March 19, 2009

Wow, fast week! I’m sure it’s been quick for all of you too, with altered schedules, OGT testing, day and evening classes—never a dull moment! Spring arrives tomorrow (hurray!), and my calendar tells me Saturday is the birthday of Benito Juarez. I have to admit—I had to Google him to find out why I would want to know this. But I’ll bet our Spanish teacher Rene Mejia can give us a lesson on this man’s importance!

Last Friday I attended the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) Ohio Spring Conference with Shane Haggerty and JoEtta Spain. Shane is an officer of the organization and helped plan the conference, and both he and JoEtta were recognized at the awards luncheon. JoEtta received the “Friend of Education” award for all the work she has done to recruit students into our programs, network with business & industry through our school-to-work program, and bring recognition to our school through her public relations efforts. Shane accepted the “Best of the Best” award for our website and “Mark of Excellence” award for our Hi-Lites newsletter. I was really proud to be there amongst representatives from school districts all over Ohio to celebrate this recognition (see photo at right). Thanks to both JoEtta and Shane for all you do to keep us in the public eye in such a positive way!

Monday evening I spoke at the Urbana Rotary Club at the invitation of Dr. Stephen Jones, Urbana University President. I shared with them some of the history of our current, updated them on our high-school and adult programs, and expressed that we are looking forward to expanding into our South Campus in Urbana. They had several questions about our programs as well as the alternative energy projects we’ve embarked upon. We have many, many supporters in Champaign County; and I especially appreciate our partnerships with Urbana University, the school districts in Champaign Co., Jobs and Family Services, the City of Urbana, and several businesses that have supported our workforce development offerings there. Our teachers in those programs have done an excellent job and paved the way for future growth!

Wednesday evening five of OHP’s finest competed in the American Association of University Women Trivia Bee fund-raiser held here at our facility. Ohio Hi-Point’s team—Caleb Lang, Doug Limes, Surena Neer, Melissa Sizemore, and JoAnn Ventresco—did a great job and had a lot of fun! (See the photo of our astute-looking team at right.) I hear from JoEtta Spain, who was also there serving as a judge, that we need to have our team bone up on Logan County history—but other than that they did great! Thanks to all of you for participating and representing Ohio Hi-Point so well!

I was not able to be at the Trivia Bee on Wednesday evening to cheer on our team because I was attending the Hardin County All-Boards Banquet. It was my privilege to be there to recognize and thank our Board Members from Hardin County (Dean McCullough from Ridgemont, Russ Blue from Kenton, Bill Cook from Upper Scioto Valley, and Larry Mouser from the Hardin Co. ESC). The speaker was John Thomas, a former school superintendent, who gave us several examples from around the state of collaboration among school districts and other agencies that have resulted in tremendous benefits to students and communities. The topic was very timely—as resources become more scarce, it will be even more important for us all to work together to leverage rather than duplicate resources and efforts to best serve our customers.

Recently I received an e-mail from Joyce Brown, wife of former U.S. Senator Clarence Brown, from Urbana. She shared with me that two of our Culinary Arts students, Jacob Park and Krysten Beckett, had presented to her Delta Kappa Gamma organization and demonstrated very ornate garnishes. This gave her the idea to have our students prepare centerpieces for the grand opening of the new Cedar Bog Education Center in Urbana on April 17. And so . . . our students will be doing just that—preparing nature-themed centerpieces out of fruits and vegetables! I suggested a frog since one of the themes of the Bog has been “A Frog in the Bog.” As their instructor Donna Beale said, you never know when opportunities will come along, and she’s taught her students to be prepared to take advantage of those opportunities. I will be attending the grand opening of the Educational Center, and I know the work of our Culinary students will be a hit and make us all proud!

Mary Jo Alstaetter, Project SEARCH instructor, shared with me recently that her interns present a traveling trophy monthly to a staff person or department for outstanding service to the Project SEARCH program. She forwarded a note they had received from a recipient in the Dietary Department at Logan Acres:

To all the young project SEARCH men and women, you make my day brighter when you walk in the door. You all do so much to make my job easier. Each year I can’t wait for a new group to come and miss each and everyone as you go. Thanks for the award trophy you gave us in Dietary. We have the Shining Star on our shelf in the kitchen as a reminder of all you are and will be in the future as you go out in the world, whatever it may be you do. Your teachers and leaders are fine also. Keep your heads up high and a smile on your faces!

Stephanie Dysert

What a great tribute! And isn’t that what it’s all about—teaching our students to give back and show appreciation to those who have helped them along the way. Thanks for sharing, Mary Jo!

Seems as if our students aren’t the only ones getting a little rambunctious with spring fever these days. I looked out my window Thursday afternoon and saw one of our Animal Tech students chasing one of her four-legged “clients” down the hill—must have had an escapee! I think we all just want to get outside and enjoy this weather. I hope you have a chance to do just that this weekend!