Vantage
Career Center staff, students, alumni, families and friends gathered for the
premiere of the virtual Vantage Senior Awards Ceremony on Friday, May 22, 2020
to honor students who have earned not only academic credits toward graduation, but
certifications, licensure, and other valuable skills in their two years
enrolled in one of the Career Technical programs at Vantage. The pre-recorded ceremony
featured alumni and senior speeches, as well as the awards presentation to
honor the Vantage Class of 2020!
Mr.
Jeffrey Schulte (Kalida), recent Alumni Hall of Fame inductee (Vantage Machine
Tool and Technology, 2002), shared how Vantage provided him with tools and
opportunities that opened many doors throughout his career. “Vantage Career
Center really jumpstarted my career by not only giving me the basic skills in
my industry, but I found a new and exciting way to learn.” Schulte continues, “While
attending Vantage, Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry had a use in my life,
which finally made it seem much easier to learn.” Schulte has an Associate’s
degree in Manufacturing Technologies from Owens Community College, Bachelor’s degree
from Eastern Michigan University and Master’s Degree from University of Northwestern
Ohio. “We all have to create our own paths for success in life,” encouraged
Schulte. “Your path may not be the same as your peers, but you hold the key to
your own success.” Schulte is currently the Plant Operations Manager at
Unverferth Manufacturing in Kalida, Ohio.
Senior Ag and Industrial Power Technical
student, Ms. Megan Garrity (Paulding), gave a powerful senior speech to her
peers. Megan encouraged her fellow graduates to rise up to overcome challenges,
reminding each student of their potential for greatness, but that there are no shortcuts.
“One of the things I admire most about this group of seniors is how we all came
together as a class. Before we arrived here at Vantage, we all came from very
different schools, but here, and together, we were able to combine our talents
and skills into an influential and dominate body of educational excellence.”
Garrity concludes her message by saying, “This senior class will always be
united in truly unique way. So today, we close the door to the past, open the
door to the future, take a deep breath, step on through and start a new, exciting
and amazing chapter in our lives.”
Each
year, Vantage 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. Congratulations to this year’s “Award of Distinction”
winners: Kaylie Tressler (Paulding), Ag and Industrial Power Technology; Spencer
Smith (Van Wert), Auto Body; Mark Rice (Delphos Jefferson), Carpentry; Alexander
Welker (Parkway), Culinary Arts; Kaitlynn Keller (Continental), Early Childhood
Education; Bridget Martin (Delphos Jefferson), Health Technology; Michael
Burgei (Ottoville), Industrial Mechanics; Kacey Denman (Lincolnview),
Interactive Media; Rachael Breese (Parkway), Medical Office Management; Gage
Smith (Paulding), Network Systems; Evan Meyers (Ottoville) and Trevor Seifker
(Kalida), Precision Machining; and Makenna Suever (Van Wert), Welding.
In March, 2014,
Vantage Welding junior Robbie Seffernick lost his life in a car accident. His
family established the “Hey Buddy Scholarship” and the Robbie Seffernick
Memorial Award to be presented to a junior Welding student. Career and
Technical Supervisor, Ted Verhoff, presented this award to Derek Weyrauch (Fort
Jennings). Verhoff also presented the Kennedy Manufacturing awards, a
Machinist’s Rolling tool chest to an outstanding Precision Machining senior and
a Maintenance Rolling tool chest to an outstanding Industrial Mechanics senior
each year. Trevor Siefker (Kalida) received the Kennedy Manufacturing Precision
Machining “Senior of the Year” award and Michael Burgei (Ottoville) was the
recipient of the Industrial Mechanics "Senior of the Year" award. Tanner
Mathewson (Delphos Jefferson) was awarded the CROWN Welding Senior of the Year
scholarship. In memory of Marcus Landin (Kalida), a 2017 Industrial Mechanics
graduate, who passed away suddenly due to a
heart disease known as Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, his family established The
Marcus Landin Memorial Gift of tools. The recipient this year was Nolan German
(Ottoville).
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 awarded this scholarship have shown outstanding
achievement in their program area, while demonstrating initiative and
perseverance. This year, the Robert C. Stevens Scholarship was awarded to Wyatt
Richardson (Crestview), Kaylie Tressler (Paulding), and Emily Wentland
(Antwerp). The Robert Brandt Scholarship was established in 2011 in memory of
Bob Brandt, the very first Vantage superintendent. This year’s scholarship was
awarded to Kalie Tressler (Paulding). Vantage Adult Education awards scholarships
to Vantage students furthering their education in a qualifying Adult Education
program. Vantage Criminal Justice students Thomas Holmes (Wayne Trace) and Ross
Lengacher (Antwerp) received the Vantage Police Academy Scholarship. UNOH
awarded Rachel Breese (Parkway), Kacey Denman (Lincolnview), Rieley Hannaman (Kalida),
and Nathan Shepherd (Wayne Trace) with scholarships.
Several other scholarship
recipients were also recognized during the virtual awards presentation. The Van
Wert Rotary Club awarded the Van Wert Rotary Scholarship to Shiann Kraft (Lincolnview).
Samantha Wagner (Paulding) and Emma Witten (Van Wert) achieved the American Red
Cross ARC High School scholarship. Rachel Breese (Parkway) earned the V.H. Cooper
Scholarship. Jasmine Contreraz (Van Wert) was recognized for earning two
Indiana Tech scholarships, the Achievement and Regional Awards. Angelina Haller
(Van Wert) received the Raider Excellence and WOEF Reynolds and Reynolds
Scholarships. Network Systems senior, Wyatt Richardson (Crestview), was an R.K.
Thompson finalist, and awarded the Dan Norris Memorial and Western Kentucky
University Academic Merit Scholarships. Great Clips gifted stylist supplies to
Cosmetology senior Tabitha Jones (Antwerp).
The Van Wert Elks
awarded Megan Garrity and Kaylie Tressler, both of Paulding, and Emma Witten (Van
Wert), the Elks Student of the Month, while Tressler earned the Elks Student of
the Year award.
In a special
presentation, Senior Carpentry student Mark Rice (Delphos Jefferson) was
awarded the Carpenters Local Union 372 Top Student Award by Mike Schulte,
Carpenters Union representative and Tim Gerkin, General Superintendent of
Miller Brothers Construction.
Lastly, all seniors
who earned the opportunity to compete at the state level in SkillsUSA, Future Farmers
of America (FFA), Family Career, Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), Business
Professionals of America (BPA), and Health Occupations Students of America
(HOSA), were recognized.
SkillsUSA:
Precision Machining, Evan Meyers, CNC Mill, Trevor Siefker, CNC Lathe, Jacob
Rose, CNC Technician; Carpentry, Mark Rice, Carpentry; Auto Body, Robert
Hobart, Collision Repair; Criminal Justice, Violet Taylor, Extemporaneous
Speaking; Construction Equipment Technology, Brendan Karl and Darick Stachler,
Heavy Equipment Operations, and Thomas Calvelage, Masonry; Welding Jacksyn
Nichols, Welding, Tanner Mathewson, John Pseekos, and MaKenna Suever, Welding
Fabrication, and Zoe Gile, Welding Sculpture.
HOSA; Medical
Office Management, Rachel Breese; Health Technology, Emma Zielke and Chloe
Kunkleman.
BPA; Interactive
Media, Christian Baldwin, Gage Dickman, Angel Haller, and Leia Verhoff; Network
Systems; Virginia Brotherwood, Rieley Hanneman, Andrew Johns, Zander Newman,
Kane Plescher, and Gage Smith.
FCCLA; Early
Childhood Education, Rachael Beair, Katelyn Stevenson, Claudia Sheaks, Reagan
Akom, Kali Reel, Yasmine Castillo, Libby Wenzlick, Ellie Wolf; Culinary Arts, Jayde
Garcia and Morgan Smith.
CONGRATULATIONS
to the Vantage Career Center class of 2020! Welcome to the Vantage Alumni
Family!