Life briefs: AAA awards, PJ drive, student recognitions and more

Area Agency on Aging hands out annual awards

The Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging Inc. presented several awards during its annual meeting Dec. 1 at the Mid-Ohio Conference Center in Mansfield.

The Project Collaboration award was presented to the Focal Points in the service area, including Ashland County Council on Aging Inc., Crawford County Council on Aging Inc., Enrichment Centers for Huron County, The Station Break Senior Center of Knox County, Marion Senior Center, Morrow County Services for Older Citizens, Seneca County Commission on Aging, and Wyandot County Council on Aging Inc.

The Community Partnership award was presented to Schmidt Security Pro. The Advocate of the Year award was presented to the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Volunteers – Region 5. The Award of Excellence was presented to Grant Hollenbach, LPCC-S, and Rick Crouch. Inducted into the AAA Hall of Fame was John Kastelic.

Proceeds from the annual meeting will provide scholarships to students in pursuit of a field of study, certification program, or degree benefitting the field of aging.

Area Agency on Aging announces new Richland County board member

The Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging, Inc. announces the appointment of new member, John Roby, to its Board of Trustees and will serve as the Richland County representative.

Roby is the CEO of Roby Foster Miller Erick RFME Insurance. His prominence in the community is noted by his involvement in several boards: Richland County Foundation, Catalyst Life Services, The University Club Education Foundation, Mansfield Memorial Homes endowment advisory board, and The Rehab Center. He was a former trustee for Mansfield and Richland County Public Library and served on the Mansfield City Schools' Financial Advisory Committee.

St. Mary School holds pajama drive

SHELBY — St. Mary School in Shelby collected more than 82 pairs of pajamas for the Scholastic Reading Club Great Bedtime Story Pajama Drive which provides new pajamas and books to children in need — especially those living in group homes, shelters, foster care, and orphanages.

Principal Kim Stover says the school wanted to help make a better bedtime for these children and community service is an important part of the school's mission.

Local college students serve on First-Gen Student Advisory Council at Baldwin Wallace University

BEREA — Two Richland County students were among 15 first-generation students selected to be members of BW's new First-Gen Student Advisory Council. Will Bolin of Mansfield is a graduate of Ontario High School and majoring in finance. Daisjah Brown of Mansfield is a graduate of Mansfield Senior High School majoring in political science.

According to the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), students are "first-generation" if their "parent(s) did not complete a four-year college or university degree, regardless of other family members' level of education."

The student leaders chosen to serve on this new First-Gen Student Advisory Council will act in both an advisory and outreach capacity for First-Gen programs and resources at BW.

Pioneer honors its October Students of the Month

SHELBY — Ashley Huber and Cohen Krupa were recently named as October Students of the Month at Pioneer Career and Technology Center.

Huber is enrolled in the graphic arts program at Pioneer. She is a senior at Shelby High School and the daughter of Sonia Huber. At Pioneer, Huber is involved in SkillsUSA and participates in choir, bowling and 4-H at Shelby. She volunteers her time by helping clean Shelby parks. Huber's future plans are to be a graphic designer and a teacher.

Krupa, from Lucas High School, is enrolled in the performing arts program. He is a junior from Lucas and is the son of Heather Krupa. Krupa enjoys writing in his free time. His future plans include having a music career and a goal to have a sold-out show by age 35.

Crestline woman crowned Miss Voluptuous Ohio

Briana Streib Balliett, of Crestline was crowned Miss Voluptuous Ohio on Nov. 19 in Galion. The Miss Voluptuous Ohio pageant is a preliminary to the Miss Voluptuous International Grand Finals, which take place April 2-7, 2023, in Denver, Colorado. Balliett will compete there alongside other Ohio delegates — Ms. Voluptuous Ohio Shauna McLain and Ms. Buckeye State Krista Snyder.

At the state pageant, Balliett was recognized in four additional categories: Miss Congeniality (voted on by fellow contestants), Miss Visibility (for making the most appearances representing the Miss Voluptuous program), Miss People’s Choice (via social media), and Miss Photogenic.

Balliett is a 2018 graduate of Galion High School. She was awarded a track and field scholarship to Tiffin University, where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in human resources and is currently pursuing a master’s degree. Balliett is employed at health center that services Ashland, Crawford and Richland counties. She also coaches track and field at Colonel Crawford.

More information can be found at missvoluptuouspageants.com.

Christmas light display underway in New London

NEW LONDON — Christmas Tree Lane, a drive-thru Christmas light display, is open at New London Recreation Park, 2 Blake St., New London, from dusk to dawn through Jan. 2.

Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, and Merry Elves will make guest appearances at their convenience. Find the wooden elves on the shelves in the displays, take your picture and follow the rules for a chance to win $50.

For more information, visit the Inspire New London Facebook page.

Morrow Little Theatre to hold auditions for upcoming play

MOUNT GILEAD — Morrow Little Theatre will hold auditions at 7 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Capitol Theatre for "Radium Girls," a play by D. W. Gregory. The play calls for at least five women and four to five men, but could be expanded to 30 or more cast members.

For more information, visit morrowlittletheatre.org.

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Area Agency on Aging presents annual awards, local students honored