By Mary Jo Wilhelm

Awards of Distinction and scholarships highlighted the annual Awards Assembly at Vantage Career Center on Tuesday, May 13th. The entire student body, along with 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.
Special guest speakers at the assembly were seniors Tricia Utterback, a Business Information Technology student from Wayne Trace and Jeremy Ewing, a Precision Machining student from Van Wert. Tricia looked back on all the events and activities she was involved in during her  two  years  at  Vantage, and thanked staff members for their guidance. Jeremy’s message was about coming a long way in life and, although it hasn’t always been easy, the senior class of 2008 is ready to graduate. Both student speakers thanked their classmates and teachers for their 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: Calvin Sinn (Ag Diesel Mechanics), Johnathan Young (Auto Body Repair), Brady Hoersten (Auto Technology), Rusty Warnecke (Carpentry), Casey Dull (Cosmetology), Emily Erhart (Early Childhood Education), Cynthia Clellan (Food Careers), Tina Klopfenstein and Katie Lindeman (Health Careers), Joseph Gable (Industrial Mechanics), Cristy Branham (Interactive Media), Katie Diment (Medical Office Management) and Jeremy Ewing  (Precision Mach-ining).
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  Brady  Hoersten (Ottoville), Jessica Johns (Ft. Jennings) and Janine Link (Paulding).
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 Calvin Sinn an Ag Diesel student from Wayne Trace.
The Principal’s Award, a new award this year, was given to two senior students who made great strides during their junior and senior years at Vantage. Nina Anez, an Auto Body student from Van Wert and Thomas McMichael, a Precision Machining student from Paulding were the recipients of this award.
This year’s Central Mutual Black Inc. winner was Tricia Utterback, a Business Information Technology student from Wayne Trace. Casey Roop, a Health Careers senior from Van Wert was awarded the Van Wert Rotary scholarship. Andrea Sherry from Paulding was the recipient of the Ohio Board of Regents scholarship. All Vantage scholarship recipients were recognized at the Awards Assembly.
National skills contestants were also recognized during the assembly.  Business Professionals of America (BPA) national contestants were Shiyanne Hooke (Crestview) and Amanda Perry (Crestview). Rusty Warnecke (Ottoville) will be representing Vantage in the Cabinetmaking contest when he  competes  at  the SkillsUSA National Championships in Kansas City this summer. Joining  him  at  Nationals will be  Sam  Price  (Van  Wert) and Chris Vibbert (Van Wert) competing in the Mechatronics contest. Other students who participated in state contests were recognized, as well as National Technical Honor Society members, students receiving academic awards, perfect attendance awards, student ambassadors and Girls and Boys State delegates.