On Oct. 10, Robert Craig of Salisbury received the 2013 Richard Kinney Challenge of Living Award from The Hadley School for the Blind, a distance education school based in Winnetka, Ill. The Richard Kinney Award is given each year to a student with multiple disabilities who displays outstanding courage and educational initiative. Hadley has formally presented student awards for more than 50 years.
“I have always thought that a school is not bricks and mortar, but people and ideas,” Craig says. “This belief has been actualized through my experiences at Hadley.”
Craig learned about Hadley through a good friend and member of the Lion’s club. He found Hadley’s braille courses to be most helpful because they opened a new avenue of communication.
He also appreciates his instructors, all of whom went above and beyond, including his braille instructor, who encouraged him to pursue Hadley’s “Orientation and Mobility,” course, which, he says, “enhanced my independence in a sight-governed society.
“This award is the physical acknowledgement of an inner sense of accomplishment,” Craig adds. “It is so uplifting to know that others not only see but appreciate my efforts. I want people to know that the loss of one’s sight musn’t equate the loss of focus needed to achieve a well-rounded and fulfilled life.”
The Shawnee State University Honors Program held a Welcome Back Cookout on Sept. 14 on campus.
Jessica Erwin, of Salisbury, is in the SSU Honors Program. Shawnee State University has designed its Honors Program for students with exceptional academic ability and curiosity.
The cookout was the first in a series of events the Honors Program has lined up for this semester. SSU Honors students will participate in four community service-related events: two trips to Sierra’s Haven, Operation Christmas Child and Christmas caroling for the elderly.
Additionally, the students will attend panel discussions hosted by the Center for International Programs and Activities, a variety of field trips to art museums and hiking locations, and several shows put on by the Southern Ohio Performing Arts Association.
SSU Honors Program Director Rhoni Maxwell-Rader, Ph.D. says that the program is about more than just grades. “The operative word is ‘program.’ It’s not just about the honors or the scholastic piece of it — although we certainly do that piece of it,” she said. “It’s also about all the other areas that build character, that build leadership, that reinforce scholarship, that reinforce citizenship so that by the time they graduate that they will not only be an excellent student, but they also will have learned how to be a productive citizen, a true leader.”
Millbridge Elementary School Good Citizens for October are:
Kindergarten — Tori Overcash, Talon Russ, Abigail Miller, Jake Adams, Lilly Nigrelli, Jonathan Barrera, Lily Stuart, Nixon Oles.
First grade — Ashton Frampton, Victoria Vinson, Connor Williams, Melanie Greer, Skyler Canup, Trever McManus, Hannah Grace Atwell, Kevin Cruz.
Second grade — Andrew Lee, Nate Good, Sarah Shell, Jacob Steel, Valerie Webster, Adrian Barrera, Dexter Watson, Luna Ryan-Marchese, Parker Mills.
Third grade — Bailey Zino, Savanna Bancroft, Grayson McGuire, Delana Frye, Alyssa Graham, Zach McNeely, Kaitlyn Berg, Mymphis Hyman.
Fourth grade — Payton Black, Emma Owens, Abby Lee, Jonathan Hernandez, Jacob Cox, Taylor Darby, Wyatt Foster, Jaden Helms.
Fifth grade — Haley Cannon, Landon Cromer, Bailey Webster, Tyler Ward, Sam Tyler, Yasmine Ferguson, Luke Osteen, Allison Rinehardt.
Rowan-Salisbury Schools Director of Transportation Judy Burris has recognized the following employees for exemplary service as bus drivers for October. A bus driver must adhere to all the duties and responsibilities set forth by the Rowan-Salisbury Schools Transportation Department and are nominated by their bus coordinator for this honor each month.
North area: Brenda Clark – North Rowan High School, North Rowan Middle School (Bus 182);
East area: Clara Gaston – Erwin Middle School, East Rowan High School (Bus 20);
West area: Michael Turner – West Rowan High School, West Rowan Middle School (Bus 77);
South area: Wanda Vinson – Bostian Elementary School (Bus 192);
Salisbury area: Myrtice Landy – Salisbury High School, Koontz Elementary School (Bus 26);
Special needs: Erica Miller (Bus 173);
Substitute driver: Bill Adams.
Sacred Heart Catholic School’s October Good Citizens are:
Pre-kindergarten — Kendyl Causey and Morgan Davis.
Kindergarten — Katie Antosek and Kevin Bonilla.
First grade — Evan Koontz and Amanda Nollenberger.
Second grade — Soyer Cornelison and Rachel Flynn.
Third grade — Hannah Carr.
Fourth grade — Will Webb.
Fifth grade — Kathryn Marino.
Sixth grade — Hannah Smith.
Seventh grade — Eric Turnbull and Elizabeth Ann Graeber.
Eighth grade — Mary McCullough and Leah Wyrick.
The Student Government Association of Sacred Heart Catholic School is hosting an Honorary Veterans Morning Assembly and Breakfast at 8 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 11 for all friends and family of Sacred Heart Parish. Plans are being made for the Salisbury High School Color Guard to attend, along with special guest speakers.
The Good Citizens for October at Hurley Elementary School are as follows:
Kindergarten — Sha’laya Whittaker, Zy’keria Bailey, Elijah Mitchell, Joshua Curtis and Brooklin Poole.
First grade — Lily Carillo Cuevas, Elisco Ramirez Martinez, Kennedi Jones, Danielle Beaver and Jaden Wilkens.
Second grade — Aiden Jordan, Corbin Hales, Brooke Vander Pol and Destiny Braman.
Third grade — Ni’Angel Leach, Priscilla Navarro Perez, Jamison Baldwin and Katelyn Lentz.
Fourth grade — Natalia House, Giselle Duran, Michelle Gonzalez Estrada and Angie Hang.
Fifth grade — Leticia Miller, Piper Muire, Kary Hales and Ayanna Holland.