Paulding, Ohio- Paulding County Hospital gives back to all three area schools. Antwerp, Paulding and Wayne Trace schools all received a donation to their athletic departments from Paulding County Hospital this past week. 

Paulding County Hospital offered sports physicals to local athletes during the school day at the end of the previous school year. Sports physicals were performed at all three county schools by Paulding County Hospital providers and staff. With the approval of administration and the Board, Paulding County Hospital was able to donate every dollar collected for the sports physicals performed back to each school’s athletic department. 

Participating in school-related sports is a great way for youth to stay fit, have fun, all while developing school and community spirit. Paulding County Hospital was happy to be able to play a role in this process and give back to these worthy programs. 

Vantage Career Center Adult Education celebrated nine Practical Nursing graduates during its 2026 graduation and pinning ceremony on August 13, recognizing a class marked by academic achievement, dedication and compassion.

The Class of 2026 included Alana Beebe, Kyla Carder, Andrea Fletter, Dreama Hampton, Salasia Lipsey, Kenyota Pickett, Victoria Quiroz, Joann Ruan and Hailey Smith. Each graduate completed Vantage’s rigorous 1,318-hour Practical Nursing Program, which combines classroom instruction, hands-on lab training and clinical experiences.

Among the graduates, Alana Beebe made Vantage history as the first student to begin the PNP PREP pathway while in high school and go on to complete the Practical Nursing Program. PN PREP allows students to begin their nursing education while still in high school and continue their training through Vantage Adult Education.

The entire class also reached an impressive academic benchmark: every graduate earned an Exit HESI score equivalent to passing the NCLEX examination. HESI exams use NCLEX-style questions to evaluate students’ nursing knowledge and readiness for the licensure exam.

“The 2026 Practical Nursing graduates have accomplished so much throughout their time at Vantage,” said Erin Askins. “They excelled in their knowledge, skills, confidence and compassion, and their hard work, dedication and commitment to learning truly showed. To have every student achieve an Exit HESI score equivalent to passing the NCLEX is an incredible accomplishment for this class.”

Individual HESI honors went to Joann Ruan, who earned the highest Fundamentals of Nursing score; Hailey Smith, who earned the highest Pediatric, Medical-Surgical and Exit scores; and Dreama Hampton, who earned the highest Maternity and Pharmacology scores. Hampton’s Pharmacology score was the highest recorded in Vantage’s Practical Nursing Program to date.

Graduates were also recognized with Nursing Excellence Awards. Kenyota Pickett received Outstanding Motivation, Determination and Hard Work; Hailey Smith, Outstanding Learning and Education; Salasia Lipsey, Outstanding Patient Advocate; Victoria Quiroz, Outstanding Leadership; Kyla Carder, Outstanding Clinical Confidence; Alana Beebe, Outstanding Heart of Nursing; and Andrea Fletter,

Quiroz received an additional distinction for perfect attendance, completing all 1,318 hours without missing a single minute of class, lab or clinical training.

With their training complete, the graduates will take the next step toward becoming Licensed Practical Nurses as they prepare for the NCLEX. Vantage Career Center congratulates the Class of 2026 and wishes each graduate continued success in the nursing profession.

To learn more about the Practical Nursing Program and other career-training opportunities available through Vantage Career Center Adult Education, visit the Vantage Adult Education programs webpage or call 419-238-5411, ext. 2166.

Defiance Christian Academy (DCA) officially opened its doors for its first day of school, welcoming 30 students as the new Christian school begins its inaugural year.

DCA is beginning the school year with four teachers serving students in kindergarten through sixth grade. The academy is utilizing combined classrooms as it begins its first year of operation.

Representatives from the Center for Christian Virtue in Columbus and its Ohio Christian Education Network were on hand to help celebrate the school’s opening. DCA has developed a relationship with the organizations as it worked toward establishing the new school.

Students, teachers, board members and the school’s principal joined representatives from the Ohio Christian Education Network and Center for Christian Virtue for a photo commemorating the academy’s first day.

Another visible sign of the school’s arrival in the community is a new DCA sign that has been installed along Standley Road at the entrance to the Defiance Christian Church parking lot. 

Although classes have begun, enrollment at Defiance Christian Academy remains open for the 2026-27 school year.

School officials said DCA has been able to make its first year more affordable for families through the support of numerous donors and grants. “Founding Families,” consisting of families enrolling during the academy’s first year, will have the vast majority of their first-semester fees covered through those donations and grants.

For most families, school officials anticipate second-semester costs will be covered through Ohio’s EdChoice Scholarship Program.

DCA continues to welcome families interested in enrolling students in kindergarten through sixth grade as the academy begins its first year serving the Defiance area.

Mr. Robert Berkley is the new assitant principal at New Haven High School. Berkley is beginning his eighth year with East Allen County Schools and said he is excited to take on his new role while becoming part of the New Haven community. He said the opportunity will allow him to continue supporting students while helping build a strong pathway for their success.

Berkley said one of the things he enjoys most about education is watching students grow and seeing the moment when a concept clicks, their confidence increases or they recognize their own potential.

He also expressed enthusiasm for joining New Haven, describing the community’s energy as “infectious.” Looking ahead, Berkley said his goal is to build strong relationships, create opportunities and help empower every student to reach his or her full potential.

Diane Dikeolakos is a new assistant principal at New Haven Jr/Sr High School. Dikeolakos begins the new position as she starts her 29th year in education. Ten of those years have been spent with East Allen County Schools.

She said she is grateful for the opportunity to join the New Haven High School community and looks forward to building on the positive momentum already taking place within the school.

Veronica Wilson is the new assistant principal and athletic director at Woodlan Jr/Sr High School. Wilson is entering her 13th year in education, her fifth year as an administrator and her eighth year with East Allen County Schools. She said she is excited to begin a new chapter at Woodlan and looks forward to supporting student-athletes, families, staff and the community.

In her new position, Wilson hopes to help create opportunities for students to succeed both in the classroom and through athletics.

Adam Smith is the new administrative intern at New Haven Intermediate School. Smith has been with East Allen County Schools for the past six years and said he is excited for the opportunity to support the school’s teachers and staff in his new position.

“I’m looking forward to supporting our teachers and staff in any way I can so that, together, we can provide our students with the best education possible,” Smith said.

St. John Lutheran Church, 812 East High Street, Hicksville, had their Annual Blessing of Backpacks for students, teachers and school employees during a recent worship service.

Minister Alex Heffelfinger blessed the group with a beautiful prayer. The six teachers present were presented with a bouquet from the altar flowers. There was approximately nine different educational systems represented. The prayer also included all students and teachers as they begin their new school year.

By: Ron Burt

Friday August 7, Limaland Motorsports Park closed 2026 with Invitational and King of the Quarter Mile races and passed out season points awards, as drivers, crews and fans celebrated. Unfortunately, it was a short season because of several weather cancellations.

In the UMP Modified Division, a pair of Warsaw Indiana drivers split the wins. Dylan Woodling won the invitational race, and Dillon Nusbaum dominated the King of the Quarter Mile race. Thunderstock driver, Jordan Conover doubled up, winning the invitational feature and King of the Quarter Mile race, wrapping up his first Championship season. Chris Hick in the Dirt Track Truck Series also won the invitational feature and King of the Quarter Mile races. UMP Modified Champion, Shane O’Connor was named Sportsman of the Year, then gave a tearful racing retirement speech to the fans and fellow drivers. 

Saturday, August 8, Oakshade Raceway Wauseon Ohio-I helped with the track announcing duties. The DIRTcar Late Models were the featured class. Twenty cars qualified. Sylvania’s Casey Noonan picked up his first DIRTcar UMP Late Model win of the season. Noonan extended his slim point lead over Steve Kester to eight points with just two championship races remaining. Other Feature Winners, Late Model Sportsmen Dylan Jessen, Dominator Stocks Josh McNicol and Sport Compacts Ryan Okuley.

The Great Lakes 360 Super Sprints were at I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa, MI on Friday. 24 cars registered and all ended up in the Feature. Leipsic’s Chase Dunham currently 2nd in points set the fast time 14.257. Max Stambaugh started on the pole and led most of the race until lap 24, when Zane DeVault made a pass on the leader and parked his car in Victory Lane for 4th time in 2026.

Feature Winners from Saturday around the Tri-State:

Fremont Speedway: 410 Winged Sprints Craig Mintz, Fremont Dirt Trucks Dave Golembiewski and 305 Winged Sprints Bryan Sebetto.

Flat Rock Speedway: Outlaw 350 Supermodified Keegan Weese, Street Stock Douglas Litogot, and Factory Stocks 500 Series Kyle Metdepenningen.

Montpelier Speedway: 410 Non-winged Sprints Zack Pretorius, USAC D2 Thunder Midgets Luke Hall, and UMP Modifieds Jordan Wever. 

Butler Motor Speedway, American Late Model Iron Man Series Rusty Schlenk $5000.00 Feature win 305 in his career.

The Great Lakes Super Sprints, traveled to Silver Bullet Speedway in Owendale MI. It’s the state’s oldest Stock Car Track but Saturday the Sprints ruled and Zane DeVault picked up his 2nd Feature win in two nights.

Sunday, August 9, Toledo Ohio-The Supermodifieds returned to the high banks of Toledo Speedway. This time it wasn’t the ISMA MSS methanol powered big blocks, but the smaller gas powered Outlaw 350 Supermodified Sprint Series machines, and they put on a great show for the fans. AJ Lesiecki brought home the hardware and the big payday for his feature win. Chase Pinsonneault won the CRA Pro Series, House of Meats 100 for the Late Models. Mike Young was victorious in the Late Model Sportsman Division and Josh Bunting won the Factory Stock A-Main. 

Next week I will be covering events from the Knoxville Nationals for the 410 Outlaw Winged Sprints. Until then, keep your wheels down. Ron Out! www.facebook.com/ohiosportsblitz 

New teachers at Paulding Exempted Village Schools are pictured above (l-r): Christine Spencer – Oakwood Elementary School Intervention Specialist; Alyssa Taylor – Paulding JH Intervention Specialist; Sydney Kill – Paulding JH/HS Ag Education; Jessica Riggs – Paulding 7th Grade Writing; Megan Hahn – Paulding 8th Grade Social Studies; Brady Karzynow – Paulding Elemenary School 4th Grade; Andrew Hoeffel – Paulding HS Social Studies; and Tyler Hines – Paulding JH Intervention Specialist.

The Oakwood Elementary PTO helped students kick off the new school year with some high-flying fun during its 2^nd Annual Bounce Bash, held in conjunction with the school’s Open House on Thursday August 13, 2026.

Students who attended the Open House festivities inside the school were given a ticket to enjoy the Bounce Bash, adding a little extra excitement to the evening as students and families prepared for the start of another school year.

Oakwood Elementary staff members also joined in the fun, celebrating as they “bounced” into the new school year together.

Through a generous grant from the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation and Fund for Teachers and the National Consortium for Teaching about Asia, Wayne Trace Art and STEAM teacher Angie Miesle Stokes spent four weeks traveling through six countries in Europe and East Asia on an investigation of the ways in which botanical imagery has been used in art and architecture. Through this comparative cultural examination of the historical symbolism in the use of plant life across two continents, she was able to make several key connections across time and place while studying a wide variety of artistic forms and media. This research is now being used to develop cross-curricular units that can be used in a variety of classroom settings, including Angie’s own classes at Wayne Trace.

Angie focused by selecting six key sites, three in Europe and three in Asia, to begin her exploration. While many people may overlook the simple use of an apple or lotus flowers, politicians, the religious, and royalty have often used paintings and sculptures of fruits and flowers as symbols of their power and authority. Through the hands of many architects and  artists, these symbols have made visual the purpose of these places, reminding visitors of the values of the people who have lived in those spaces over the centuries as well as being a demonstration of geography, resources, wealth, connections, and aesthetic tastes.

Angie looks forward to taking these specific examples, and many more from her summer fellowship, into the classroom as a way to enhance her students’ understanding of the form, function, materials, and historical context of art while inspiring them to think more deeply as they create their own works whether they are using traditional methods of drawing and painting in the studio or high tech visuals and sculptures the STEAM center.

These students will be sharing their work at both the high school’s Fall Fine Arts Festival and the district’s annual spring art show in addition to exhibiting at a number of regional shows throughout the school year.

For many Ohioans, “back to school” no longer means a traditional college experience. As students head to campus and classrooms this fall, Northwest State Community College is highlighting the innovative ways that community colleges are helping learners of all ages gain new skills, earn valuable credentials, and prepare for in-demand careers in Ohio’s rapidly evolving economy.

More than ever, community colleges are built for today’s students and today’s economy, said Dr. Todd Hernandez, NSCC President. 

“Whether someone is just beginning college, returning to school to advance their career, or learning new skills for an entirely different field, we provide affordable, flexible, and workforce-focused pathways that help students move forward quickly,” Hernandez said.

Each year, Ohio’s 22 community colleges serve approximately 250,000 students, including high school students earning college credit through Ohio’s College Credit Plus program, recent high school graduates, working adults, veterans, career changers, and adults seeking short-term training to quickly gain new skills or advance in their careers.

Students are learning online, on campus, and even at work through flexible programs designed to fit busy lives and changing career goals. Students may be earning a short-term certificate, an associate degree, or even a bachelor’s degree in an applied field while balancing jobs and family responsibilities.

For many students, “back to school” begins while they are still in high school. Through Ohio’s College Credit Plus program, students can earn college credits tuition-free and, in some cases, even complete an associate degree before graduating from high school. More than 60,000 Ohio students participate in College Credit Plus annually through Ohio’s community colleges.

For traditional college students, community colleges also provide affordable pathways to bachelor’s degrees through “2+2” and “3+1” transfer agreements with four-year institutions, allowing students to complete a significant portion of their education at lower cost before transferring to a university.

At the same time, Ohio’s community colleges are seeing strong demand from working adults and career changers looking to “upskill” or pivot into new industries. Programs in healthcare, advanced manufacturing, information technology, logistics, engineering technologies, and the skilled trades are increasingly aligned with Ohio’s growing 21st-century economy and workforce needs.

Ohio’s community colleges are more important than ever as the transformation of the state’s economy continues, said Avi Zaffini, president and CEO of the Ohio Association of Community Colleges.

“As Ohio’s economy evolves and new technology-driven industries continue to grow, community colleges are helping students and employers adapt together,” Zaffini said. “Our colleges are Ohio’s top workforce partner and the best value in higher education because they offer connected, flexible, and affordable education aligned directly with employer needs.”

More than 1,000 employer partnerships across Ohio help guide program development and create opportunities for internships, apprenticeships, and work-based learning experiences that connect students directly to jobs, Zaffini added.

For many students, “back to school” does not mean stepping away from work. Through work-based learning and earn-and-learn partnerships, students can gain classroom instruction while also earning income and building real-world experience with employers in their chosen fields.

Before the fall term begins, Northwest State will hold orientation programs to help students prepare for classes, connect with campus resources, and start the semester with confidence.

Throughout the fall semester, Northwest State will also host student welcome events, career exploration opportunities, and additional activities designed to support student success and connect learners with new opportunities.

To learn more about programs at Northwest State Community College, visit NorthwestState.edu.