Mount Vernon High School is proud to announce that senior Christopher Hawthorne has been named the 2025 Franklin B. Walter All-Scholastic Award winner for Knox County. The award is presented annually by the Knox Educational Service Center in collaboration with the Ohio Educational Service Center Association to recognize outstanding academic achievement and leadership among high school seniors across the state.

Timm Mackley, Knox ESC Superintendent, Christopher Hawthorne, and OESCA President Marie Ward
The Franklin B. Walter All-Scholastic Award was established in 1989 by Ohio’s county Educational Service Center superintendents to honor one exemplary senior from each county in Ohio. Recipients are selected based on their academic accomplishments, personal integrity, and commitment to school and community.Christopher has demonstrated excellence both in the classroom and beyond. Known for his strong work ethic and intellectual curiosity, he has been an active participant in advanced coursework and extracurricular activities throughout his high school career.

“Christopher is just the top of the top when it comes to being a role model for our younger students,” said MVHS Guidance Counselor Eryn Fawcett. “He does all the ‘things’ and does them all well and with ease. His desire to succeed and his sincere thirst for knowledge are what set him apart from his peers. He is dedicated, mature, kindhearted, and smart. Not to be redundant, but he is the total package student.”

Christopher plans to attend The Ohio State University in the fall, where he will pursue studies in physics and engineering.

Mount Vernon City Schools congratulates Christopher on this well-deserved honor and looks forward to his future accomplishments.