By Sue Kiesewetter
Enquirer contributor

Thirty-eight seniors from Southwest Ohio are among 275 statewide who will receive the prestigious Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship.

The $1,500 federal scholarships are renewable and are awarded to Ohio's top seniors. Winners from Southwest Ohio:

Butler County: Darbey Maheu, Badin High School; Valerie Munafo, Bishop Fenwick High School; Benjamin Tice, Hamilton High School; Melanie Cole, Edgewood High School; Douglas Brown and Sanjay Hari, Lakota East High School; Kristal Dobbins, Lakota West High School; and Helen Pennock, Talawanda High School.

Clermont County: Matthew Risley, Amelia High School; Zachary Faris, Batavia High School; and Meredith Maxey, New Richmond High School.

Hamilton County: Jared Brandyberry, Anderson High School; Laura Weingartner, Colerain High School; Michael Merz and Joshua Nohle, Elder High School; Luke Grubbs, Finneytown High School; Justin Lawler and Jonathan Wise, Harrison High School; Steven Selm, LaSalle High School; Isaac Elking, Loveland High School; Kimiko Parker, Madeira High School; Samuel Howles-Banerji, Mariemont High School; Katherine Hart, McAuley High School; Jessica Gottman, Mother of Mercy High School; Amy Grote, Mount Notre Dame High School; Randy Gross, Northwest High School; Andrew Stephan, Princeton High School; McKenzie Kugler, Purcell Marian High School; Tracy Kemme, Roger Bacon High School; Kyle Karches, St. Xavier High School; Lisa Cosgrove, Summit Country Day School; Dennis Jiang, Sycamore High School; Laura Allspaw and Emily McGill, Turpin High School; Claire Enoven, Ursuline Academy; and Andrew Meiser, Walnut Hills High School.

Warren County: Ryan Groh, Lebanon High School; Chad Iverson, Mason High School.