Scholarship created in memory of murder victim.

Nikki Hamilton grew up in Mentor-on-the-Lake with her friend Angel Ormston, and now, more than 30 years after Ormston was murdered, Hamilton has established a scholarship to honor her.

When Hamilton became the vice president of finance for The George Snow Scholarship Fund, a scholarship provider in South Florida, she dreamed of creating a scholarship to honor the life and legacy of her friend’s story in Mentor-on-the-Lake that captured the attention of local and national media, according to a news release,

The George Snow Scholarship Fund recently announced it has launched the establishment of the Angel Ormston Memorial Scholarship. In Angel’s memory, the scholarship aims to support students impacted by domestic violence and those pursuing careers dedicated to making a difference in criminal justice or law.

On the night of July 31, 1992, 17-year-old Ormston disappeared after going to the mall.

Her body was found on Dec. 15, 1992, lying facedown in a Perry Township ditch. Two weeks later, her boyfriend, 19-year-old Chardon resident Mark Sotka, was arrested for the crime.

Sotka was sentenced to life in prison with parole eligibility after 30 years after he admitted killing Ormston by punching her in the face and stabbing her twice near her heart.

According to the Summit Public Relations news release:

“Angel’s potential and bright future were extinguished in a senseless act of violence, leaving a profound impact on her family, friends and the entire community. Her passing has left a deep and lasting wound in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. In the years since, Angel’s family and friends have remained committed to ensuring her memory lives on, fighting for justice and keeping her killer behind bars.”

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Hamilton grew up alongside Ormston and was devastated by the loss of her childhood best friend. At 16, Hamilton promised Ormston’s family that she would dedicate her life to advocating for justice on her behalf.

Since then, she has been an advocate working to prevent Angel’s killer from being granted parole.

“As the vice president of finance for The George Snow Scholarship Fund, I’ve had the unique opportunity to witness the transformative power that scholarships have in shaping lives,” Hamilton said. “Establishing the Angel Ormston Memorial Scholarship felt like the next step in my journey of being Angel’s voice. Although her life was met with darkness, Angel’s legacy will be a light that guides others.

“This scholarship allows us to honor her memory while supporting students who embody her spirit of resilience and compassion,” she added. “Through it, we ensure her story inspires future generations to overcome adversity and pursue justice—values she stood for in her brief but impactful life.”

According to the release, donors can support young individuals who embody Ormston’s spirit of kindness, resilience, and strength by making a donation of any amount to her scholarship at secure.qgiv.com/for/theangelormstonmemorialscholarship/.

The George Snow Scholarship Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping deserving students pursue their dreams of higher education. Since its inception in 1982, the fund has provided thousands of scholarships and grants to students who demonstrate academic achievement, financial need, and a commitment to community service.