Vantage hosts 2013 awards assembly

Vantage Career Center news

Awards of Distinction and scholarships highlighted the annual awards assembly Wednesday, May 29.  A packed house, including home school representatives, family and friends, joined together at this event to recognize the achievements and accomplishments of senior students enrolled in Vantage career technical programs. Juniors put the new technology to use as they watched the assembly via “live streaming” from their classrooms.

Student speakers for this year’s assembly were Mikayla Stetler (Parkway) and Eric Durre (Wayne Trace).

Stetler, a Medical Office Management student and national BPA competitor, motivated her classmates by urging them to “use the knowledge that we have learned at Vantage … work hard for the goals you want to achieve, be grateful for all that has been given to you and be confident in yourself … and never take anything for granted.”

Durre, an Interactive Media student and also a national BPA contestant, asked members of the class of 2013 to capitalize on their choice to attend Vantage. Both speakers thanked teachers and staff members 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: Cora Finfrock (Culinary Arts), Josh Dempsey (Auto Body), Nick Dealey (Ag & Industrial Power Technology), Tressa Ringwald (Interactive Media), Caleb Blankemeyer (Precision Machining), Alexandria Strickland (Carpentry), Lucas Manns (Welding), Matt Burgei (Industrial Mechanics), MacKenzie Hanenkratt (Medical Office Management), Eryn Watson and Samantha Stose (Health Technology), and Destiny Hines (Cosmetology)

Scholarship recipients were also recognized at the assembly. The Robert C. Stevens Scholarship is given by the Vantage Teachers Organization in memory of Bob Stevens, who taught Occupational Work Experience (OWE) at Vantage from 1976 until 1984. Students 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 Dealey (Crestview), Ringwald (Lincolnview), and Blankemeyer (Lincolnview).

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. Ralston’s father, Scott, presented this scholarship to Dealey.

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 Dealey. Current Vantage Superintendent Staci Kaufman and Lisa McClure, executive director of the Paulding Area Foundation, presented the scholarship.

The Van Wert Rotary Club provides an annual scholarship to students at all county schools. Rotarian Dave Roach presented the scholarship to Dealey.

All student scholarship recipients were recognized at the Awards Assembly.  This year, Vantage students received over $75,000 in scholarships to continue their education.  Also honored were national BPA contestants, state skill contestants, National Technical Honor Society members, award of merit winners, students receiving academic awards, students with perfect attendance, student ambassadors and Buckeye Girls and Boys State delegates.