March 14, 2008

It’s so nice to be writing a TGIF posting and not be worrying about the weather! How long has it been since that happened?!? What a beautiful couple of days it’s been—a sure sign that spring is coming soon to reward us for making it through a very difficult winter.

Monday evening, Nila Marquard, JoEtta Spain, and I attended the Rotary Honors Dessert which honors seniors in Logan County schools who have maintained a GPA of 3.5 or higher. I’m delighted to report that OHP had several students honored during this special event, and it was our honor to be there to recognize them. It’s only been during the last few years that we’ve been included with the other schools, and I believe it reflects our emphasis on higher standards and higher level academic courses. Our students have risen to the occasion and continue to make us proud!

On Wednesday, we had Leadership Logan County participants visit our building during their Education Day. Three of our staff members (Darlene Chiles, Shane Haggerty, and Deb Wortman) are participating in the program this year. The group toured our programs, heard about the adult, main campus, and satellite programs, and were served a wonderful lunch by our Culinary Arts students. It has been so nice to have more groups of this type visiting our campus and learning about what Ohio Hi-Point has to offer. These are current and future leaders of Logan County, and they’re a great group to educate so that they can go out and spread the good word! Thanks to JoEtta Spain for arranging and hosting their visit.

Wednesday evening, the Taste of Logan County was held here at OHP. While I couldn’t be here for the event, I’ve heard several positive comments. One community member that I saw after the event told me what a blessing it is to have a facility such as ours to host such activities. I did see our Facilities & Grounds staff setting up for the event; and I know that, as usual, they took very good care of our guests. Kudos to them for another fine job! As I’ve said before, our campus is a community resource, and it’s gratifying to know that our fine facilities are appreciated.

Thursday evening was our annual Appreciation Banquet during which we honor our Advisory Committees and other supporters in the community. It’s always one of my favorite events of the year! It is amazing how many members of our community come together to lend us their expertise and guidance to make our programs the absolute best, and seeing them all in one room is quite impressive. Thanks to all who assisted with arranging the banquet and to our staff members who hosted Advisory Committee Meetings prior to (or after) the banquet and made our guests feel welcome. And congratulations to the ProjectSEARCH Advisory Committee (and instructor Mary Jo Alstaetter) for receiving the Advisory Committee of the Year Award, and to Jeanne Bowman, Administrator at Memorial Hospital in Urbana, for receiving the Making a Difference Award. Recognition well deserved on everyone’s part!

Speaking of the Appreciation Banquet, I've been asked by a competitor in our Biggest Loser contest to plead with the "powers that be" to please postpone the weigh-in until Monday! This staff member feels it's just not fair to have to weigh-in the day after such a wonderful feast! I said I'd do my best, but I don't know that I have much pull here. From what I read in the e-mail updates, the competition is getting pretty aggressive. Good luck to all of you, and good for you for your health-conscious efforts!

Next Wednesday (March 19), the American Association of University Women will be hosting their annual Trivia Bee here at Ohio Hi-Point Career Center, and we have six of our very own staff members competing as a team! Please wish Pat Roby, Melissa Sizemore, Surena Neer, JoAnnVentresco, Caleb Lang, and Mark Davis the very best as they compete next week. We’re proud of Team Hi-Point; and with all that brain power, we know you’ll do just great!!

Have a wonderful weekend!