{"id":50892,"date":"2026-04-20T18:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T22:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.westbendnews.net\/autonews\/?p=50892"},"modified":"2026-04-19T10:10:41","modified_gmt":"2026-04-19T14:10:41","slug":"vantage-career-center-inducts-two-alumni-hall-of-fame-members","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.westbendnews.net\/autonews\/vantage-career-center-inducts-two-alumni-hall-of-fame-members\/","title":{"rendered":"Vantage Career Center Inducts Two Alumni Hall of Fame Members"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"
Pictured left to right, Alumni Hall of Fame Inductees, Les Bowen and Marcia Osenga.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Van Wert, Ohio \u2014 Vantage Career Center proudly honored two exceptional alumni on Thursday, April 9, 2026, during its annual All Boards Dinner, inducting them into the Vantage Alumni Hall of Fame. The evening celebrated the achievements, dedication, and lasting impact of Les Bowen and Marcia Osenga.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Les Bowen, a 1982 graduate of the Building and Industrial Maintenance program from Lincolnview Local Schools, has built a successful career as the owner and operator of Elite Mechanical & Plumbing and Elite Drone Services. Through his entrepreneurial leadership and dedication to the skilled trades, he exemplifies the real-world impact of hands-on training and technical expertise. He also gives back to the community through his drone services, using his skills to support local needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marcia Osenga, a 1979 graduate of the Early Childhood Education program from Van Wert High School, devoted more than 30 years to education, including an impressive 31-year career at Vantage Career Center. Throughout her time in the classroom, Osenga made a lasting difference in the lives of her students, helping them build confidence, earn industry credentials, and prepare for meaningful careers. Her passion for education and service continues to positively impact the community today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the ceremony, both inductees were presented with official commendations from the Ohio House of Representatives by Vantage alumnus, Hall of Fame member, and State Representative Roy Klopfenstein. Superintendent Rick Turner also presented each inductee with their official Vantage Alumni Hall of Fame plaques. The inductees were also recognized with remarks shared by Vantage Career Center Director, Ben Winans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Vantage Alumni Hall of Fame recognizes graduates who have demonstrated outstanding career success, leadership, and service, while reflecting the mission of Vantage Career Center\u2014preparing students for both employment and continued education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more information about Vantage Career Center and its programs, visit
www.vantagecareercenter.com.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Van Wert, Ohio \u2014 Vantage Career Center proudly honored two exceptional alumni on Thursday, April 9, 2026, during its annual<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":50893,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"colormag_page_container_layout":"default_layout","colormag_page_sidebar_layout":"default_layout","nf_dc_page":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[6,7],"tags":[12242,28752,9852,28750,11894,28751,6581,3180],"class_list":["post-50892","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","category-school","tag-alumni-hall-of-fame","tag-building-and-industrial-maintenance","tag-early-childhood-education","tag-les-bowen","tag-lincolnview-high-school","tag-marcia-osenga","tag-van-wert-high-school","tag-vantage-career-center"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t