MEDINA, Ohio -- At its May meeting, the Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities announced the name of this year's recipient of the 2018 MCBDD Donor Scholarship.
The scholarship, which is awarded by the Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities' Donated Funds Committee, was founded to support young people pursuing a career that serves individuals who have developmental disabilities.
This year's recipient has already shown a dedication to touching the lives of individuals who have disabilities, and the MCBDD recognized the contributions of her outstanding service.
The 2018 MCBDD $1,000 Donor Scholarship recipient is Brenna Sherman, a senior at Medina High School, who has spent time learning and giving to the field of developmental disabilities through an organization called Young Life. This outreach program is specifically geared to providing opportunities for young people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities the chance to experience fun and adventure, to develop fulfilling friendships and to challenge their limits while building self-esteem through club, camp and other exciting activities.
Through this program, Brenna has volunteered at day camps, proms and other events and social gatherings. All of this has solidified her desire to work with the special-needs population.
Besides her involvement with Young Life, Brenna has been a member of the Medina High School tennis and volleyball teams. She is a member of the American Sign Language Club at Medina High School and has used her skills to help customers with hearing challenges as part of her job as a hostess at a local restaurant. She is involved in other outreach opportunities through her church that allow her to help local senior citizens and families.
In the fall, Brenna plans to attend Bowling Green State University, where she hopes to complete a degree in special education with a minor in sign language. She would like to one day become a teacher with an interest in helping children in third world countries.
New physicians, pharmacists graduate: On May 19, Northeast Ohio Medical University conferred 221 degrees upon Ohio's newest physicians, pharmacists and other health professionals. Among the graduates were:
Chalon Fike and Christopher Spolarich of Medina, as well as Markus Buchfellner of Brunswick, who each earned a Doctor of Medicine from NEOMED's College of Medicine; and Kristen Neuhaus and Sean Owens of Brunswick, who earned Doctor of Pharmacy degrees from NEOMED's College of Pharmacy.
Call for help: Cindie Schneider is serving on the Board of Brunswick Productions Inc., which puts on the annual Brunswick Summer Celebration. In years past, many people have volunteered two hours or more to cover the admission booths during the festival.
In exchange for doing this, BP will make a donation to the HANDS Foundation (dedicated to helping improve the quality of life for Medina County seniors) and The BEAT (an award-winning program that gives sixth- through 12th-grade students the opportunity to be backpack journalists).
The festival runs from June 20-24. The task involves collecting money at the admission gate. The time goes by quickly, and the booths are air conditioned. You would work in pairs in two-hour slots. Please feel free to invite family and friends (18 and older, please). For more information, email Cindie at cindieschneider@aol.com.
Speaking of volunteers: One of the busiest of our local volunteers -- and a businesswoman to boot -- Lori Betz of GTB Medical Service Inc., is being honored as Citizen of the Year at this year's event.
Ashland dean's list students named: Local students on the Ashland University Dean's List include Medina area residents Dani McBride, Christine Jenkinson, Justin Libertowski, Kassandra Blackburn, Rachel Haoui, Kristine Blackburn, Nicholas Pankow, Zhane Scott, Eric Breeden, Kyle Hutchinson, Dennis Lally, Erika Cover, Tyler Andrew, Rachel Piero, Ashley Pavlescak, Erika Grumbach, Sarah Van Wagnen, Jessica Dutko, Leanne Prandi, Kimberly Vidika, Maria Cirincione, Kyle Wissel, Stephanie Sorrell, Steven Short, Ellissa Chambliss, Natasha Arnold and Samantha Gross.
From the Brunswick-Hinckley area: Brittany Close, Nicholas Bloxsom, Steven Shrenkel, Jacob Bloxsom, Christina Ferra, Alexandra DiPaolo, Jared Pflaum, Rebekah Hunter, Jarrett Siurek, Nicholas Zak and Alexandra Groh.
Residents named to Project Dragonfly: Brunswick resident Sara Bauer was recently accepted into the Global Field Program and will be taking classes toward a Master of Arts in Teaching degree in the biological sciences from Miami University through Project Dragonfly.
Because coursework for Project Dragonfly's GFP occurs on the web and at field sites internationally, students live throughout the country and world. As a first-year GFP student, Bauer will complete web-based courses exploring biodiversity, conservation science and community, and the relationship of biology with technology.
In summer 2018, Bauer will also travel to Belize to study coral reefs, manatees, howler monkeys, jaguars and other wildlife while learning the methods communities are using to sustain them.
Bauer currently is a seventh-grade science and social studies teacher at Edwards Middle School in Brunswick.
Brunswick resident Joshua Jeffi was recently accepted into the Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) and will be taking classes toward a master of arts degree in biology from Miami University through Project Dragonfly. As a first-year AIP student, Jeffi will complete web-based courses from Miami University, with face-to-face experiential learning and field study through Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.
Jeffi works as an operator and field technician for Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District.
SOS for animals: Save Ohio Strays will hold its biggest fundraiser of the year -- its 11th annual golf outing -- on July 28 at a new venue, Ironwood Golf Course, 445 State Road, Hinckley. Registration starts at 10 a.m. at Putt-for-Paws, and the cost is $85. That gets you a cart, a full 18 holes of golf, lunch, dinner and all the cold beverages you want!
The organization really needs golfers and sponsors to make this happen and to save the lives of abused and abandoned pets. Save Ohio Strays (SOS) is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that has saved over 3,600 animals since its inception in January 2005.
If you have something you want to donate (like a gift basket or gift certificate), call Theresa at 330-723-7433. For more information, go to the SOS Facebook page facebook.com/saveohiostrays.
News from BW: Hannah Stein (Medina/Highland High School) is one of three Baldwin Wallace University women's lacrosse student-athletes to be named to the Academic All-Ohio Athletic Conference team.
Jacob Smith (Medina/Medina Senior High School) is one of nine Baldwin Wallace University baseball student-athletes to be named to the Academic All-Ohio Athletic Conference team.
Roger Boyer (Medina/Brunswick High School) is one of three Baldwin Wallace University men's tennis student-athletes to be named to the Academic All-Ohio Athletic Conference team.
Kaitlyn Blake of Medina was inducted into the Baldwin Wallace University French Recognition Society in the spring 2018 semester. Blake, a graduate of Medina Senior High School, shared the honor with six other students
MCCC students win scholarships: Medina County Career Center Key Club members receive scholarships from the Medina Breakfast Kiwanis Club, the sponsor of the Key Club. Kristiana Davis and Makaela Kuhar received the honors.
Kristiana's scholarship for $350 was for the most community service hours -- she was in charge of the Thirst Project, in which $3,850 was raised. She coordinated a Thirst Project Walk-a-Thon, sold T-shirts and necklaces, and did a Tape a Teacher to the Wall Fundraiser.
Makaela's scholarship was the Medina Breakfast Kiwanis Scholarship for $500. She also helped with the Thirst project and, with Kristiana, attended the Thirst Project annual meeting in Los Angeles, Calif.
Also, thanks to the Breakfast Kiwanis Club, two juniors -- Whitney Wilson (junior Key Club president) and Cathryne Blackburn -- will be going to the Key Club International Conference in Chicago in July.
YSU awards degrees: Leegan Vorndran of Medina was one of nearly 1,300 students awarded undergraduate and advanced degrees and certificates at Youngstown State University's Spring Commencement recently. Vorndran earned a bachelor of science in business administration and a certificate in leadership.
Kristen Day and Bethany Ozanich of Brunswick also graduated. Day was awarded a bachelor of science in business administration in advertising and public relations; Ozanich earned a bachelor of science in applied science in hospitality management and a certificate in leadership.
Boomhower grants announced: The Medina County Retired Teacher Association, after thoughtful and careful review of the Boomhower Grant applications for the 2018-2019 school year, has chosen the following teachers to receive $200 each to help implement their great ideas:
Neil Rainey, Cloverleaf High School/Cloverleaf Local, "Reading Workshop;" Debra Marshall, Applewood Elementary/Brunswick City, "Caring Kids-Connecting Kids;" Abby Elliot, Wadsworth High School/Wadsworth City, "Rockin' for Reading, Writing and Arithmetic;" Kristy Piper, C.R. Towslee Elementary/ Brunswick City, "Rhythmically Moving and Teaching Culture through Folk Dancing;" and Joan Zacharias, Granger Elementary/Highland Local, "Chalk Ceiling Tiles."
Grant Committee members were Lin Crane, chair; Marilyn Buckloh; Jeanne Bystricky; Lloyd Knudsen; and Dena Rising.
Fourth of July parade planned: It was a cold January in 1818 when Medina County gained enough population to form its first government. Accordingly, officials were elected and appointed. Commissioners, sheriff, coroner, judges and others began to govern.
In recognition of that founding, the county is celebrating its Bicentennial -- 1818 to 2018. Parades, celebrations and other activities are all invited to use a Bicentennial theme all across Medina County.
The Liverpool Township Historical Society is counting on its residents to use their imaginations during the July 4th parade, which has a Bicentennial theme. Floats, vehicles, bikes and trikes, animals and the like are all encouraged to enter the parade with imaginative decorations relating to this theme.
In planning your theme, think about what things looked like in 1818. Or during the Civil War, 1861-1865. Or perhaps 100 years ago, as World War I ended. Or anytime in between. And please spread the word to all who may enter the parade. Info at 330-483-3707.
Some resources and information about other events during the Bicentennial can be found at medinacounty200.com/.
Wittenberg grad named: Michael Kovack of Medina received a bachelor or arts in music education during Wittenberg University's 2018 Commencement exercises, which took place in picturesque Commencement Hollow.
John Carroll degrees earned: The new John Carroll University graduates from our area include Nicholas Baker of Medina, accountancy; Nina Carrino of Medina, business logistics; Jared Vidika of Medina, management; Kaleigh Wagner of Medina, sociology and criminology; Robert Beran of Brunswick, psychological science; Jonathan Dralle of Brunswick, marketing; Emily Kucia of Brunswick, education; Ian Kurela of Hinckley, finance; Corey McComas of Brunswick, psychological science; Allison McGreer of Brunswick, education; Clara Petkac of Hinckley, mathematics; Elizabeth Polomsky of Hinckley, communication and theatre arts; Noelle Saluan of Hinckley, communication and theatre arts; Shane Skuhrovec of Hinckley, business-MBA; and Christopher Titchenell of Brunswick, sociology and criminology.
Honor students at OWU: Ohio Wesleyan University has announced its 2018 spring semester Dean's List.
Honorees included Medina area residents Alyssa Acevedo, Michael Barr, Matt Burke, Kyle Rabung, Maia Virgei and Hannah Wargo, as well as Em Sutliff of Brunswick.
Volunteers needed: The call is out for volunteers to help with the July 5-6 festivities planned by the Friends of Medina Memorial Park and Pool. Volunteers are needed to work on site at its July 5 disc golf tournament and the "Rockin' the Park & Pool" party and picnic on July 6.
Volunteer opportunities include staffing activity areas, assisting with arts and crafts, and serving as hospitality guides throughout the park. To volunteer, contact Debra Hallock at 614-736-4266 or debralhallockphd@gmail.com.
You can see a detailed schedule at facebook.com/FriendsMMPP/.
In Brunswick, volunteers are also needed at Heritage Farm, where all the historic white buildings need to be scraped and painted. If you are a student seeking volunteer hours, you can contact brunswickareahistory@gmail.com to learn more about it.
Contact Boyer atsamboyersunnews@yahoo.com.