Family, friends, and home school representatives, gathered at the annual Awards Assembly on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 to recognize the achievements and accomplishments of senior students enrolled in Vantage career technical programs. Awards of Distinction and scholarships highlighted the event and juniors put technology to the test as they watched the assembly via “live video streaming” from classrooms.
The student speaker for this year’s assembly was Cole Ketchum, a senior in the Precision Machining program from Parkway. Cole shared how coming to Vantage provided him with opportunities he never realized were possible and the news that he will begin a permanent full-time job @ Nidec Minster Manufacturing thanks to his technical training at Vantage. He also thanked teachers, staff members and classmates for their guidance, friendship and support.
Each year, career technical teachers select outstanding students to receive an “Award of Distinction”. To be eligible for this award, a student must demonstrate leadership qualities at school, have outstanding achievement in their program area, show exceptional skills in the subject area, participate as an active member of a school career technical club and demonstrate cooperation, initiative and responsibility. This year’s “Award of Distinction” winners are: Tyler Foust, Auto Technology (Delphos Jefferson), Tyler Talboom, Auto Body (Delphos Jefferson), David Leathers, Building & Grounds (Delphos St. Johns), Derek Schroeder, Precision Machining (Kalida), Austin Schulte, Welding (Kalida), Arik Mitchener, Ag & Industrial Power Tech (Lincolnview), Caleb Bender, Carpentry (Lincolnview), Nicholas Grote, Industrial Mechanics (Ottoville), Cole Ketchum, Precision Machining (Parkway), Marty Kessler, Network Systems (Paulding), and Jill Ross, Medical Office Management (Wayne Trace).
Kennedy Manufacturing Plant Manager Mike Pond announced the Kennedy Manufacturing Precision Machining and Industrial Mechanics “Senior of the Year” award. For a second consecutive year, Kennedy Manufacturing presented a Machinist’s Rolling Chest to an outstanding Precision Machining senior and a Maintenance Rolling Chest to an outstanding Industrial Mechanics senior. This year’s recipients are Derek Schroeder (Precision Machining) and Nicholas Grote (Industrial Mechanics.
Karlee Trammell receives the Robert Brandt Scholarship from Lisa McClure of the Paulding County Foundation (left) and Vantage Superintendent Staci Kaufman.
Arik Mitchener, a senior in the Ag & Industrial Power Tech program, accepts the Josh Ralston Memorial Scholarship from Josh’s father, Scott.
Scholarship recipients were also recognized at the assembly. The Robert C. Stevens Scholarship is given by the Vantage Teacher’s Organization in memory of Bob Stevens, who taught Occupational Work Experience (OWE) at Vantage from 1976 until 1984. Students who are awarded this scholarship have shown outstanding achievement in their program area, while demonstrating initiative and perseverance. This year, the Robert C. Stevens Scholarships were awarded to Jill Ross (Wayne Trace), Alysha Moran (Continental), and Samantha Hinchcliff (Wayne Trace). The Joshua Ralston Memorial Scholarship was established in 2003 in memory of Josh Ralston, a Vantage Ag Diesel student from Parkway. This scholarship is given to a student pursuing a career and further education in mechanics. Josh’s father, Scott Ralston presented this scholarship to Arik Mitchener. The Robert Brandt Scholarship was established in 2011 in memory of Bob Brandt, the very first Vantage superintendent, who stayed at the helm of the school for 27 years. This year’s scholarship recipient was Karlee Trammell (Crestview).
Van Wert Rotarian Dave Roach presents the Dee Whitcraft Memorial Rotary Scholarship to Vantage senior, Hannah Smith.
The Van Wert Rotary Club provides an annual scholarship to students at all Van Wert county schools. The year, the Dee Whitcraft Memorial Rotary Scholarship was awarded to Hannah Smith by Rotarian Dave Roach. Marianne Hardesty of the American Red Cross awarded the ARC High School scholarship to Alysha Moran.
In March, 2014, Vantage Welding junior Robbie Seffernick lost his life in a car accident. His family has established the Robbie Seffernick Memorial Award to be presented to a junior Welding student. This year, there were two recipients – Brooke Brown (Van Wert) and Hunter Blankemeyer (Lincolnview).
All student scholarship recipients were recognized at the Awards Assembly. This year, Vantage students received over $200,000 in scholarships to continue their education. Also honored were national BPA contestants, state skill contestants, National Technical Honor Society members, students receiving academic awards, students with perfect attendance, and student ambassadors.
