Vantage Career Center Honors 250 Graduates at 2026 Senior Awards Ceremony
Van wert, Ohio – Family, friends, and representatives from Vantage Career Center’s 13 associate school districts filled the Van Wert High School gymnasium on Monday, May 18, 2026, to celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2026 during the annual Senior Awards Ceremony. As the graduating class of Vantage Career Center’s 50th Anniversary year, the 250 seniors were recognized for their hard work, dedication, and accomplishments throughout their educational journey. Highlights of the ceremony included Awards of Distinction, special recognitions, and an impressive $843,143 awarded in scholarships, marking a memorable milestone year and reflecting the bright futures ahead for this exceptional graduating class.
The evening reflected the heart of the Vantage experience—celebrating growth, perseverance, and preparing students for life beyond the classroom. Student speaker Brooklyn King, an Early Childhood Education senior from Paulding, captured the spirit of the night in her address, reflecting on the impact Vantage had on her class and the future that lies ahead.
“The foundation we’ve built here will carry us forward, helping us make a difference wherever we go,” King shared. She also reminded her classmates that “we’re not just graduates—we’re the future leaders, creators, caregivers, and change-makers.” Her words reflected not only the journey of the Class of 2026, but also the legacy Vantage has built over the past 50 years, empowering students with the skills, confidence, and opportunities needed to succeed far beyond graduation.
Each year, one student from their career-technical program is selected to receive the prestigious “Award of Distinction,” recognizing exceptional leadership, academic excellence, skill mastery, and character. The 2026 recipients are:
Tyler Gurwell (Auto Collision); Cora Meyer (Ag & Industrial Power); Taten Long (Auto Technologies); Alex Groch (Carpentry); Macie Pugh (Cosmetology); Annelise Price (Early Childhood Education); Brady Thomsen (Electricity); Jayci Blue (Medical Assistant); Bela Fiedler (Health Technologies); Chase German (Industrial Mechanics); Xander Bartley (Network Systems); Luke Hoffman (Machining & Engineering Technologies); Careen Winans (Sports Exercise Therapy)
Special industry-sponsored presentations added to the excitement. Kennedy Manufacturing honored two students with high-performance tool chests: Luke Ray (Paulding) received a Machinist’s Rolling Tool Chest as the outstanding Precision Machining senior, and Chase German (Fort Jennings) received a Maintenance Rolling Tool Chest for excellence in Industrial Mechanics.
Numerous scholarships were awarded to students who demonstrated dedication, perseverance, and outstanding program achievement:
Robert C. Stevens Scholarship – Brooklyn Stone (Fort Jennings) and Annabelle Hoffman (Delphos Jefferson); Van Wert Rotary Scholarship – Felicia Martz (Van Wert); Robert Brandt Scholarship – Eric Reinhart (Wayne Trace) presented by Vantage Superintendent Rick Turner; Great Clips Scholarship – Lyla Clem (Antwerp); Marcus Landin Memorial Tool Award – Rhettik Bowers (Continental); Caden Meyer Scholarship – Bryson Pease (Paulding) and Tyler Hankinson (Paulding); Wyatt E. Davis Memorial Award – Careen Winans (Wayne Trace); Zachary J. Wood Scholarship – Landon Nagel (Van Wert); Robbie Seffernick Memorial Award (for a junior Welding student) – Oliver Kahle (Kalida)
In addition, 38 students were honored with National Technical Honor Society cords, reflecting their academic excellence and leadership, while five students celebrated a remarkable achievement of perfect attendance throughout the school year, including Hannah Vetter of Van Wert who had perfect attendance for the last two years.
The evening concluded with recognition of every student who received scholarships during their time at Vantage, totaling an astounding $843,143 awarded to support students’ post-secondary goals.
As the 250 members of the Class of 2026 begin the next chapter of their journeys through careers, college programs, apprenticeships, and military service, they leave Vantage equipped with the hands-on skills, knowledge, and experiences needed to succeed.
As the graduating class of Vantage Career Center’s 50th Anniversary year, they carry forward a legacy of excellence while representing the future of skilled professionals and leaders in their communities.
Congratulations to the Vantage Career Center Class of 2026 on this remarkable accomplishment and all that lies ahead.
Senior Academic Awards were presented to:
Mrs. Webster’s Functional English – Dominik Johnson; Mr. Unverferth’s US Military History – Cole English; Mr. Unverferth’s Financial Literarcy and Sports History – Dylan Schaefer; Mr. Putthoff’s Algerbra II part 2 – Maddisyn Pescosoldo; Ms. Oechsle’s Financial Literacy – Mavericj Grant; Ms. Oechsle’s Sociology – Henry “Hank” Walpole; Mrs. Yenser-Hammon’s English IV – Zaria Harter; Mr. McConahay’s English 12 – Cole English; Mrs. Hortsman’s Advanced Quantitative Reasoning – Griffin Kosch; Mr. Joyce’s Drones Part 107 – Corbin Sargent; Mrs. Reinhart’s English IV – Cole Miller; Mrs. Reinhart’s English IV – Delana Noggle; Mrs. Kistler’s Math-Geometry – Audrey Dougal; Mrs. Drerup’s Material Science – Zachary Hohlbein; Mrs. Evans’ English 12 – Annelise Price
