The george wetzel memorial scholarship

George Wetzel was far more than a teacher at Field Local Schools. He was a coach, mentor, advisor, friend, problem-solver, and an incredibly proud member of the Falcon community.

George and his wife, Laura, chose to raise their family in the same community he poured so much of himself into. Field was not simply where George worked — it was home.

George loved teaching and coaching the students of Field Local Schools, but he never simply taught a lesson or coached a game. He took the time to know his students and athletes as individuals. George had an incredible ability to find the “key” to each person — to understand what motivated them, what challenged them, what they needed, and how he could help them become the very best version of themselves.

And his commitment to them never ended when the final bell rang, the game ended, or the season was over.

George gave his time freely. He listened. He encouraged. He challenged. He showed up. He helped solve problems — big and small — and never seemed to meet one he wasn’t willing to tackle. If there was something he could do to make an experience better for his students, athletes, friends, or fellow staff members, George found a way to do it.

Those lucky enough to have experienced George’s famous fries saw another small example of the person he was. As a class advisor, even something as simple as making fries became another way George went above and beyond to help his students raise money and make their events successful. That was George — if something mattered to his kids, it mattered to him.

George had one of the warmest smiles you could ever encounter. He had a way of making people feel welcome, comfortable, valued, and important. He fiercely loved his family, his friends, his students, his athletes, and his Falcon community.

He was, quite simply, one of the best of us — the kind of person we should all aspire to be a little more like.

The George Wetzel Memorial Scholarship was established to ensure that George’s impact on Field Local Schools continues for generations to come. This scholarship will recognize a graduating Field High School senior who reflects the qualities George demonstrated throughout his life: kindness, dedication, perseverance, leadership, service to others, and a willingness to go the extra mile.

The recipient does not need to be the student with the highest GPA, the most awards, or the longest list of accomplishments. Instead, this scholarship seeks a student who sees the people around them, steps up when something needs to be done, helps others succeed, and leaves their school and community better because they were part of it.

George spent his life helping young people find their own “key” to success.

Through this scholarship, his legacy will continue by helping another Falcon unlock the door to whatever comes next.

Once a Falcon, Always a Falcon.