Penta students earn awards at SkillsUSA Ohio Championships

        Penta Career Center students earned top awards at the SkillsUSA Ohio Championships held May 3-4 in Columbus.
        Students Emma Book (Anthony Wayne), James Casey (Perrysburg), Adam Crofts (Lake), and Jack Price (Perrysburg), all from the Digital Video Production program, received gold medals and first place in the Broadcast News Production contest. They will advance to the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference June 20-24 in Atlanta, Georgia.
        An additional 15 students earned either silver or bronze medals in various contests and they include the following.
        Silver medal winners – Second place: Lucy Bucklew (Eastwood) and Katherine Clapsaddle (Lake), both for the Audio/Radio Production contest; Lee Damschroder (Oak Harbor), for the Culinary Arts contest; and Nathan Bomer (Lake) and Toby Cufr (Northwood), both for the Robotics & Automation Technology contest.
        Bronze Medal Winners – Third place: Gabriel Hufham (Anthony Wayne), Tyler Swoap (Perrysburg) and Ethan Warner (Bowling Green), all for the Career Pathways Showcase – Human Services contest; Tucker Brooks (Otsego), Cole Kwiatkowski (Genoa), and Allie Miller (Anthony Wayne), all for the Career Pathways Showcase – Industrial & Engineering Technology contest; Nick Camarillo (Northwood) and Logan Cramer (Rossford), both for the Cyber Security contest; and Griffin Carlson (Perrysburg) and Trinodad Johnson (Bowling Green), both for the Interactive Application & Video Game Development contest.
        SkillsUSA’s mission is to empower its members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens.​ SkillsUSA improves the quality of America’s skilled workforce through a structured program of citizenship, leadership, employability, technical and professional skills training.
 
Lake junior to graduate
from Owens May 27
        Lake High School junior Jonathan Rhodes, of Millbury, will graduate from Owens Community College with an Associates in Science on May 27.
        Rhodes, 17, has been a College Credit Plus student at Lake since ninth grade.
        Ohio’s College Credit Plus can help students earn college and high school credits at the same time by taking college courses from community colleges or universities. Taking a college course from a public college or university College Credit Plus is free – there is no cost for tuition, books or fees for students who attend public school in the state of Ohio. Those who choose to attend a private college or are homeschooled may incur limited costs.
        Rhodes is continuing CCP with plans to complete a dual major in chemistry and biology at Bowling Green State University. After summer semester, he will have more than 90 college credit hours with a senior ranking in college as he starts fall 2022 as a senior in high school.
        “He has been pursuing a career in medicine since Mrs. Maguire's kindergarten class, and that remains his career choice after graduating from BGSU,” his father said.
        Rhodes is a pianist and drummer at Nation Gospel Tabernacle in Oregon where his parents, Revs. Jonathan and Ayla Rhodes are pastors. He also helps to prepare and serve meals at the church.
 
Maximus Closson
to attend West Point
        Northwood High School graduate Maximus Closson was among the honorees as Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH5) recognized students from Ohio’s Fifth Congressional District on their acceptance to one of the U.S. Military Service Academies.
        A reception was held for the student honorees May 1 the 180th Fighter Wing in Swanton.
        Closson, of Northwood, is scheduled to attend The U.S. Military Academy at West Point. In addition to being his class salutatorian, he was also recognized as the Citizen of the Year at Northwood High School.
 
Ottawa SWCD announces
Poster contest winners
        Two Genoa Middle School seventh-graders were selected the winners of the Ottawa Soil and Water Conservation District’s “Ottawa County Healthy Soil: Healthy Life” poster contest.
        Lucy Schlageter won first-place honors, and Ava Houghtaling came in second. Both girls will be featured on Ottawa SWCD’s social media and have their posters made into placemats for the District’s Annual Banquet in September.
         Schlageter’s poster will be sent to the state competition. Two winners from across the state will be chosen and head to the national contest.
        The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and the NACD Auxiliary is sponsoring the 2022 poster contest.
 
Academic honors
        Berry College: Elizabeth Griffin, of Luckey.
        Bowling Green State University: Lily Mominee, of Oregon; Samantha Wilson, Austin Schmidt, Hunter Walters, Kirsten Zink, Isaac Hoffer, Mitchell Hurley, Olivia Parr, Alissa Heyman, Lydia Long, Makenna Flores, of Northwood;
        Kyle Maville, Emma Lau, Kendall Gerke, Nicholas Tipton, Erica Smith, Amanda Tucholski, of Curtice;
        Sierra Cantley, Abbygaile Lawrence, Isabella Sanchez, Emma Tucker, Kaylie Latez, Dylan Selhorst, Jack Hensel, Allison Schultze, Alan Schroeder, Grace Claus, Paige Travis, of Elmore;
        Cole Leach, Mason Hogan, Quentin Brown, Morgan Perkins, Zachary Szepiela, Gary Goodman, Grant Goodman, Olivia Deverna, Amanda Partin, Adeline Linker, Lillian Reimer, Ashley Greene, of Genoa;
        Rebecca Morelock, Darren Widner, Jordon Egbert, Nathan Tornow, Carter Ash, Emma Stout, Alexandrea Stroble, of Gibsonburg; Katelyn Frederick, Bailey Dusseau, of Graytown;
        Helena Katakis, Jessica Stewart, Margaret Cochrane, Emily Cajka, Logan Soltesz, Paige Woodruff, Amanda Withrow, Jessica Lang, of Luckey; Austin Biddle, Angela Reinhart, of Helena;        Riley Wolff, Mackenzie Schmidt, of Martin;
        Emily Arent, Sara Wadsworth, Sara Dembowski, Taylor Beavers, Clair Johns, of Millbury;
        Bethann Ambrozy, Ella Dedes, Karissa Garza, Elayna Krupp, Dawn Szabo, Allie Large, Xavier Gschwind, Grace Johnson, Madison Glaser, Shelby Leigh, William Alford, Mckenzie Tucker, of Oak Harbor;
        Alyssa Harper, Pamela Keppler, Natalie Nieschwitz, Julissa Hernandez, Renee Appelhans, Katie Skotynsky, Michael Flipse, Cassidy Chagnon, Anna Gudakunst, Kyra Contris, Grace Vaughn, Wesley Romanko, Lily Phommalee, Emma Finley, Madison Finley, Katelyn Konecny, Nick Schuerman, Carleigh Coffield, Mary Cathers, of Pemberville;
        Chloe Kadas, Allysia Eicher, Ally Goetz, Christie Swartz, Mackenzie Smith, Elizabeth Swartz, Madison Zielinski, of Walbridge;
        Justin Schiets, Joseph Emerine, Elizabeth Wilt, Emma Melter, Bradley Miller, Greta Bauder, Grace McCarthy, of Woodville.
        Ohio Wesleyan University: Brooke Hoffman, of Oregon.
        Terra State Community College: Anya Brown, Matthew Helle, Nolan Weaver, of Genoa; Aidan Farmer, Lily Gerwin, Megan Helle, Brendon Kolkemeyer, Olivia Paul, Harley Seem, of Gibsonburg; Maxwell Cobb, Ethan Druckenmiller, of Helena;
        Jacob Sage, of Lindsey; Haley Plantz, of Millbury; Amanda Clark, Alannah Pond, Weston Schroeder, Julie Young, of Oak Harbor.
        Trine University: Tanner Johnston, of Northwood; Megan Davis, Reagan Guthrie, Hannah Otto, of Genoa; Isaac Badenhop, of Pemberville; Chelsea Drummond, of Walbridge.
        Southern New Hampshire University: Alexia Peth, Jordan Volz, of Toledo; Ken Barker, of Elmore; Michael O’Bryan, of Oregon; Dawn Groh, Brandy Brown-Orzechowski, of Woodville.
 
R.C. Waters Top Class Dojos
        R.C. Waters Elementary participates in a school-wide initiative called Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) – a process for creating a safe and productive learning environment.
        The school has adopted a unified set of expectations for behavior, in place in every classroom and non-classroom setting in the school – Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be Ready.
        Student behavior is documented using a tool called Class Dojo, a system that reinforces positive behaviors and quickly engages students in becoming accountable for their own choices. On a scheduled rotation, students are able to “shop” from the Dojo reward cart using the points they have earned for meeting the behavior expectations.
        The Top Class Dojo winners for April include:
        Kindergarten: Aileen Haley, Mila Lipstraw, Laine McGuire, Magnolia Chelette, Hudson Swihart, Evan Garber and Angelo Angelini.
        First grade: Augusta Grau, Austin Silverwood, Lucas Herevia, Jayceon Johns, Carter Edge and Ty Bloomer.
        Second grade: Avianna Kitchin, Eileen Howey, Lorraina Reif, Grayson Gluth, Mya Kruse, Carter Lindsay, Clifford DeTray and Nora Schiller.
        Third grade: Sam Agsten, Trenton Berry, Beckett Blausey, Chelsea McBee, Alexa Kendall, Brady Emahiser, Avery Alcala, Westin Bolen, Olive Walker, Brooke Kohlman, Shelby Cook and Maddie Rook.
 
Omicron Delta Kappa
celebrates new members
        Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society, welcomed 1,971 new initiates from 78 universities in April.
        Local initiates include:
        • Jaelyn Prater, of Oregon – Ohio Northern University.
        • Kari Shupe, of Elmore – Bowling Green State University.
        • Ella Dedes, of Oak Harbor – Bowling Green State University.
        Students initiated into the society must be sophomores, juniors, seniors or graduate/professional students in the top 35% of their class, demonstrate leadership experience in at least one of the five pillars, and embrace the ODK ideals. Fewer than five percent of students on a campus are invited to join each year.
 
Max Venia inducted
into Phi Kappa Phi
        Max Venia, of Oregon, was recently initiated in the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi at The University of Toledo.
        Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines,
        He is among approximately 25,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10 percent of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.
 
Oberhouse performs
        Conner Oberhouse, of Luckey, recently performed in the University of Findlay’s spring instrumental recital. Oberhouse performed “Emmett's Lullaby” by G.E. Holmes on the tuba.
 
Novak inducted
        Jake Novak, of Oregon, was inducted into the Baldwin Wallace University chapter of Chi Alpha Sigma (CAS) National College Athlete Honor Society in the spring 2022 semester. Novak, a graduate of Clay High School majoring in finance, shared the honor with 88 other students.
        Society membership is extended to student-athletes selected by their athletic department in consultation with their head coach at a four-year accredited institution that is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) or the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The criteria for selection includes a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.4, junior academic standing by the fifth semester, earned athletic letter winner, and excellent character and citizenship.
 
UF students participate
in 2022 symposium
        Students at the University of Findlay recently participated in the annual Symposium for Scholarship and Creativity. Undergraduate and graduate students were given the opportunity to share their research, creativity, and professional learning experiences with the University and community, with many students receiving honors at the same time. The symposium may be viewed at findlay.edu/offices/academic/ssc2022.
        Local students who participated include:
        • Morgan Contreras, of Elmore, presented “Does Education and Increasing Awareness Regarding Substance Abuse and Addiction in the Healthcare Professional Have an Impact on Deterring Future Addiction and Abuse?”
        • Morgan Kuhlman, of Millbury, presented “An Unconventional Approach to Conducting Impactful Research” and presented “College of Education Scholars Program and Hilliard City Schools.”
        • Brooke Gyori, of Oregon, was named as a Gamma Zeta Chapter of Pi Theta Epsilon Inductee.