programs for a VEX robotics team, and managed Mount Vernon’s city water park during summers.
“I’ve always been a science guy,” Hawthorne noted regarding his future studies at OSU that could lead to a career in nuclear engineering.
His chemistry teacher Kristin Hofferberth praised him as one of the fastest learners she has encountered in her two-decade career: “When I say that Christopher learns quickly, I mean that in earnest.” Counselor Eryn Fawcett described him as “completely self-driven” and an excellent communicator who gets along well with others.
Calculus teacher Erin Daniels remarked on his rare analytical abilities: “He is such a rare find in his scholastic endeavors... He is such a great asset to the classroom, to our school and to the greater community.”
Knox ESC Superintendent Dr. Timm Mackley recognized all nominated seniors for their achievements but highlighted Hawthorne's selection following thorough application reviews by an ESC committee.
Hawthorne will attend the state Walter award luncheon on April 14 at the Renaissance Columbus Westerville-Polaris Hotel alongside his parents, Dr. Mackley, and MVHS Principal Cory Caughlan.
