Each month Paulding Junior High School teachers select one Student of the Month per grade level. These students are recognized for being some of the top academic performers at Paulding Junior High School. Shown above are (from left) Mackenzie Reilly (Grade 6), Kyra Aldred (Grade 7), and Ella Zimmerman (Grade 8).

The Paulding County Retired Teachers Association recently awarded a scholarship to a Paulding County high school senior planning to enter the field of education.

Zaine McMichael, the son of Scott and Courtenay McMichael, received a $350 scholarship . Zaine will graduate from Antwerp High School and plans to attend Wilmington College where he will major in Health and Physical Education. 

Once again, most racetracks were forced to cancel last weekend’s events. Some tracks were too wet and waterlogged and other speedways closed because the cooler temps would be uncomfortable for race teams and fans. Two tracks decided to brave the weather and fans flocked to both.

Eldora Speedway opened their 2026 season last Saturday with Family Fun Night and fireworks. Headlining the first night was the USAC Midwest D2 Thunder Midgets. 26 cars checked into the track and all 26 made the feature. Luke Hall drove his #74 into victory lane, with Bryce Massingill and Drew Rader making the podium. Due to weather no qualifying heats were ran. Eldora and USAC decided to have two shootouts with 13 cars in both. Matt Lux and Bryce Massingill were the shootout winners. Bryce Massingill was Quick Time!! Fast qualifier with a 17.810, edging Matt Lux by 0.08 sec. The USAC Thunder Midgets will be back at it at Limaland Motorsports Park, this Friday, May 8th for the annual Mike Streicher Memorial Race. It will also be opening night for the speedway.

Rob Trent won the Eldora Stock Car Feature and Jonathan Taylor took the trophy in the Modified class.

Some of our area asphalt race fans took the trip north of Toledo for opening night at Flat Rock Speedway and witnessed two track records set. Cool temps helped all the drivers reach maximum speeds around the semi banked oval. Jonathan Rangel set a new track record in the Street Stock division fast time qualifying, putting together a lap time of 12.742 seconds and just taking Stevie Cronenwett Jr’s single-lap record in the process. Avery Vanderhoof set a new track record in Figure 8 division fast time qualifying, putting together a lap time of 20.113 seconds and besting Dennis Whisman Jr’s single-lap record of 20.202 seconds from 2025 in the process.

Three classes of cars opened the 2026 season Outlaw Super Late Models, Figure 8’s and Street Stocks. Brian Bergakker had several challenges during the Super Late Model Feature but was able to hang on for the win. Scott Hantz and Paul Pelletier made the podium in victory lane. Greg Studt showed why he’s an ace in the Street Stock division, adding another win to his resume. Jonny Rangel finished 2nd and Landon Schuster 3rd. One of the big crowd draws at Flat Rock Speedway is the Figure 8’s. Fan’s hold their breath as cars avoid meeting in the middle of the track and passing each other by inches. The ones that don’t end up on wrecker hooks. Tonight was a good night for the drivers, cars, and sheet metal. Record setter, Avery Vanderhoof held his own but couldn’t reel in the winner Billy Earley. Travis Earley came in second and Vanderhoof was 3rd.

If the weather holds, many area tracks will open in the next two weeks. Make sure you check your tracks Facebook or web page and make sure they’re racing before heading out. Keep your wheels down. Ron out! www.facebook.com/ohiosportsblitz

Each month Paulding Junior High School teachers select one Positive Panther per grade level. These students are recognized for the positive character traits they exhibit as students of Paulding Junior High School. Shown above are (from left) Melissa Ramirez Cortes (Grade 7), Beka Mericle (Grade 6), and Piper Pease (Grade 8).

ARCHBOLD, OHIO – Two Northwest State Community College students have been named to the 2025-2026 All-Ohio Academic Team. Brady Clark (Defiance) and Seth Hathaway (Deshler) were named to the All-Ohio Academic Third Team, placing them among the top thirty community college students in the state. The students were honored at a recognition luncheon on April 23rd at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus.

“We are proud of the accomplishments of Brady and Seth,” said Dr. Lana Snider, Vice President for Academics at Northwest State. “They have set tremendous examples in the classroom and in their community.” Snider also praised NSCC faculty and staff for their ongoing contributions to student success.

ABOUT THE STUDENTS

Clark is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and will graduate in the Summer of 2026 with an Associate of Applied Business in Logistics and Supply Chain Management. He plans to transfer to The University of Toledo to pursue a Bachelors of Business Administration in Operations and Supply Chain Management. Clark is currently employed with APA Solar as a Logistics Coordinator.

Hathaway is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and will graduate in the Fall of 2026 with a Programmable Logic Controller Certificate. He plans to transfer to Miami University to complete a Bachelor of Science in Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology.

Per the Ohio Association of Community Colleges (OACC), the All-Ohio Academic Team program is a collaboration among the OACC, the Phi Theta Kappa honor society, and event sponsors Honda, KeyBank, and Franklin University.

Congratulations to Temple of Praise for receiving a $1,000 grant in April from Defiance Moose Lodge #2094 who holds a fund under the umbrella of the Defiance Area Foundation. This grant will be used for their Food Pantry in Defiance County.

Pictured with the grant check are Ruben Laguna, Reverend of Temple of Praise and Audrey Lynn Roth, Chaplain of Defiance Moose Lodge.

Written by Anna Gurney, Outreach and Education Specialist, Paulding SWCD

Paulding, OH — On Tuesday, May 28th, the Paulding Soil and Water Conservation District teamed up with Paulding FFA students, and program advisors, Mrs. Staci Miller & Ms. Baylee March, to bring an interactive tree education program to Paulding Elementary second graders. Sixty-five students spent the time rotating through three hands-on learning stations designed to help them understand the parts of a tree, what trees need to grow, and why trees play such an important role in the environment.

Students learned by doing — and by becoming trees themselves. In one engaging activity, children acted out the life of a tree, competing for sunlight, water, and nutrients in a fast-paced game that brought science concepts to life. They also decorated their own tree-themed carrying bags and planted a Norway spruce seedling, donated by Paulding SWCD, in a cup to take home with them.

The program reflects Paulding SWCD’s mission to provide fun, meaningful natural resource education for students of all ages. The partnership with Paulding FFA students added an extra layer of impact, giving high school students the chance to lead activities, guide younger learners, and model stewardship.

“Watching the older students step into leadership roles and connect with the second graders was both encouraging and rewarding,” shared Anna Gurney, Paulding SWCD Outreach and Education Specialist. “It’s exciting to see students of different ages learning together and building appreciation for the natural world.”

The program continues Paulding SWCD’s commitment to conservation education and community collaboration, helping young learners grow their understanding of the environment — one student and one tree at a time.

Payne Elementary Student’s of the Month for April.  These students were chosen for demonstrating the character value ‘Perseverance’. Picture above are (front row) Willow Cubbage, Colton Linder, Paisley Couts, Adryan Shaw, Benson Hitchcock, Manuel Negrete Pawoli, Charlie Hartzler, Cattleya Carmona Molina, Waylon Stoller, Monroe Taylor, and Thea Keys; (back row) Peyton Osbun, Kailynn Blankenship, Laylah Robertson, Natalie Zartman, Evander Neff, Dylainee Carr, Bryleigh Wieland, Raylynn Gerardot, Landon Sherry, and Gabriel DeWaard. Not Pictured:  Brea Moore.

The Defiance Area Foundation is pleased to announce that Collins and Guilford Wealth Advisors, LLC has returned as a Bronze Sponsor for the 2026 Gala with a $2,000 contribution.

Now in their second year of sponsorship, their continued support helps make the annual Gala possible while contributing to the growth of the Defiance County Community Fund. This fund provides grants to local nonprofits, schools, and community organizations working to meet the needs of Defiance County.

The Gala, scheduled for October 3, 2026, brings community members together in support of local philanthropy and long-term impact.

The Defiance Area Foundation extends its sincere appreciation to Collins and Guilford Wealth Advisors, LLC for their continued partnership and commitment to the community.

John Paulding VFW Post 587 is hosting their annual Memorial Day Ceremony at Live Oak Cemetery in Paulding, Ohio, on Monday, May 25, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. This community event honors fallen service members and will feature Captain Guy Dennis Gruters as the guest speaker.

Captain Guy Dennis Gruters was a United States Air Force o icer and fighter pilot best known for his survival for over five years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. He was one of the five hundred and ninety-one surviving POWs of all military services released in 1973 for return to the United States during Operation Homecoming.

Captain Gruters’ decorations include more than thirty combat awards, with two Silver Stars, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Purple Hearts, three Bronze Star Medals for Valor, the POW Medal, a Presidential Unit Citation, over 20 Air Medals and other medals.