Life briefs: Student, employee and military honors; Chautauqua book discussion

Pioneer salutes its Students of the Month for November

SHELBY — The Pioneer Career and Technology Center Board of Education recently honored the November Students of the Month.

Lexi Parr is enrolled in the medical technologies program at Pioneer. She is a senior at Lexington High School and is the daughter of Matt and Tina Parr. At Pioneer, Lexi is involved in NTHS, Health & Safety Committee, and the mock trial. Outside of school, she volunteers her time at the homeless shelter and with the Period Poverty Project. She is also active in her church youth group, serving as president. Lexi plans to attend North Central State College and major in nursing.

Also honored as November Student of the Month was Graysen Jackson. Graysen is enrolled in the carpentry program at Pioneer. He is a senior from Lucas High School and is the son of Brent and Naomi Jackson. At Lucas, Graysen plays on the varsity football team, plays basketball and volunteers his extra time helping shovel driveways in the community and mulching the local park. Graysen wants to start his own business for either carpentry or tree service.

It was also reported at Pioneer's December board meeting that staff donated 30 boxes of food to 30 students who were in need this holiday season.

Galion Schools recognize students for their achievements

GALION — The Galion City School District Board of Education in December recognized four students who have consistently demonstrated the Portrait of a Tiger trait, Involved, throughout the month of December. The Involved trait calls for students to display a passion for the community's success through active engagement in service opportunities and for them to seek ways to participate in school-related activities to develop a sense of Galion Pride. The students recognized are: Korbin Hurst, kindergarten; Paul Price, fifth grade; Rhiley Skaggs, eighth grade, and Wyatt Estep, 11th grade.

The Board then recognized three students who earned First Team All-Ohio recognition for their success in fall athletics. The student-athletes recognized are: Ella Payne, Division III 1st Team All-Ohio volleyball (setter); Landon Kurtzman, Division IV 1st Team All-Ohio football (defensive end); and Landon Campbell, Division IV 1st Team All-Ohio football (punter).

A public hearing on the proposed 2023-24 school year calendar will be held at the next board meeting on Tuesday in the Galion Middle School computer lab. The organizational meeting takes place at 6:15 p.m. followed by the regular meeting.

Area Agency on Aging names Employee Award of Excellence

The Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging, Inc. recognized Leslie Davis as the recipient of the 2022 Employee Award of Excellence.

Davis has been a team member of the agency since 2008. She plays an integral role in the Richland County Senior Services Levy program by facilitating and coordinating the services which Richland County older adults may receive. She utilized her innovative leadership skills to develop eligibility tools used to screen individuals and determine enrollment into the Care Coordination program. This critical piece of the program’s redesign enabled the agency to evaluate client need to ensure good stewardship of levy funds.

The Agency’s Employee Award of Excellence has been given annually for 16 years. Its purpose is to recognize an employee who is nominated by the staff and has exemplified outstanding aspects of its work culture and commitment to excellent service.

Record-setting pilot Jackie Cochran focus of Ashland Chautauqua’s January book discussion

ASHLAND — Jackie Cochran was an amazing pilot, full of daring, always trying for a new record in flight in the mid-20th century. She was dedicated to getting her name into the news. Yet she is not well-known today.

Jackie owned a line of cosmetics and started flying so she could market those products around the country. She discovered that she loved flying and loved the publicity even more. Her wealthy husband and her assertive personality combined to win her friendships with famous and influential people, such as Amelia Earhart, Chuck Yeager and President Dwight Eisenhower. However, those factors also gave her a reputation of being brash and egotistical.

The action-packed life of Jackie Cochran will be the subject of Ashland Chautauqua’s free virtual book discussion at 7 p.m. on Thursday via Zoom. The book, "Jackie Cochran: Pilot in the Fastest Lane," is a biography written by Doris L. Rich. Chautauqua scholar Karen Vuranch will lead the discussion. Vuranch will portray Jackie Cochran in-person during the July 2023 event week of Ashland Chautauqua performances.

It is not necessary to read the book to participate, however pre-registration for the book discussion is required through Eventbrite.

The Jackie Cochran book discussion is the second in a series of five virtual book discussions based on the theme, “History’s Real Action Figures,” Ashland Chautauqua’s theme for the July 11-15 event. See the Ashland Chautauqua website for a list of dates and book titles.

Ontario grad appointed student ambassador at Baldwin Wallace University

BEREA — Will Bolin of Mansfield was appointed a student ambassador by the Baldwin Wallace University Center for Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement. BW Student Ambassadors is a student organization that fosters relationships between BW alumni and the university. Ambassadors undergo a competitive selection process with finalists invited to the home of BW President Bob and Linda Helmer for a group interview.

Bolin, a graduate of Ontario High School majoring in finance, was appointed along with 11 other students.

For more than 20 years, the BW Student Ambassadors organization has encouraged high-level volunteerism and service to the university as well as advanced professional and personal development training for its members. Ambassadors assist a variety of on- and off-campus events such as the Bold & Gold Homecoming Festival, the Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and reunions for alumni from select class years and decades. They also assist BW's Center for Philanthropy, helping to meet with donors and to assist in raising valuable scholarship dollars. In addition to working events, members have numerous opportunities to learn interviewing, leadership and networking skills.

Ashland resident graduates from Army infantry training

FORT BENNING, Georgia — Private First Class (PFC) Joseph M. Manges graduated from U.S. Army Infantry Training (OSUT) at Ft. Benning in Georgia on Dec. 2.

Manges completed an intensive 22-week program and earned the coveted award “Soldier of the Cycle” over close to 200 of his peers through demonstrated outstanding training abilities and exceptional skills. For this achievement, he was honored at his graduation, chosen to recite the Infantry Creed, and awarded the Army Achievement Medal.

He is a 2022 graduate of Ashland High School and will now attend the prestigious Ranger Assessment and Selection Program (RASP) at Ft. Benning for his next assignment.

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Pioneer, Galion students recognized, Ashland Chautauqua event