Happy New Year! The start of 2013 has been like any other; resolutions are being made, and the anticipation of an exciting year to come is in full swing.
We at Ohio Hi-Point are just as eager to see what 2013 has to offer. Our students continue to amaze us in their talents and skills, and the last half of the school year will showcase their abilities in their chosen career path.
The new year also brings with it a time for reflection.
As I walked down memory lane (i.e., I was looking through Ohio Hi-Point’s Facebook photos) I smiled at the kindness and “give back” attitude our students and staff have exemplified. Take a look with me…

Mrs. Maurice (Mrs. Mo) was selected as Ohio's Best New CTE Teacher by the ACTE and was one of the five national finalists for the award on the national level.

Students spoke to the Sloan Trustees about the importance of the Sloan Foundation to Ohio Hi-Point's Career-Technical Education Opportunities. Mike White, an Electronics student, works with a new robot provided by Sloan Foundation funding.

The Construction students continue to build a new house every year. Their hard work and dedication provides a house for a family to call home.

OHP's Satellite program, Media Arts, is thriving at Riverside thanks to instructor, Michelle Weadock and her enthusiastic students. Together they successfully brought back the radio station at Riverside High School. Students create morning shows and broadcast Riverside sports games.

Colton Lowe (pictured right), an Electronics student, was elected as the SkillsUSA Southwest Region Vice President. His leadership and dedication to community service has been seen and felt in the SkillsUSA organization as well as Ohio Hi-Point.

FCCLA (Culinary and Early Childhood Education) held a food drive for Hurricane Sandy relief. Dry goods and other necessities were collected for those affected by the Hurricane.

Some of Ohio Hi-Point's lab participated in welcoming the Benjamin Logan second graders to campus one day for an exploration field trip. The second graders made cupcakes, built recipe holders, made superhero pictures, had their faces painted or hair done and experienced a petting zoo. OHP students were excited to host and had a blast showing the second graders around campus and in their labs.

The Lead Ambassadors held a competition amongst the labs to raise funds for the Logan County Humane Society. They ended up raising over $500.

Red Ribbon Week kicked off with wristbands for all our students to remember to make smart choices, including saying 'no' to alcohol and drugs, texting and driving and peer pressure.

The Printing and Graphics students have continued to give back to the community as well as to OHP. Their talent and skills have produced invitations, t-shirts, posters and creative marketing materials.

The Cosmetology students hosted two Salon-A-Thons since the start of school. The salon is open to the public and students were able to show off their skills and help out the community.

All OHP students will now be able to walk away with one more certification from Ohio Hi-Point: CPR and AED. Health Technology instructor, Deb Purcell, taught CPR courses to all CTE labs at Hi-Point, providing students with a life-saving skill.

The BPA students bowled for Special Olympics this year, raising nearly $500 for the organization.

After hearing about Wyatt, a Triad elementary student who suffered a brain stroke over the summer, OHP students wanted to help with medical costs for the family. The Culinary and Early Childhood Education students hosted a burger bar. For $5 students could enjoy a burger bar in the Sloan Inn and all proceeds benefitted Wyatt and his family. The Sloan Inn opened to the public for an evening fundraiser as well. Over $1,000 was raised to support Wyatt.

The Building Maintenance students hosted a Toys for Tots drive during December, collecting 77 toys to be delivered to the Vineyard Christian Fellowship.

Students in the Automotive Technology lab adopted a family this Christmas. Together, the students donated over $300 worth of clothing and toys to the family.

Fifty-three Adult Learners graduated from OHP's Adult Education program in December. The Holland Theatre was packed with family and friends to celebrate the joyous occasion with our graduates.

The Social Studies Department set up a "Hats and Gloves" tree this holiday season. Students could bring in hats, gloves or scarves and hang them on the tree. All items were donated to the Lutheran Church.

OHP Science Teacher, Elizabeth Winer, was selected as one of 224 science teachers in the nation to become a Fellow in the 2012-2013 New Science Teacher Academy. Her enthusiasm for learning and for teaching has made an impact on her students.
What an amazing first half of the school year- and that’s just a snapshot! We all should be excited about the opportunities to come in 2013. Ohio Hi-Point’s students and staff show us that life isn’t about sitting on the bench, it’s about getting in the game, being proactive and making a difference.
Is it your New Year’s resolution to live and give back in the most exciting and sincerest ways?