The Wells County Chamber of Commerce presented the annual Turnaround Awards during its quarterly luncheon Wednesday, May 16. The award is given to students in Wells County's public schools, as well as the alternative school, who turned their lives or behaviors around.
School administrators, guidance counselors and teachers determined who received the award, and they also explained why in the following paragraphs.
Dalton Heron, eighth grade, Bluffton Middle School — According to an unknown author: “It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” Heron has made many changes during her eighth grade year and deserves to receive the Turnaround Award.
After meeting Heron it didn’t take her long to demonstrate that she was strong, intelligent and responsive to change. Anyone who listened to her would soon learn that she had encountered some bumps in the road in the past, but that she intended to change that path this year. Not only did she work toward keeping herself out of trouble but she worked to keep those around her from making bad choices too. She is a diligent student who asks questions, does everything asked of her and gladly helps others. She has control over her temper and is probably one of the happiest students in the entire grade as demonstrated by her constant smile and positive words.
Sam Grace, eighth grade, Norwell Middle School — Grace is receiving the Turnaround Award because of his hard work during this school year. He has committed himself to doing well with his academics this year and he has positive results to show for it. He has passed all of his classes and continues to try to improve on the success he has had this year. He has a positive attitude, is well-liked by his peers, and will be missed when he moves on to the high school next year. Norwell Middle School is proud to honor him with this award in recognition of his hard work and dedication. Congratulations to him on behalf of all the students and staff of Norwell Middle School.
Joshua Winters, junior, Norwell High School — Winters’ behavior and grades struggled during his freshman year. As a sophomore, the difficulties seemed to increase. However, this year, he has shown dramatic improvement in both areas. He has developed into a responsible and mature young man with a promising future. When asked about his turn around, he said that he “wanted to make his father proud of him.” As a result, he said that he now feels much better about himself as well.
Steve Miller, senior, Bluffton High School — Miller is an excellent example of a student who can turn things around when he puts his mind to it. He is a student who has the ability to achieve but hasn’t always made academics a priority. During his freshman year, he struggled with attendance, getting his work completed, and office referrals. He was in trouble inside and outside of school, and got behind in credits. Concerned about the direction that his life was headed, he made a deliberate decision to change paths. During his sophomore year he worked hard to get himself caught up and back on track. He stayed focused and made a conscious decision to stay out of trouble. His favorite classes in high school have been math and industrial tech courses because he believes they will help him most with his future plans.
Miller has also worked as a peer tutor in a special needs classroom this year. The challenges and limitations that the special needs students face have made an impact on him.
This May, Miller will graduate with his classmates knowing that his perseverance and determination have paid off. He has been accepted at the University of Northwest Ohio and plans to earn an associate’s degree in diesel mechanics. Becoming a diesel mechanic has been a long time goal for him.
Olivia Miller, senior, Southern Wells Junior-Senior High School — In my years of teaching (some 35+), rarely have I come across a young person who has had so many challenges. Inconsistent home life issues have predominated Miller’s life. There have been a number of changes in guardianship (beginning in early childhood), and then different relatives, and then different cities and states. Ultimately, she was at the edge of homelessness when taken in by a caring person in our school district.
Despite these challenges, Miller is going to graduate from our place with the Indiana Core 40 diploma, in only three years. Both are accomplishments, all the greater when considered against her personal history. She is enrolled at IBC in Fort Wayne.
Miller has already enrolled at IBC in Fort Wayne, looking at vet technology. I have told her repeatedly that she has the goods to be the vet, and not the tech. She has not excluded this thought from her plans yet. Only time will tell.
Miller is a survivor. She has done well despite great odds. She is an extremely charming young lady. The Turnaround was designed with this kind of person in mind. She brings honor to the award, and those who sponsor it. Well done.
Al Albers, senior, Wells County Alternative School — Albers dropped out of Norwell High School in May of 2010 when he turned 18. Nearly a year later, when Norwell guidance counselor John Reinhard saw him at work, he approached him about returning to school. Reinhard asked him to consider enrolling at the Alternative School where he could attend school half days and still continue to work. He did enroll at the Alternative School in March 2011 and earned his high school diploma in December 2011. He was also a member of the 2011-2012 Norwell High School football team. Before quitting school, his grades had been mostly C’s or below; after returning to school, he earned all A’s and B’s. He had a very positive attitude, was pleasant to work with, and had a tremendous work ethic. He set a personal goal of being finished with his course work by December and worked diligently to attain that goal.
Kaylie Vaughn, ninth grade, Southern Wells Junior-Senior High School — Vaughn has shown the ability to be not only a turn-around student but a commendable student in my biology classroom. Course work that she has taken with me simply includes general biology. For the number of weeks that I have known her, I can elaborate on several wonderful attributes and characteristics:
*In the beginning of the year, Vaughn seemed withdrawn and inattentive; however as the weeks progressed, especially into the second semester, she has opened up more in class with not only her fellow students but with myself.
*The start of year was difficult with Vaughn academically. Many of her grades were below average; however, as the year continued, she has now established average to above average work.
*Vaughn’s sense of responsible has also grown throughout the year. She makes an effort to get all her work in and participates in class discussions and labs without hesitation or resistance.
I would not say that Vaughn would be a “complete” turn-around student, but in the months that I have known her, I feel that she is on her way. She is a student that needs attention, but also a student that needs recognition.
Learn more in the Thursday, May 17, News-Banner.
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