Vantage Career Center
All Boards Meet @ Vantage
04.04.13
School Board members and administrators from the 13 associate schools that attend Vantage enjoyed a delicious dinner prepared by Culinary Arts students at the 36th annual Vantage All Boards Dinner on Thursday night, April 4, 2013. A special program, highlighting 3 top students – Matt Burgei (Ottoville), Cora Finfrock (Crestview) and Tressa Ringwald (Lincolnview) – was especially meaningful to their teachers – Kevin Van Oss, Robin Burns, and Jill DeWert.
The Vantage Board of Education held their April board meeting in the District Conference room prior to the dinner. The minutes from the March 7, 2013 regular board meeting were approved along with financial statements for the month of February, 2013. The Board approved a resolution to approve the post-issuance compliance policies and procedures for tax-exempt obligations.
Superintendent Staci Kaufman updated the board on education and community items.
In new business, the Board:
> Employed the following list, as needed as scheduled: Ashley Cline, 2 Year Special Education Coordinator; Paula Getz, 1 Year, Medical Office Management; Amy Grothouse, Continuing, Cosmetology; Daniel Joyce, Continuing; Science; Jaime Kipfer, 2 Year, Math; Michelle Knippen, 1 Year, Special Education; Matt Miller, 2 Year, Science; Mike Miller, 2 Year, Ag Diesel; Larry Regedanz, 1 Year, Network Systems; Sherryl Proctor, 2 Year, Math; Angie Shellabarger, 2 Year, Special Education Coordinator; Susan Smith, 4 Year; Cosmetology; Tony Unverferth, Continuing, Social Studies; Kent Taylor, 4 Year, Electricity; Mel White, 4 Year, Electricity;
> Resolution to non-renew the position of Building & Grounds Educational Aide, Brenda Wurst effective at the end of the 2012-13 school year. (Position determined annually by program enrollment);
> Accept the resignation of Peg Bollenbacher, Social Studies Instructor, effective May 31, 2013 for the purpose of retirement;
> Employed the following list, as Adult Education instructors, as needed, as scheduled: Kevin Taylor, Police Academy; Deborah Venderley, Health; Michael Miller, Trade & Industrial;
> Approve overnight travel to Haiti for Student Interact Club business from April 4th to April 12, 2013;
> Resolution to accept the MOU between the Vantage Teacher’s Organization and the Vantage Career Center Board to amend the 2013-2014 school calendar;
> Resolution to approve the 2013-2014 Vantage school calendar;
> Resolution to approve the agreement for career technical program services between Delphos City School Board of Education and Vantage Career Center Board of Education effective August 1, 2013 to July 31, 2018;
> Resolution to approve the support of the Community Reinvestment Area Agreement with Kalida Manufacturing Inc., of Kalida. Vantage will receive payments in lieu of taxes;
> Resolution to approve the support of an Enterprise Zone Agreement with InSource Technologies, of Paulding. Vantage will receive payments in lieu of taxes;
> Resolution to approve the Satellite Agreement between Van Wert City Schools and Vantage Career Center for the 2013-2014 school year;
> Resolution to approve the Satellite Agreement between Paulding Exempted Village School District and Vantage Career Center for the 2013-2014 school year;
> Resolution to approve the support of the Community Reinvestment Area Agreement with Remlinger Manufacturing Co., of Kalida. Vantage will receive payments in lieu of taxes;
> Resolution to approve the award of an annual "Robert Brandt Adult Education Scholarship" made possible through an endowment to be managed and invested by the Paulding County Area Foundation.
Outside of the Superintendent’s Consent Items, the board employed Leigh Carey, 1 Year, Health Technology, with Sally Snyder abstaining.
The Superintendent hereby requested that the Board adjourn to executive session for the purpose of discussion of the employment of an employee or official of the School District.
The next regular Board meeting will be held on Thursday, May 2, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. in the District Conference Room.
Superintendent Staci Kaufman reviewed the successful Grand Open House, and presented updates on the solar array and LEED status on the OSFC co-funded construction project. She welcomed and introduced 7 members of the junior Industrial Mechanics program and their teacher, Mr. Kevin Van Oss, who had just returned from the ACTE Student Showcase at the Ohio Statehouse where their “Ed Gee” project had been selected to be displayed. Designer Connie Boley was also on hand as the students explained their roles in the project. High School Director Bob Vennekotter reported on final construction tasks, staff training on new technology, activities in career technical programs and upcoming events. Adult Education Director Pete Prichard updated the Board on the current initiatives, an informational Vet Tech program meeting, the addition of an Industrial Maintenance program, as well as full- and part-time program enrollment and upcoming classes and accreditation options.
In new business, the Board:
> Employed the following: Ben Winans, Student Services Supervisor, three-year contract;
Ted Verhoff, T & I Supervisor, three-year contract; Lori Balliet, Asst. Treasurer, continuing;
Dave Young, Maintenance Supervisor, continuing;
> Employed the following as needed, as scheduled: Annette Klinger, Media/PR secretary, Kristy Rogers and Deborah Eckhart, cafeteria cooks;
> Employed Adult Education instructors, as needed, as scheduled: Rylee Carlisle, Welding;
> Accepted the resignation of Cary Hengstler, Adult Ed STNA instructor effective March 4, 2013;
> Appointed Bob Vennekotter as the District’s Homeless Liaison per school policy;
> Accepted the donation of scrap steel, with the value of $4,760 from the Crown Corporation of New Bremen, Ohio, for the career technical education programs;
> Approved overnight trips to Columbus for State BPA competition (March 14-15), FCCLA competition (April 17-19), SkillsUSA (April 22-23), FFA competition (May 2-3), and ACTE Student Showcase (March 6-7);
> Approved Interdistrict Open Enrollment checklist for FY 2013-2014;
> Approved the resolution to oppose, Governor Kasich's biennial budget (HB 59) which proposes to expand the Educational Choice Scholarship Program through two new programs that will
significantly increase the number of publicly-funded vouchers for students to attend private or parochial schools;
> First reading of NEOLA new, revised or replacement policies. No Board action required at this time.
The next Board meeting will be held at 5:00 pm on Thursday, April 4, 2013 in the District Office Conference Room prior to the All Boards Dinner in the Commons Area at 6:00 pm.
Vantage BPA Students Qualify for State Competition
Vantage Career Center Business students recently competed in the first round of Region 16 Business Professionals of America skills contests at Ohio Hi Point Career Center in Bellefontaine. Fifty students from the Vantage business programs - Interactive Media, Medical Office Management and Network Systems - competed in a variety of different contests including PC Security, VB Programming, Medical Office Procedures, Computer Modeling, Web Site Design, Computer Animation, Network Design, Advanced Office Systems and Procedures, and Administrative Support. In all, twenty-seven students earned the right to advance to the state competition held in Columbus in the spring.
Network Systems’ senior Austin Meyer (Ottoville), who serves as the BPA
Region 16 President, took top honors in the VB Programming, while junior
Alex Gorman (Van Wert) placed second. The team of Taylor Dixon (Van
Wert), Audrey Smith (Wayne Trace), Jammie Farler (Delphos Jefferson),
Abigail Parsons (Delphos St. Johns), and Ryan Hatlevig (Antwerp)
qualified for state competition by placing first in the Parliamentary
Procedure Team contest. Network Systems junior Tyler Stienecker (Lincolnview)
placed first in the Computer Security contest while senior Brock Goins
(Paulding) placed second. Tyler Stienecker (Lincolnview) also placed
first in the Parliamentary Procedure Concepts contest.
Eric Durre (Wayne Trace) a senior in the Interactive Media program placed first in the Computer Modeling competition. Three Interactive Media juniors, Emilee Nicelley (Paulding), Tiffany Romero (Antwerp), and Hannah Robach (Continental) each captured first place in their respective Computer Animation contests. Senior Tressa Ringwald (Lincolnview) took top honors in the Graphic Design Promotion contest. Senior Courtney Marquart (Lincolnview) placed second in the Fundamental Desktop Publishing contest, while senior Hannah Lewis (Lincolnview) placed second in the Fundamentals of Web Design contest.
Four students – Tegan Felver (Parkway), Mackenzie Hanenkratt (Paulding), Julie Seidenstricker (Crestview) and Terin Rankin (Continental) - joined forces to take second place in the Administrative Support Team contest. Brianna Stegaman (Crestview) placed first in the Administrative Individual competition and Mikayla Stetler (Parkway) placed first in the Medical Office contest, and her classmate Chelsea Grimes (Antwerp) placed second. Brianna Vogt (Continental) took first place in the Fundamental Word Processing contest, and Layna Mihm (Van Wert) placed second. Senior MacKenzie Schleeter (Lincolnview) placed second in the Advanced Word Processing contest.
Students who qualified for the state contest will compete March 14 and 15 in Columbus. Congratulations and Good Luck to all student competitors!
Are you wondering how the Vantage OSFC renovation and expansion project turned out? Come and see for yourself at the Vantage Grand Open House, which will be held on Monday, February 25, 2013 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. There will be a brief ceremony from 5:00 – 5:30 pm and then guests can explore the building, visit the labs, meet the teachers, and enjoy some light refreshments. You won’t want to miss it!
CAPTION:
Vantage Business Professional of America (BPA) 2013 state qualifiers!
The Best of Both Worlds
At Vantage Career Center, students find the “best of both worlds”. They receive a first-class career technical education while meeting all of the academic requirements for high school graduation. In addition to Trade and Industry programs and Business programs, Vantage also offers specialized education in Service careers described below.
Due to the tremendous advances in the medical field, outstanding career opportunities are available to students in our Health Technology program. Many health care workers provide basic bedside care, taking vital signs such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse and respiration. They may also prepare and give injections, collect samples for testing, feed patients and assist with bathing and personal hygiene. Students complete a State Approved Nurse Assistant Program and learn medical terminology, medical insurance and computer skills. Health Technology students assist at the annual Vantage Bloodmobile. They learn a wide-range of medical techniques and experience clinical instruction at healthcare facilities. In this program, they develop work ethics, medical skills, and patient care skills.
In the Early Childhood Education program, high school students discover that working with young children can be very rewarding. This program prepares students to work in a licensed child care facility, operate a day care center, become a nanny or teach young children. Students create and provide developmentally appropriate preschool materials for children, learn the day-to-day operations of a state-licensed preschool, and explore careers that deal with the education of young children. In addition to receiving instruction in planning and conducting lessons, the students apply principles of child development and child psychology as they prepare the children for kindergarten. Upon completion, students are prepared for college and immediate employment in the childcare field.
The Culinary Arts program is the starting line for many students who are interested in careers in restaurant services and hospitality management. Students in this program operate the Cup and Saucer Restaurant, a full-service restaurant located at Vantage, which is open to the public three days a week throughout the school year. This two-year program is also the foundation for students who plan to pursue further education for chef training or food service management. Students have the opportunity to become “Serve-Safe” certified and to receive the ProStart Certificate of Achievement. The Culinary Arts program is a ProStart career building program that gives students a “taste for success”! After graduation, students are prepared for professional culinary programs, immediate employment, and further education.
Avantage (French for “new beginnings”) is the name of the Vantage Cosmetology Salon, a fully certified and licensed program by the state of Ohio and open to the public two days a week throughout the school year. Students create, cut, style, color and recommend hair designs for clients. They use advanced techniques to deliver a wide-range of skin care and nail treatments while experiencing a full-service salon environment. Students completing the program, achieving the requirements of the state board of cosmetology and passing the state examination, have the opportunity to graduate as a licensed cosmetologist. They will be prepared for immediate employment in a salon/day spa, advanced licensure, and further education.
If you are interested in finding out about career opportunities in any of these fields or have questions about the service programs at Vantage, please call Ben Winans, Student Services Supervisor at 419-238-5411 or 1-800-686-3944 ext. 2140 or email him at winans.b@vantagecareercenter.com.
Are you wondering how the renovation and expansion project turned out? Come and see for yourself at the Vantage Grand Open House, which will be held on Monday, February 25, 2013 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. There will be a brief ceremony from 5:00 – 5:30 pm and then guests can explore the building, visit the labs, meet the teachers, and enjoy some light refreshments. You won’t want to miss it!
Caption: Shelby Coates (Parkway), a senior in the Vantage Health Technology program, administers an eyesight test to a kindergarten student during screenings held earlier this year.
Twenty Inducted into Vantage National Technical Honor Society
Twenty outstanding Vantage seniors were recently selected as members of the Vantage chapter of the National Technical Honor Society. They were introduced and inducted at the annual NTHS banquet on December 11, 2012, held in the new Commons Area. In addition to the guests of honor, parents, home school principals and counselors, and Vantage teachers and administrators attended the banquet to recognize this elite group of students.
The main purpose of the National Technical Honor Society is to reward scholastic achievement in career technical education. Membership encourages skill development, honesty, service, leadership, citizenship, and individual responsibility. In addition, students are selected for membership in NTHS as a reward for excellence in workforce education; to develop self-esteem, pride and encourage students to reach for higher levels of achievement; and to promote business and industry's critical workplace values - honesty, responsibility, initiative, teamwork, productivity, leadership, and citizenship.
NTHS membership is the highest award for excellence in career technical education and is a reliable indicator of performance and leadership in the workplace. Students who achieved a 3.5 grade point average or better, while maintaining a 95% attendance rate at Vantage, were eligible to apply for membership. In addition to submitting a resume and writing an essay stating why they would like to be a part of the NTHS, the students also were required to obtain three teacher recommendations.
Students selected for membership in the National Technical Honor Society for the 2012 – 2013 school year are Mac Kensey Bendele (Ottoville), Building and Grounds; Caleb Blankemeyer (Lincolnview), Precision Machining; Matt Burgei (Ottoville), Industrial Mechanics; Nicholas Dealey (Crestview), Ag and Industrial Power Technology; Joshua Dempsey (Crestview), Auto Body; Cody Dugan (Parkway), Industrial Mechanics; Cora Finfrock (Crestview), Culinary Arts; Destiny Hines (Van Wert), Cosmetology; Darian Guilmette (Continental), health Technology; Tiffany Hittle (Wayne Trace), Cosmetology; Zachary Miller (Ottoville), Industrial Mechanics; Alyssa Odenweller (Kalida), Cosmetology; Jody Richey (Lincolnview), Welding; Tressa Ringwald (Lincolnview), Interactive Media; Spencer Schaadt (Lincolnview), Precision Machining; Samantha Spangler (Wayne Trace), Auto Technology; Mikayla Stetler (Parkway), Medical Office Management; Alexandria Strickland (Lincolnview), Carpentry; Kayla Warnimont (Paulding), Cosmetology; and Luke Wrasman (Delphos St. Johns), Industrial Mechanics.
Congratulations to these National Technical Honor Society members!
CAPTION:
Newly inducted members of the Vantage 2012 - 2013 National Technical Honor Society.
Parkway Guidance Counselor Mickey McConahay (right) with new Vantage National Technical Honor Society inductees Cody Dugan and Mikayla Stetler.
IT’S FRUIT TIME @ VANTAGE!
Vantage FFA says, “It’s time to order your fresh fruit from the Florida Fruit Association of Vero Beach, Florida.”
Fruit sales are underway now and end on Friday, November 9. Vantage students will be selling fruit through their career tech youth organization. Vantage Career Center’s FFA coordinates this school-wide fundraiser. Money earned from this fundraiser is used by students who compete in regional, state and national competitions, as well as for community service projects, field trips and banquets.
It’s simple to order – contact a Vantage student that you know, or call 419-238-5411 or 1-800-686-3944 ext. 2154. You may leave your order on voicemail, but please be sure to leave your name and phone number.
This year, the following fruit is available for purchase: Navel oranges, $24/full case, $14/half case; Hamlins, $20/full case, $12 half case; Pink Grapefruit, $24/full case, $14/half case; Tangelos, $24/full case, $14/half case. You may also buy a Mixed fruit case, $24, a Trio case (red delicious apples, pink grapefruit, and navel oranges) for $26, or a Fresh Fruit Sampler case (apples, pears, pink grapefruit, tangerines, and navel oranges) for $26. Also available are skinless southern fried peanuts (16 oz. can) $5, mixed nuts (1 lb. can) $7, brittle bites (12 oz. can) $5, and a 3 piece gift pack of brittle bites, honey krunch, and skinless peanuts for $13.
Fruit delivery will begin the first week of December, 2012. Checks should be made payable to Vantage Career Center.
If you have any questions about the Vantage fruit sale, please contact Mike Miller at 419-238-5411 or 1-800-686-3944, extension 2154 or Ted Verhoff at extension 2161.
Vantage to Receive Award
On THURSDAY NIGHT OCT. 18TH @ 7:30 PM @ Vantage - The Vantage Interact Club will receive the Ohio School Boards Association's Humanitarian Award for the commitment and extraordinary efforts on behalf of those in need in Haiti. This achievement will be publicly acknowledged and honored at the 65th Annual NW Region Fall Conference @ Vantage Career Center in Van Wert, OH.
Peg Bollenbacher, coordinator for the long-term Haiti efforts, is a Parkway graduate of 1972.
Tom Banks, Owner of Big Daddy Customs in Enon Valley,
Pennsylvania (a few miles outside of Youngstown), came to Vantage
recently to show Auto Body Repair students just what they can do if they
put their minds to it. Using a dual-action airbrush and water-based
paint, Banks demonstrated techniques that use shadow and highlights to
transform a car hood into a piece of art, complete with lightning bolts,
flames, and even a skull.
For the past 6 years, Banks has been teaching custom paint and graphics
at Ohio Technical College. He serves as the primary outside
demonstrator, traveling to over 30 states inspiring students to pursue
his unique craft. Banks makes visits like this to schools throughout the
region, hoping to show them what they could one day be capable of with
hard work, determination and drive. "It's not all about me and what I do
with an airbrush," Banks said. "I'm showing them what's possible."
"When it comes to air-brushing, it's like coloring a page from a
coloring book, except I'm using an airbrush," he told the students, many
of which have expressed interest in related automobile careers.
Banks taught himself how to airbrush, and was later trained by
world-renowned airbrush artist Richard Markham, who also is an
instructor at Ohio Technical College in Cleveland. He said his favorite
"medium" to work on is motorcycles, partly because there is more profit
in it, but there are other reasons, too. "Everything about the whole
process is a little more edgy and raw," he said. Banks' motto: He says
he will paint just about anything that will stay still long enough to
paint.
All day long, students from a variety of career technical programs at
Vantage joined the Auto Body students to watch Banks work as the art on
the hood became larger, more colorful and more intricate. In the end,
instead of selling the piece for over $1,000, it will adorn a wall in
Mr. Villena’s Auto Body lab.
CAPTION 1:
Vantage Auto Body senior Austin Kincaid (Paulding) practices his
airbrush technique as nationally recognized airbrush artist Tom Banks
observes.
CAPTION 2:
Airbrush artist Tom Banks touches up the flames on his “canvas”.
VANTAGE ANNOUNCES ORIENTATION MEETINGS AND SCHEDULE PICKUP DATES
It's an exciting time at Vantage Career Center, where students can explore, experience, and excel in high school while preparing for immediate employment and further education!
To prepare for the upcoming school year, Vantage will hold two orientation meetings to welcome new students and their parents to the school. The first orientation meeting will be held on MONDAY, AUGUST 27TH at 7:30 p.m. This is for students who are enrolled in Ag & Industrial Power Technology, Auto Body, Auto Technology, Building & Grounds Maintenance, Carpentry, Electricity, Industrial Mechanics, Precision Machining, and Welding.
The second orientation meeting is set for TUESDAY, AUGUST 28TH at 7:30 p.m. and is for students in the following programs: Network Systems, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Interactive Media, Early Childhood Education, Food Careers, Health Careers, and Medical Office Management.
Both meetings will be held in the new Commons Area at Vantage. The evening will include a brief general session as well as an opportunity for students and their parents to meet the career-technical and academic instructors and check out the labs. Class schedules will be available for pick-up and students will be able to pay their program fees, put money on their lunch account, and be measured for uniforms. ALL STUDENTS NEW TO VANTAGE AND THEIR PARENTS SHOULD ATTEND THIS MEETING. Please park in the South (student) parking lot and enter the building through the new Commons entrance on the Southeast corner of the building.
Students who attended Vantage last year can get their class schedules, put money on their lunch account and pay program fees between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 21st and 22nd. Students who are unable to pick up their schedules on the dates above are asked to call Vantage Student Services at 419-238-5411 or 1-800-686-3944 ext. 2126 to make other arrangements.
The first day of school for NEW Vantage students is WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5th. The first day of school for RETURNING Vantage students is THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6th. The school day runs from 8:23 a.m. to 2:40 p.m.
If you should have any additional questions, please call Vantage Student Services at the number above for more information.
Construction
crews removed the old 10,200 lb water tower from the roof of the old
building at Vantage Career Center.
Vantage
Honors Retirees
Vantage Career Center recently said goodbye to five teachers who retired. Shirley Jarvis, Sr. Health Technology instructor, Nancy Moore, Network Systems instructor, Linda Bales, Medical Office Management instructor, Linda McKitterick, Business instructor, and Jennifer Waltz, GRADS instructor, all retired on May 23rd. They took with them a combined 140 years of teaching experience!
The retirees were honored at a staff recognition breakfast at the end of the school year. Board president Lonnie Nedderman and Superintendent Staci Kaufman presented them with certificates, while supervisor Mary Ann Hall and past and present staff members provided a review of memorable moments in their teaching careers.
Congratulations and best wishes on a happy retirement from everyone at Vantage.
Vantage Retirees (left to right): Nancy Moore, Jennifer Waltz, Linda Bales, Linda McKitterick, and Shirley Jarvis.
The largest number of Vantage Business students to ever
compete in National contests will be heading to Chicago at the end of
April!
The team of Isaac Simerman (Crestview), Courtney Marquart (Lincolnview),
Justin Van Horn (Delphos Jefferson), and Austin Meyer (Ottoville)
qualified for national competition by placing second in the
Parliamentary Procedure Team contest. Network Systems Senior Dakota
Talbott (Paulding) placed 3rd in the Computer Modeling contest.
Jasmine Price (Antwerp), a senior in the Medical Office Management
program, placed first in Fundamental
Accounting.
Four junior Medical Office Management students – Chelsea Grimes
(Antwerp), Brianna Vogt (Continental), Mackenzie Hanenkratt (Paulding)
and Breyanna Longdo (Paulding) - joined forces to take second place in
the Administrative Support Team contest. Junior Medical Office
Management’s Mikayla Stetler (Parkway) placed first in Medical Office
Procedures while senior Caleb Lawrence (Wayne Trace) took second place
in the Advanced Interview Skills contest. Senior Tiffany Mozingo
(Lincolnview) took 3rd place in Fundamental Word Processing.
Students who qualified for the national contest will compete April 25 –
29 in Chicago, Illinois. Congratulations and Good Luck!
Pictured: Vantage Business Professional of America (BPA) 2012 national
qualifiers!
Front: Mikayla Stetler, (Parkway), Courtney Marquart (Lincolnview),
Chelsea Grimes (Antwerp), Breyanna Longdo (Paulding), Brianna Vogt
(Continental), Tiffany Mozingo (Lincolnview).
Back: MacKenzie Hanenkratt (Paulding), Justin Van Horn (Delphos
Jefferson), Austin Meyer (Ottoville), Dakota Talbott (Paulding), Isaac
Simerman (Crestview), Caleb Lawrence (Wayne Trace) and Jasmine Price
(Antwerp).
Top of Form
Senior Awards Assembly held at Vantage
For the first time in 36 years, the Vantage Awards Assembly was held in
a different location – the newly constructed Commons Area! Awards of
Distinction and scholarships highlighted the annual Awards Assembly on
Friday, May 18th. A packed house, including the entire student body,
staff members, home school representatives, family and friends, joined
together at this event to recognize the achievements and accomplishments
of students enrolled in Vantage career technical programs.
Student speakers for this year’s assembly were Danielle Taylor (Lincolnview) and Ian Munger (Paulding). Danielle, a Cosmetology student and president of the Interact Club, shared observations on gratitude from her recent trip to Haiti, and talked about how people make a difference in life. Ian, an Industrial Mechanics student, revealed how little he knew about tools and mechanical “things” before coming to Vantage, and how much he learned after just two years – enough to take 2nd place in the Mechatronics state contest with his teammate, Jared Fortman (Kalida). In closing, he assured his classmates, “I know we are all capable of doing extraordinary things.” They both 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: Tiffany Hahn (Interactive Media), Kayla Garb (Culinary Arts), Nacole Mansfield (Early Childhood Education), Harley-Davidson Lane (Electricity), Dylan Long (Auto Body), Ian Munger (Industrial Mechanics), Austin Ream (Auto Body), and Taylor Mock (Cosmetology).
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 Crystal Morgan (Lincolnview) and Jared Fortman (Kalida). Jared was also awarded the Robert Brandt Scholarship.
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 Abram Mitchner (Lincolnview).
Kayla Miller, a Van Wert senior in the Health Technology program, was awarded the Van Wert Rotary scholarship by Van Wert Rotary member Deb Russell. All student scholarship recipients were recognized at the Awards Assembly, along with national skills contestants, National Technical Honor Society members, award of merit winners, students receiving academic awards, students with perfect attendance, student ambassadors and Girls and Boys State delegates were recognized during the assembly.
CONGRATULATIONS to the
Vantage Career Center class of 2012! 
Pictured:
Vantage class of 2012 Award of Distinction winners: Front row:
Harley-Davidson Lane (Electricity – Continental), Dylan Long (Auto Body
– Parkway), Ian Munger (Industrial Mechanics – Paulding), Austin Ream
(Auto Body – Wayne Trace). Back row: Tiffany Hahn (Interactive Media –
Paulding), Kayla Garb (Crestview – Culinary Arts), Nacole Mansfield
(Early Childhood Education – Continental). Unavailable for the picture
was Taylor Mock (Cosmetology – Paulding).
CAPTION
2:
Vantage Superintendent Staci Kaufman presents the Robert Brandt
scholarship to Jared Fortman (Kalida).
CAPTION
3:
Abram Mitchner (Lincolnview) accepts the Joshua Ralston Memorial
Scholarship from Mr. Scott Ralston.
Guest speaker for the evening was Vantage Director, Bob Vennekotter, who spoke about the renovation and expansion project.
The
chapter honored Mr. Vennekotter and Mrs. Sherryl Proctor, Vantage math
teacher, with FFA Honorary Degrees for their involvement with the
Vantage FFA Chapter. Awards were presented to FFA members throughout the evening. Senior Jake Frank (Lincolnview) and junior Nick Dealey (Crestview) were presented with “Quiet Leader” awards for setting an example to others by their actions. The “110%” award was given to senior Andre Greutman (Wayne Trace) and junior Aaron Carpenter (Paulding).
Receiving the Scholarship award for outstanding grades was senior Abram Mitchener (Lincolnview). Senior Eric Adams (Paulding) was recognized as this year’s Most Valuable FFA member. Most improved awards went to senior Ben Woodruff (Paulding) and junior Johnathon McBride (Crestview).
The new officer induction ceremony was held and outgoing officers were thanked for their contribution to the Vantage FFA chapter. Officers for the 2012-2013 school year are President, Joe McVay (Wayne Trace), Vice President, Nick Dealey (Crestview), Secretary, Johnathon McBride (Crestview), Treasurer, Vince Reinhart (Paulding), Sentinel, Mike Ladd (Crestview), Student Advisor, Devin Snyder (Crestview), Reporter, Aaron Carpenter (Paulding), and Chaplain, Dale Young (Wayne Trace).
Pictured at left: Retiring Vantage FFA President, Abram Mitchener, and his awards for the evening!
Pictured below: Vantage FFA Award Winners: (Seated): Eric Adams (Paulding), John McBride (Crestview), Jake Frank (
Lincolnview),
Nick Dealey (Crestview). Row 2: Aaron Carpenter (Paulding), Andre
Greutman (Wayne Trace), Abram Mitchener (Lincolnview), Joe McVay (Wayne
Trace), Devin Snyder (Crestview), and Mike Ladd (Crestview).
The Interact Club also collected and delivered 20 boxes of medical equipment and supplies, which was given to a Haitian medical clinic that treats orphans for free. While they were there, Bollenbacher and the students worked to sort the tools and medical supplies. They also visited the carpentry class at Bordes, Haiti, where the carpentry students, told the Americans to continue the educational program because it is just too important to end. “Seeing what little they had at their school made me feel very fortunate for what we have. They don’t focus on what they don’t have, but are grateful for what they DO have,” said Tiffany. On Easter Sunday, a graduation ceremony was held, at which diplomas and hand tools were distributed to the graduates.
The Vantage crew spent the week visiting friends, exchanging educational and cultural ideologies and visiting Haitian historical sites. At Milot, Haiti, the team visited Christophe’s Palace. The Haitians built the palace in appreciation of Christophe’s leadership to repel the French from Haiti. The palace was destroyed by an earthquake around 1840. The students were impressed with the Haitian’s ability to carve and their other art work. As a reward for their labor throughout the week, the team spent a day at the beach, near Labadee, Haiti.
As
usual, the students were initially shocked at the standard of living
that Haitians must endure. It is difficult to imagine what daily life is
like in Haiti. No running water, sewage systems, garbage pick-up or
traffic laws, were just a few of the things that Haitians live with
every day. Danielle said, “Looking out the window of the plane when we
first arrived, and only seeing shacks and garbage, I just wanted to cry.
But the people are nothing like what they live with – they are amazing
and so friendly.” New friendships were made, and a better understanding of other cultures was learned. The three American students said that they would NEVER take their standard of living for granted ever again!
Pictured above: Vantage students Danielle Taylor, Samantha Spangler, and Tiffany Hahn are surrounded by young Haitian children during their visit over spring break. One of the youngsters in the background holds Danielle’s smartphone.
Pictured at left: Vantage Interact club advisor, Peg Bollenbacher, hands out a Certificate of Completion to a graduating member of the Bordes, Haiti carpentry class.