Zane Trace grads seek successful futures

CHILLICOTHE – Zane Trace graduating senior Logan Chamberlin hasn't had it easy, but he made the most of his high school career through hard work and the support of his family.

Logan was always a little different from other kids growing up, said his mother, Leah Chamberlin.

"When he started kindergarten, the teacher called me and said he was the slowest kid she'd ever had," Leah said. "He had a hard time paying attention."

When he was 7 years old, Logan was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. After seeking treatment, Logan was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, a high-functioning form of autism, his freshman year.

Though focusing was difficult for Logan, it did not stop him from achieving a 4.0 GPA after making flash cards and being quizzed by his family. Logan also participated in 4-H and FFA, volunteered for the Red Cross, and was a part of Zane Trace's track and soccer teams.

"They nicknamed me the Terminator because I just keep coming back," Logan said about his time as a defensive player for the soccer team.

Logan was accepted to Wittenburg University with a $19,000 a year scholarship but also is waiting to hear back from Ohio Christian University. Logan said he hopes make the soccer and track teams in college.

"He just achieves things people said he would never do," Leah said.

Logan said he wants to study criminal justice in college to give back to his community.

"I kind of have that trait where I help people," Logan said. "I want to protect this community and this country."

Logan, along with the 113 other Zane Trace seniors, graduated Saturday to the sounds of "Pomp and Circumstance" and Switchfoot's "Souvenirs" performed by Valedictorian John Scott V.

Scott was joined by the school's four other valedictorians, Brianna Minshall, Jared Mitten, Austin Proehl and Trever Vogel. The 2015 salutatorian was Kathryn Watson and the class president was Logan Monroe.

The graduating class earned $1.7 million in scholarship money, said Superintendent Jerry Mowery, who gave the advice of not being afraid to be different in life.

"In the future, don't be pigeonholed," Mowery said to the graduates. "Don't let people stereotype you and don't be afraid to deviate from the norm."

Class Facts

The Zane Trace graduating class of 2015 had 114 members.

The class motto was: "Do, or do not. There is no try." (Yoda)