A Very Merry Christmas

Well Christmas is just a few days away and I know many of you are looking forward to the time off of school and spending time with friends and family. I hope that all of you will find the time to relax and soak in the spirit of this beautiful holiday. I realize it is also a sad time for many as we think about loved ones who are no longer with us. My wish is that you would be able to think about all the wonderful memories you shared with that special person and also remember how lucky you were to have known them. One thing that Christmas reminds us of is the fact that life goes by pretty fast. Many of us remember when our children were young and so excited to see the toys on Christmas morning and then in a blink, they are raising children of their own. I don't think that is a bad thing, it is just the way life goes. I plan on spending time with my granddaughter who is almost three years old now. I want to watch the excitement in her eyes as she bakes cookies, watches the Christmas lights and opens her presents on Christmas Eve. I am certain I will be thinking about my parents who provided so many great Christmas memories for our family but are no longer around to see their great-grandchildren grow. I will chat long distance to my brothers and sister and share memories all over again. Most of all however, I will remember the real reason for the season and count my blessings. I hope you will do that also. Have a very Merry Christmas and see you back here on the 3rd of January.

Joy of Giving

Today at school we had a beautiful example of what it really means when we say there is joy in giving. Over the last few weeks, Mrs. Grothouse has led the charge like she does every year and ran our Toss a Toy program. Through various fund raising activities, Mrs G has motivated and inspired the staff and students here at Vantage to give to this wonderful cause. The very first fundraiser was the mani/pedi day we held at our school. Students can sign up to receive a manicure and/or a pedicure for a couple dollars and then they get out of a class for that day. This project raised $896.87 for purchasing toys. We also held a "change stall" day. This is where the students bring in any loose change they have and dump it on their teachers desk, causing the class to be "stalled" until all the change is counted. This project raised $1138.32 for purchasing toys. Each class also has a fund they can spend on various activities. They raise money throughout the year to have money in this fund. All the labs in total, donated $3166.82. Finally, the cosmetology program held a jeans day ($1. to wear jeans that day) and they sold hair extensions for $2 each. This project raised over $600.00. There was also a generous donation from a previous student that Mrs G had in class years ago. The grand total that our school raised was $6,632.67. Yesterday Mrs G and some of her "elves" went shopping to buy all the toys they could with that money. Well today, the stage in the commons area was filled to the brim with toys for the children in our area. What a beautiful site to see.

I would just like to say thank you to Mrs G for spearheading this program every year. However, she will be the first to tell you that this is not her or her class. This is the entire student body and staff here at Vantage. Every year they step up to the plate and hit a homerun. It always amazes her how generous and kind and caring the students are. Mrs G. was a little choked up as she spoke about the children that will receive these gifts. She stated that we will not see their faces when they get the gifts but all of us can know in our hearts that we made someones Christmas very special. And that is truly the joy of giving. Thank you all!

Fine Young Men

I am writing this blog today to let you know how proud I am of two young men who attend Vantage. Both of these fine young men have worked hard over the last year to earn the highest rank in the National Boy Scout organization, an Eagle Scout. I am talking about Alex Myers and Dylan Schimmoeller, both from Kalida High School and attending Vantage Career Center. Alex is in our Senior Auto Tech program and Dylan is in our Senior Carpentry program. According to the National Eagle Scout Association, only about 5% of all Boy Scouts earn the rank of Eagle Scout. To become an Eagle Scout, you must earn a total of at least 21 merit badges, including the following: First Aid, Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Communication, Personal Fitness, Emergency Preparedness, Environmental Science, Personal Management, Swimming (Hiking or Cycling), Camping, Cooking and Family Life. They are also required to complete a service project.

Alex Meyers did his service project at the new Kalida park by the Pony League diamond. Alex built a batting cage that will be able to be used by all the youth in the area. Alex stated that he has about 500 hours into the project and had to raise between $6000 - $7000. Alex had a lot of the equipment donated and also had to send out letters and visit various businesses trying to raise the money. He mentioned to me that he received $1500 from the Cincinnati Reds organization. The entire idea for this project and all the planning was Alex's idea. I hope if you are in the area, you would stop by and see what a great job Alex did and all the hard work that was put into this awesome project. Congratulations Alex!


Dylan Schimmoeller also did his service project at the Kalida park. His project is a beautiful sitting area that is shaped like a gazebo but has four swinging benches surrounding the edges. Please look carefully at the picture as words cannot describe this beautiful project. Dylan has spent almost five months on the project and raised $10,000. Dylan also did this through sending letters to companies, donations and any other means he could to help pay for this. This sitting area also was Dylan's own idea and he planned the entire project. You can tell his work in the Carpentry lab really paid off when you see this project in person. Congratulations Dylan!

Like I said, I am so very proud of both of these fine young men. If you had a chance to speak with them on a regular basis like I do, you would see that these projects aren't surprising. These are two of the kindest, most polite and outstanding young men that you will ever meet. It is my pleasure that I have gotten to know them both over the last two years. I hope if you see them around the school, you will ask them about their projects and congratulate them on achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. Once again Alex and Dylan, congratulations on your new Eagle Scout ranking.

Help For The Holidays

This may seem like it is a little to soon to be writing about the holidays, but they really are just around the corner. I am hoping I can give you some information and some tips to help you through the holiday season and I hope that you would refer back to this post during the next six or seven weeks.

People often talk about the holiday blues or feeling depressed around the holiday season. There is a reason for this. Television, radio and advertisements try to make it feel like everyone is having a "hallmark" type of Thanksgiving or Christmas. If we aren't celebrating like they are on TV, then something must be wrong.  I don't know if you have noticed or not but the ABC Family channel is already running their 50 days of Christmas, or whatever they call it. I personally believe we rush into the holidays a little to early, but that is just my opinion. However, if you have been watching any of the movies on that channel, you will notice a certain theme. It seems like it is always snowing and people are taking sleigh rides through beautiful parks that are all lit up with Christmas lights. The Christmas music is playing, bells are ringing, and in the end everyone is gathered around the decorated table eating a feast made for kings. The movie usually ends with everyone holding hands and going about town singing Christmas carols. The commercials that are on TV can be another problem. It looks like everyone is out shopping and having a great time. They want you to believe that if you don't spend money, you won't be happy. They create the image that you must have everything that is being sold otherwise you won't have a very merry Christmas.

The truth is, the above scenario very rarely ever happens anymore. I don't know about you, but I haven't taken a sleigh ride and sang Christmas carols in a long time. I also realize many of our students have never experienced a Thanksgiving or Christmas like the ones depicted in the movies. I also realize many of you are worrying about what you will have for Thanksgiving dinner or how you will eat over the Christmas season. I hope I can offer you some tips and resources that you can use or maybe a friend of yours could use.

1) Don't expect the holidays to be the same as when you were a little child. They NEVER are. You are not the same as you where when you were a child.

2) Focus on what you have, not what you don't. Ignore the commercials where the husband surprises his wife with a brand new luxury car or a diamond ring. This only leaves you wondering, "What about me?" Remind yourself that it's not the stuff that makes the holidays important.

3) The holidays bring back memories of loved ones, I understand that. Give yourself permission to grieve, and deal with the loss in your own way. If you want to cry, go ahead. If you want to remember your loved one in a special way, go ahead. Light a candle, put together a scrapbook, decorate the grave stone with flowers, or whatever else you find comforting.

I have a short list of places where you may be able to get help with your meals during the holidays, please feel free to use these resources, they are there for you.

           - Trinity Friends Church across from Vantage. Weekly hours are Tuesday from 10:00 am until 12:00 noon and Thursdays from 4:00 - 5:30 pm.

           - Van Wert County Dept. of Jobs and Family Services: 419-238-5430. They can help with a short term family financial need of up to $1000.00

           - Salvation Army: 419-238-9100. They will be able to help or lead you to assistance.

           - Van Wert Ohio Community Action Commission: A regional non-profit that partners with local agencies like the United Way and local churches. Click here for their website.

           - Delphos Interfaith Thrift Store: Not for profit combination thrift store, food pantry and financial assistance entity. 419-692-2942

           - West Ohio Food Bank: A great resource. They work with churches all over Allen, Mercer, Paulding, Putnam and Van Wert counties. They will help. 419-222-7946. Click here for the list of Paulding county agencies, but you can also find all agencies for each county on this page.

Finally, remember you can call 2-1-1 anytime for assistance,

And as always, please stop by and talk if you are having problems this holiday season. If you need food, clothing or just want to talk about some struggles you are having, my door is open for you. Thanks and I hope you relax and enjoy this holiday season.

Actors Among Us

I know I have been at Vantage for quite awhile now and I can honestly say that I don't ever remember having actors among our students (I could be mistaken, so I apologize beforehand). However, this year is a little different. Just the other day I was told that Jeremiah Simerman (Senior Construction Equipment Technology program) was in a movie that is out on DVD and available through Amazon. I quickly went to Amazon and searched for "Two Steps From Hope" and sure enough there was the cover of the DVD and Jeremiah was on the cover. The trailer was available to watch, so I thought I would see how good of an actor he was. I was instantly intrigued. From what I saw, he looked very good and the movie looked very professional. I knew I would have to watch it over the weekend. I am very glad that I did. The movie is a Christian movie and it was written and produced by junior and senior high school students. The acting was very good and the quality of the film is outstanding. This is a great movie to get the family together and watch, however, I will warn you that you may shed a tear or two. The movie is about when tragedy strikes, a teen struggles to keep her once perfect family from falling apart. I believe the entire movie was filmed in Indiana. In speaking with Jeremiah, he told me that it took over two years to produce and film. I think it's pretty cool to be watching a movie and to know one of the actors. Congratulations Jeremiah on an excellent movie and I hope to see you in many more.


We also have Josh England (Senior - Auto Tech) who is currently in a play at the Van Wert Civic Theater. Opening night was last Friday and they will have two more performances coming up next Saturday, November 4th in the evening and then a Sunday matinee. I am hoping to make the matinee next weekend. I have seen Josh perform last year at the Van Wert Civic Theater and he was very good. This play is called "Sitting in a Tree" and from what I hear it is hilarious, however, I believe this one has a sad ending also. Josh, starring as Archie, has a major role in the play. When he showed me the script book last week I was blown away by how many lines he has to remember. I have no idea how Josh can perform in front of a live audience, but he does an excellent job when he is on stage. I believe we will see much more of Josh at the VWCT even after he graduates.

Congratulations to both Jeremiah and Josh. They are truly actors among us.

Need Help? Call 2-1-1

I know that if I asked almost any student "what does the 4-1-1 mean?", they would be able to answer by saying, "oh that is slang for information, like give me the 4-1-1 on what's going down next week". I also know that I could ask almost everyone "what number do I call in an emergency?" and they would answer 9-1-1. Well I have a new number for you that I also hope you remember. It is 2-1-1.

2-1-1- is a free, confidential and non-emergency number that is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This is a fantastic resource that was started in our area by the United Way. The idea behind the 2-1-1 is to get you connected and to help you get answers with many of the problems our students and adults in this area face. Whether you need to find after school care, counseling, help caring for an aging parent, putting food on the table or simply making ends meet. United Way's 2-1-1 provides confidential, easy-to-use and free access to the information you need. If you know me, you know that I have a folder of resources in my office. I try to keep them updated and organized, but that is not always easy to do. With this tool, you will have immediate access to my "folder" with all that information and so much more. Not only is the service free but it is CONFIDENTIAL. Please, if you need assistance with anything and you are afraid to ask, call 2-1-1. Just a few of the many things they can help you with are:

Basic Needs Assistance
Financial Assistance
Children and Elderly Services
Physical and Mental Healthcare
Volunteer Opportunities

As winter sets in, if you are in need of clothing, food or shelter, please call 2-1-1. If there is anyone you know who needs help during this cold weather, either call for them or tell them about 2-1-1. There is no way anyone should go hungry or without warm clothes. There are just to many agencies willing to help out in our area. They also can help you if you are looking to volunteer somewhere. This would be great for our Student Ambassadors, National Technical Honor Society or any student that is looking to help out in the community. Speaking of volunteering, I would hope all of you would volunteer to help somewhere or someone at one point in your life. There is no greater reward. This is all a part of making you the best person you can be, and you know that is what I want for you in life.

If I can quote author and teacher Ron Clark about being the best person you can be, he said "Throughout life, you are going to be lonely at times, you are going to have your heart broken on occasion, and you are going to feel as if something is missing from your life. No life is lived without some amount of pain and heartache. No matter how bad things get, however, make sure you are always developing into the kind of person you want to be, and the kind of person others will want to be around. It is important not to let external factors keep you from developing who you are and the person you are trying to become. Always make sure there are seven things in your life at all times: laughter, family, adventure, good food, challenge, change, and the quest for knowledge. With all of those things, you will grow, enjoy life, and become the type of person you can be proud of. You will also be in a better position to help others, give advice, and learn from your mistakes, because you will be a stronger, healthier, and happier person."  Take care and thanks for reading!

Now Is The Time

As we head into the final week of the quarter, I want to remind you that there is still time to work on those first quarter grades. I have been running some grade reports and there are students who need to work really hard this week so that they can raise their percentage in their classes. I know Mr. Knott sent out an email to all of you today referring exactly to that point. There is a big difference from failing the first quarter with a 15% or failing the first quarter with a 50%. Please see Mr. Knott's email for a complete explanation.

I just want all of you to realize that now is the time to start working hard on improving your grades and your overall standing here at Vantage.  It is easy to say "well what can be done in five days?" or you may feel that it is to late to improve your grade. As Mr. Knott states, "EVERY POINT MATTERS". Our final grades are determined by averaging the four nine week grades and the final exams (if the class offers the final exam). Quarter grades are 20% and the exams are 10% each. If there aren't final exams, then each quarter is worth 25%. So 15% vs 50% grade DOES MATTER. Please, this week if you are struggling, work with your instructors to make sure all your work is turned in. Ask for any opportunities where you can do extra credit. Finally, study for any remaining tests or quizzes that you may have this week.

It is not to late. Grab every point that you can. Next week will start a brand new quarter. Take advantage of a fresh start. Don't fall behind, and make sure you do your homework every day. One of the biggest problems I see with failing grades is missing assignments. Look, all of you chose Vantage because it was a fresh start and you wanted to learn a trade. Now is the time to take hold of that opportunity before it slips away. The vast majority of our students are taking advantage of being here. They are learning a trade, earning great grades and will be well prepared for the future. Don't be part of the very small minority who are falling behind. Tell yourself that you are no longer going to fall into that trap. I hope you read the earlier post about hanging around good company and good friends. Maybe that is something you need to look at. Everyone here at Vantage is here to help you and make sure you succeed. Now is the time to take advantage of that. Now is the time to improve yourself and your grades.

Unleash Your Story

This week in our Media center, Mrs Knodel is celebrating "Teen Read Week". Throughout this entire week there will be various activities going on in the media center. During lunch on Wednesday, Mr. Larry Ray and Brayden Kill (Senior - Ind. Mech) will be playing their guitars. On Thursday, we will have a guest speaker who does welding art work. I have seen some of his works and they are absolutely astounding. Students who are found reading on their own this week will be rewarded. It should be an exciting time around the media center this week, so I hope you will find the time to stop by and visit.

There is also something I am very excited about going on with "Teen Read Week". The theme this year is "Unleash Your Story Through Art!" Mrs. Knodel has asked staff and students over the past month if they would like to enter drawings/paintings, poetry, metalworks, wood carvings, song lyrics, personal narratives, etc that would unleash their story. This is a way to express what you have lived through, where you are at today, what has shaped you in life and so much more. And this is done all through the wonderful expression of art. I have been overwhelmed with some of the beautiful expressions both the students and staff have depicted either through their writings, poetry, pictures or art work. It is well worth your time to go to the media center and browse some of these very personal  life stories. Some of the things you will encounter will be some art work through welding, glass blowing and wooden bowls made on a lathe. There are some touching stories that took a lot of courage to write but may help start a great conversation that may cause someone healing in their life. Finally, I can't say enough about the artwork. All I can say is that our students are really a talented group of students. Not only is some of the work very detailed and beautiful, but it goes so deep into the artists soul. It expresses so many emotions that sometimes a person can not express verbally.

I want to thank Mrs Knodel for all the wonderful activities she has going on this week. It is not just a break from routine for the students but it just might open up a conversation that will help some other student or even that student. This exercise allows a certain freedom for the students. Something they may want to say or have wanted to say but didn't know how. It allows a quiet student the chance to be heard. It allows a shy student the chance to speak out. Once again, I urge all the students and staff to head down to the media center and "listen" to these students unleash their story through art. Thanks again Mrs. Knodel.

Good Company

Just the other day I read an article that I found very interesting and something I have been saying for some time. The article was titled "In a Bad Mood? You Might Have Picked It Up." I always find it interesting when someone has to do a study to figure out what most of us know as common sense. The study found out that, like a cold, good and bad moods can be 'picked up' from those around you. The study came out of the University of Warwick (in Coventry England). The study stated that "Evidence suggest mood may spread from person to person via a process known as social contagion." The team also found out that mood isn't the only thing that spreads among friends - so do symptoms of depression like helplessness and loss of interest. While those are not strong enough to push other friends into depression, they still can bring us down. The researchers also found that having more friends who suffer from bad moods makes it more likely for you to be in a bad mood. The good point of this study is that they also found that the opposite applies, people who surround themselves with more positive people will be more positive.

Like I said earlier, this is pretty much common sense, or is it. I have seen a lot of students who really have a lot of potential but they are brought down simply because of the people they hang with. I don't know if it is peer pressure, trying to fit in with friends or simply what this study says, that hanging around people who are always down can bring you down also. If you hang around friends who don't care about their grades, then it could be possible that you might quit caring. If you hang around friends who are disrespectful to the school, then you might become that way. It's like catching a cold. You may not want to be that way, but the "virus" effects you.

Even if this sounds simplistic or silly to you, I hope that you will take notice of the kind of friends you hang around with in lab or sit with at lunch. What kind of attitudes do they carry? Are they good students who care about their future and graduating? I really think you will be amazed when you start hanging around people who are positive and laugh a lot. You will notice that it has a tendency to rub off on you. I have been fortunate to hang around people in my life that make me laugh, have positive outlooks on life, enjoy kicking back and overall are really good people. They know who they are and I thank them for that.

This last week or two I have been very fortunate to hang around some really positive people. I have been part of the National Technical Honor Society and also selecting a great group of Junior Rotarians. One thing I have noticed is that when I see them around school, they are usually involved in some pretty good company.

National Technical Honor Society 2017-18

On Tuesday evening, October 3rd, Vantage Career Center will be holding our annual National Technical Honor Society banquet and induction ceremony. The National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) is a way to honor student achievement and leadership in career and technical education, promote educational excellence, award scholarships and enhance career opportunities for the NTHS membership.

To become an NTHS member, a student must first be carrying a 3.5 GPA or above, have 95% attendance for their Junior and Senior years, no discipline problems in both years and have passed all of their End of Course Exams. If the student meets the above mentioned criteria, then they must write an essay stating why they feel they belong in the NTHS, have four teacher recommendations, submit a resume and complete their application. Once all of this is turned in, a committee of teachers and staff meet to discuss each candidate and determine which students best represent the NTHS.

As a member of the National Technical Honor Society, each member has met the seven character attributes, and at the induction ceremony, vow to continue these attributes. They are: Skill, Honesty, Service, Responsibility, Leadership, Citizenship and Scholarship.

I am so proud of these students because they have made so many great choices in their lives. They not only have been successful here at Vantage and their home school, but I know they will be successful in their future college or work careers. If you happen to see these students in the hallway or in your classes, please congratulate them on a great high school career and a great honor in being selected for the National Technical Honor Society. This is a very small percentage of our student body (roughly 5%), but they truly are the best of the best.

CONGRATULATIONS:

Shown in the picture front row left to right:

Cierra Brown (Van Wert), Savannah Habern (Paulding), Megaen Price (Antwerp), Mackenzie Shepherd (Lincolnview), Jenna Dunlap (Jefferson), Jessica Schnipke (Ottoville), Hannah Schevey (Paulding), Amanda Roberts (Antwerp), Briana Martz (Van Wert), Andrea Snow (Continental), Darcy Sybert (Continental), Hayley Kuhlman (Van Wert), Kali Edgington (Jefferson), Kailey Denman (Lincolnview), Row 2: Nathan O'Neill (Lincolnview), Josh England (Lincolnview), Jordan Bonifas (Jefferson), Alex Meyers (Kalida), Dillon Elkins (Kalida), Clay Schnipke (Ottoville), Chloe Foltz (Paulding), Jacob Mueller (Ft. Jennings), Emily Freund (Ft. Jennings), Garrett Silance (Wayne Trace), Cooper Chung (Jefferson), Joey DeBoer (Wayne Trace), Louis Rammel (Lincolnview). The following students were on a field trip and were not in the picture: Devin Ricker (St. John), Alexis Rupert (Van Wert) and Aaron Sealts (Ft. Jennings).

How Do You See It?

I know a pretty hot topic of discussion lately has been about all the hurricanes that we have seen recently. There was hurricane Harvey that hit Texas just a couple of weeks ago and then this weekend we have seen the devastation in Florida from hurricane Irma.  I know that several people around Vantage have places down in Florida and were lucky enough to escape with only minor damage. We have all seen the pictures of the flooding and the damage to buildings, boats and landscape. I think it makes all of us pause and realize how in an instant our lives can change all around us. We should be grateful for each and every day that we have and make the most out of every moment.

Most of Sunday and Monday night I was watching the events unfold down in Florida. I was pretty much glued to the weather channel. As many of you know from my blogs, I enjoy the warm weather and beaches that places like Florida and the Caribbean offer. I have been to Key West and down in the Lesser Antilles. It is sad to see so much damage to such beautiful areas. However, the one thing that I found really interesting as I watched the news channels interview residents in the days following the storm, was the different ways that people look at things. I would hear two people being interviewed who were from the same area but they had different ways of looking at the damage. I am not saying either way was right or wrong. I don't know how I would react in that situation. There was a young gentleman who lost everything he had except the clothes on his back, yet he seemed so calm and at peace as he spoke with tears in his eyes and stated that he will re-build and he will fight back. There was another person who seemed like they were just giving up and too tired to fight.

I don't know much about any of those two people, if anything at all. However, it reminded me of a quote from C.S. Lewis that states, "For what you see and what you hear depends a great deal on where you are standing. It also depends on what sort of person you are." I know we all deal with certain problems and issues in our own lives. It may be something like an irritation at home or school, or a bigger concern like a health issue. I think we learn to deal with those issues before they ever approach us. I believe that  life experiences and circumstances have the opportunity to shape us into the person we are today and the person we will become. It all starts with how we handle each and every situation. As young students, you have the opportunity to begin shaping your life today. When situations arise that frustrate you and cause you to be upset, then take some time to cool off and then deal with the situation. Think through things before you act. Don't hit the send button until you have thought about what you are saying or who you might hurt. The steps that you take today to act calmly in any situation will prepare you far into the future to be a mature and responsible adult. Then when life throws a real "hurricane" at you, you will be ready to face the unknown future with peace.

A Sincere Thanks

Well we have survived the first week and a half and it seems that everyone is finally settling in. The first week or week and a half is a little different than what the home schools have to deal with. At Vantage we may get quite a few students who at the last minute decided that they do want to attend here. This is fantastic but it does cause a lot of last minute scrambling. Schedules have to be created so that we are not overcrowding a teachers classroom. The students have to be measured for their uniforms which will arrive a few weeks from now. We also have to make sure that all important forms are turned in, such as emergency medical, internet agreement and the signature stating that the handbook has been read.  And finally, make sure that the student has their student ID ready and that they are set up for lunch.

I mention all of this not to show how busy we are in Student Services, but to say a special thank you to all the people involved and who have had to put up with the chaos. I want to thank the teachers who never complain about adding students but welcome them into their class and make them feel so comfortable. The lab instructors who may have to sit down with that student and go over the safety rules one on one, and try to get them caught up as soon as possible. Not once have I had a lab instructor turn down a student. All the office staff, both up front and in student services, who have to get the student into the system, get the student ID, gather all the forms and complete these tasks all in a few hours. The supervisors who measure the student and then try to "rush order" their uniform so that the new student can get it as soon as possible, once again, never complaining.

This is just a small list of people to be thanked. So many of you have greeted the new students with smiles and big welcomes when I walk them around the school. I want to say thank you. I can't tell you how much that means to them. They often tell me how nervous they are because they are late comers and they feel everyone else is already settled in. A warm welcome and a gentle smile goes a long way. We have an awesome staff here at Vantage with some great leadership. It is times like this past week that make me realize this. I for one am truly grateful and thankful. I hope the students, both new and second year, appreciate and will come to realize that they are in a awesome place. I hope the University of Miami doesn't mind me using their slogan, but I have always liked it and feel that it applies here at Vantage:

                     TO THINK THAT IN SUCH A PLACE I LED SUCH A LIFE

Change Is Good

First of all I would like to say welcome to all the new students at Vantage, the class of 2019. What an exciting day this past Monday was. We welcomed the new Juniors to their very first day as Vantage students. There was such a positive vibe around the building that day and the students seemed really excited to be starting the new year in a new school. Of course there always are the moments of anxiousness and confusion trying to find a classroom or locker or the awkwardness of finding friends to sit with at lunchtime. However, it all turned out great and I heard some wonderful comments throughout the day.

The following day we welcomed back the Seniors as they got ready for their final year of high school. It was great striking up conversations and finding out what so many of them have been up to all summer. It seemed that a lot of our students worked over the summer, so they were actually looking for a break by going back to school and sleeping in a little later. It is a pleasure to have all of you back and I am truly looking forward to all the great things that will be done around Vantage this year.

I really give our students credit because they had to make the hard decision to leave their friends at their home school, and leave their comfort zone, to become Vantage students. There are so many reasons for students leaving their home school and choosing Vantage, but over and over, I hear that they wanted a change. They were looking to further their career goals, they heard that many past students are working all over the area and are being successful. Some students mention that they had a hard time back at their home school and wanted to come out here for a fresh start. All of these are great reasons for choosing Vantage, and wanting to make a positive change in ones life is an awesome goal.

The desire to change is what will help anyone grow in any area of their life. How many of us want improvement but we resist change. But you can't make improvements without making changes. Change is possible only if you want it badly enough. I read a quote recently from Fred Smith, the founder of Federal Express, "You are the way you are, because that's the way you want to be. If you really wanted to be any different, you'd be in the process of changing right now." Change is tough. It takes commitment, time, work and desire. One more quote from that same article mentioned that the Baltimore Orioles old manager, Earl Weaver, was unhappy with a call the umpire made, so he charged out of the dugout and yelled at him, "Are you gonna get any better, or is this it?

If we want to change, we must ask ourselves that same question. "Are you going to keep working and trying to get better, or is this as good as it gets? I hope all of you take advantage of the opportunities that you will have this year. Regardless of your last ten or eleven years of school, make changes so that this year is the best ever. Work hard, turn your homework in on time, be here everyday, be polite and most of all, be positive. You will be rewarded. Remember, change is good.

P.S. A big welcome to our new Superintendent, Mr. Rick Turner. Also, Mrs. Paula VanTilburg, Career Tech Supervisor,  Mr. Zachary Miller, Criminal Justice Instructor, Mrs. Heather Brickner, Intervention Specialist & Academic Instructor, Ms. Deb Richardson, Instructional Aide and finally Mrs Becky Markward, Cafeteria. So glad all of you made a great change in your careers.

Farewell Class of 2017

My Wish

As the school year is winding down, I don't want to miss the opportunity to say goodbye to the graduating class of 2017. In just a few short days the seniors will be on their way and beginning an entire new chapter in their life. At the end of the year I like to include the words to one of my favorite songs, "MY WISH" by Rascal Flatts. The song was written and released in 2006 and I have always thought it had the perfect words to say to the students leaving Vantage. If you get a chance, go to YouTube and listen to it, you will enjoy. The song starts out by saying...

   "I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow, and each road leads you where you wanna go, and if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose, I hope you choose the one that means the most to you. And if one door opens to another door closed, I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window, if it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile. But more than anything, more than anything... My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to, Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small, You never need to carry more than you can haul, and while you're out there getting where you're getting to, I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too, Yeah, this is my wish".

As the words say, I really do hope you enjoy life, take it one day at a time and don't get upset by some of the little things you will face. I hope you never give up when you run into trouble. Please don't give up on your dreams, use them as motivation. I also want you to know that wherever you end up or whatever you end up doing, I do care for you and I do want the same thing for you. My door is always open after you leave. Feel free to call or email me anytime. I welcome it.

   "I hope you never look back, but you never forget, All the ones who love you, in the place you live, I hope you always forgive, and you never regret, And you help somebody every chance you get. Oh you find God's grace in every mistake, and always give more than you take".

Some pretty simple rules that will help you as you head out into the "real world". Don't hold on to grudges or hold on to your anger just because someone may have made you upset. You will find that when you forgive, you will be released and set free from an invisible prison. You will be a better person because of it. Please continue to give back to the community in which you live. You will not believe how good it feels when you reach out and help someone. Many of you have volunteered while you were in school, keep it up every chance you get.

I know that some of you reading this may have been in my office because you were upset about a mistake you made or something you regretted doing. Remember that I have always told you that you learn from your mistakes. We all make them but it is the mature person who learns from it and grows as a person. Hold on to this bit of advice and don't forget it. I guarantee you will need it again some time in the future. We all make mistakes. Finally as the lyrics above started out with, I hope you never forget. Come back and visit us or send us a quick e-mail to let us know how you are doing.

So there it is, my wish for all of you seniors who are leaving us in a few short days. I thank you for trusting me with your friendship, your troubles and your last two years of high school. Good luck in all you do. As for all my other readers, this is my final blog of the school year. Thanks as always for reading the blog, the kind comments and the inspiration. Have a great summer!

Fast

Fast. That's what the next three weeks will feel like for most of our seniors. It is hard to believe but they will be done in just three short weeks. Before any of you seniors realize it, you will be walking across the stage at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center on May 19th. In those three short weeks, you will be preparing your senior portfolio, getting your graduation stuff together, making plans for graduation parties and taking final exams. I know some of you may be thinking that May 19th can't come quick enough, but I hope that you will take some time and really think about your last 12 years of school, your accomplishments, all your friends and those happy and maybe sad memories. Take time to reflect about your four years of high school and think about these questions. Did you accomplish any of the goals you set for yourself? Are you where you thought you would be when you started ninth grade? How has life changed for you over the last four years? These are all good points to ponder as you begin your next stage of life. I believe they will help you plan future goals based on how you met your earlier goals or maybe you never set any earlier goals and now you would like to.

Fast. That really is what life feels like, no matter how old or young you are. There is a country song out now by Luke Bryan and it is called "Fast". In the song he says, "60 seconds now feels more like 30...Sand through the glass sure falls in a hurry and all you keep trying to do is slow it down, soak it in. Keep trying to make the good times last as long as you can but you can't, man it just goes to fast". I was thinking to myself, sure Luke Bryan is 41 years old and he thinks 60 seconds now feels like 30, wait until he gets to be my age. Sixty seconds now feels like fifteen. All joking aside, life does go by fast and I hope that each of you will take the time over the next three weeks to appreciate all you have earned and all that you have ahead of you. I hope that all of you will finish strong and complete all your assignments. If you have any questions regarding your grades or your graduation status, please stop by my office so we can talk. Even if you don't have any concerns or questions, I truly hope you will stop by my office one more time to chat, say hello and let's talk about your future plans. Believe it or not, I will miss many of you and always look forward to our open houses when so many of you come back to say hello and update me on your life. I just ran in to a former AG student at the Big R in Lima yesterday and we had a nice conversation. I was shocked when I found out he has been out of Vantage for almost eight years. One of the things he mentioned to me was how fast those eight years have gone by. Funny, that's what I was thinking.

Field of Dreams

First of all I apologize for the long time in between posts. It has really been crazy around school and there have been so many things going on as we finish the school year. I titled this post Field of Dreams because I was lucky enough to take our National Technical Honor Society members to the Fort Wayne Tin Caps game the other day. Mr. Unverferth came up with the idea to give these excellent students a day off for all their hard work over the last couple of years and treat them to a day they truly deserved. Well I will tell you we were certainly blessed with absolutely beautiful weather that day. The seats Mr. U got for us were unbelievable. We were the first row, right next to the home dugout on the first base line. Being this close to the game kept all of us on our toes, keeping an eye out for the line drive foul balls.

As I looked out at the players as they stretched before the game, I thought about all their dreams and hopes for the future. The Tin Caps are the Single A team for the San Diego Padres. Most of these players are right out of college and are putting everything on the line to make the "Big Show", the major leagues. The odds of a lot of these players making the pros isn't very high but certainly many of them do make it to the next level and then into the majors. It is a dream they have and they work very hard to obtain it.

It didn't take me long to look at our students sitting all around me and realize that these students who are the best of the best at Vantage, also are about to set out with so many hopes and dreams. They will work hard to obtain those goals and I know they will. They have their entire life ahead of them. They have opportunities that many of us never had. They will fall, get back up, suffer disappointments and celebrate great achievements. I am proud of all of these students and I can tell you that our future is in very good hands. To be able to spend a few hours with these students made me realize that we all need to hold on to our dreams, encourage others in their dreams and be proud of our youth here at Vantage. They truly are our future and ready to get out on the field.

In closing, I can't help but mention what an awesome night we had here at Vantage on Wednesday. The R.K. Thompson banquet was held to honor students from Crestview, Van Wert, Lincolnview and Vantage, who have overcome some pretty tough obstacles in their life and still have been successful. All 10 finalist have some outstanding stories and they should all be proud of where they are. The two winners, one male and one female, were both from our Welding program. They are Bailey Stegaman and Marcus Tarlton. Congratulations to these two outstanding students and their instructor Mr. Brent Wright, who was also a R.K. Thompson winner. Once again, two students ready to set out on their field of dreams.

Beautiful Conversation

Every once in awhile you get that opportunity in life where you realize you're in a special moment exactly at the same time you are living that moment. I was blessed to have that opportunity this past week. I had the pleasure of meeting and sitting down with Mrs. Van Oss (Industrial Mechanic Instructor, Kevin Van Oss' mother). As I have mentioned in a previous blog, Mrs Van Oss is a dedicated reader of my blog and in her own words states, "I never miss a single one". I have heard so many nice things about Kevin's mother that I was really looking forward to meeting her some day.

Well like I said, that day came last Friday and I am the better person for having that sit down conversation. As I sat in this very comfortable kitchen setting with Ted Verhoff, Kevin Van Oss and his mother, I couldn't have felt more at peace. Mrs. Van Oss is 94 years young and gives off such an aura of peace and kindness that it can be felt just in her smile. You would think that a woman who has lived through a World War, Korean War, Vietnam, the Great Depression, and 16 Presidents would have a lot to complain about. However, not once did she ever give the slightest hint that she was bitter or angry at life, it was just the opposite. She talked about how blessed she has been in her life. How she was happily married to a great guy and a hard working husband who always provided everything her family needed. How blessed she was for having four wonderful children who are still around and love her so much. I asked her if she thought the world was a lot better back when she was younger than it is today. She answered very quickly and said, "no, I don't think it really was. I look at all the things available today like the internet, and modern conveniences and I think we are still doing good today". What a great attitude. I did not expect that response because of all the bad news we hear about on the television, internet and newspapers everyday, but this is how Mrs Van Oss looks at life. I believe that her outlook on life is one of the main contributions to her long life. I believe we can all learn from looking at life in a more positive way rather than focusing on the negatives.

Often times I talk with students about avoiding negative people because they will bring you down. I tell them to find friends that you really enjoy being around. To hang out with friends who lift you up and encourage you rather than friends who bring you down by their actions or words. Often times in life we feel that we need "things" to make us happy, when really it comes down to what type of person are you. Do people want to be around you? Are others attracted to you because you build them up and encourage them? If you think about everything Mrs. Van Oss has gone through and then see the wonderful spirit she carries with her, you begin to look at your own life differently. As many of you are getting ready to graduate and go out into the world, I hope you will check yourself and see if you are pleasant to be around, do you look at the positive side of life, are you laughing more than complaining. I need to check myself daily and hope that someday I will be able to share peace, contentment and love all with a smile and some kind words. Thanks Mrs. Van Oss for doing that for me.

Teens & Tires

Recently I had the opportunity to preview and judge a Business Professionals of America (BPA) project that was done in our Interactive Media class. Three students from that class, Andrea Kremer, Aubrey Kremer, and Alex Foust, put together a public service message on the danger of car tire wear and accidents that are caused by worn out tires. These three students competed at the district level and then went on to compete at the state level. Unfortunately they did not finish high enough to move on to the Nationals in Florida but nonetheless, they did an awesome job.

I have included the youtube video of their project. I hope you will take the time to watch it and pay attention. There are some very good tips and some interesting statistics that are provided. After watching the video, I went out and checked my tires and noticed that they were worn out badly. I took advantage of our day off this past Tuesday and purchased four new tires for my vehicle. I thanked each one of these students for reminding all of us about the importance of checking our car tires.

Not only is the video a great message for everybody, but it is well worth watching just to see the awesome work that Mrs Jill DeWert is teaching our Interactive Media students. This video is a first class presentation. While watching the video, notice all the different camera angles, the different visuals and the great job they did with the interviews. Also, notice the last scene when the blue car is driving away. Alex hooked up a Go-Pro camera to his vehicle with duct tape and drove down the road. It came out pretty cool looking and I'm glad to say, the duct tape held. I am very proud of Alex, Andrea and Aubrey and I hope you will be too after watching "Teens & Tires". Great job and congratulations to all three.

Click here to watch the video.

Sticks and Stones

I'm sure everyone remembers the old saying "sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me". Well that isn't necessarily true when it comes to bullying and name-calling. I recently read an excellent article by Sherri Gordon on the "Very Well" website. Sherri mentions name-calling is a particularly harmful way of bullying because it labels another person and attempts to define who they are. It leaves victims with negative messages of who they are.  Sherri states that when someone is called "fat", "retard", or "nerd" enough times, this ruins their self-esteem, sense of self worth and self-concept. Basically the person begins to tell themselves that they are not good enough or they don't measure up.

The article mentions nine ways that a person can become affected by name calling. I want you to take a close look at these and truly grasp the damage that can be done to a person. Here they are:

1) Name-calling erodes a person's sense of self
     - eating away at self esteem
2) Name-calling causes kids to compromise their beliefs and values
     - if called a "goody-goody", student's may try to shake that image by doing things that go against their belief system.
3) Name-calling affects a victim's sense of well being
     - victims make excuses to miss school and avoid outside activities
4) Name-calling impacts a person's identity
     - a hurtful label can become a part of who that person is
5) Name-calling opens the door to violence
     - many hate crimes begin with name-calling
6) Name-calling encourages internal criticism
     - if a person is called a "loser", they begin to call themselves a "loser"
7) Name-calling impacts mood
     - changes in sleeping habits and moods
8) Name-calling affects mental health
     - research shows name-calling leads to depression and possibly suicide
9) Name-calling affects physical health
     - upset stomachs, headaches, stress disorders, ulcers, etc

I can't imagine that a person would wake up and say to themselves "whose day can I ruin today?". I tend to think that a person may make comments that they seem are innocent and not realize how much they may hurt someone. I hope this article will help people understand how words can definitely hurt worse than sticks and stones. If you are a student who makes fun of others, I hope you will realize the immense pain you are causing the other student. I hope that you will think before you speak. If you are a student who hears another student name-calling, please stop them and explain how they are hurting that person. Maybe you could show them this article. Finally, if you are a victim of someone else's name-calling, please know that you are not at fault. You are not those "names" they are putting on you. You are special, you are important and you are loved. The staff here at Vantage care about you and we will be there for you. Please stop down to my office so we can talk about what is going on. You have lived with that pain long enough, it is time to take back your life. I would love to walk that journey with you and allow you to see how great and wonderful you really are.

Walk In My Shoes

In my position as a school counselor, I have been able to talk with a lot of students and hear a lot of stories about their lives. Some of these stories are funny and some can be very sad. I always get inspired this time of year as the students turn in their essays for the R.K. Thompson scholarship. This scholarship is based on a students self reliance. In other words, how they have made it through some tough struggles in their life and still managed to be an outstanding student and citizen. These students manage to make it against all odds and excel in school and also usually work a lot of hours. I don't know if I would have been able to go through some of the things that they have had to go through and still be successful. I believe we have a lot of great candidates this year and I am excited to see the scholarship winners for 2017.

As I was thinking about the R.K. Thompson scholarship, I couldn't help but think about the students on the other side of the spectrum. I'm talking about the students who look they have it all together. They still have both parents living at home, they have food on the table every night and they drive nice cars or trucks. They usually play in a sport or two and are almost always on the honor roll. I'm sure you are thinking as you read this, "what's wrong with those students, they have it made". Well believe it or not, I also see those students in my office. I have sat across from these students and watched them as they teared up and told me stories about how they are outcast because everyone thinks they have it made. Others think that they are spoiled or that they have a life that everyone would envy. They actually can't make friends because "they just don't fit in". Mr. Unverferth talked about perception in one of his blogs and I can tell you that these students hurt because of the perception that others have of them. As I talk with these students, I hear stories of alcoholism, keeping family secrets, acting like everything is okay and also a lack of love. I hear these students tell me that they have never been told they are loved or even had the chance to hug a parent because of fear.

I really want to mention this because maybe we are all guilty of judging others wrongly. Maybe we tend to think some people have it all together when they really don't. I hope that we will keep this in mind when we encounter someone. I hope we will truly listen to everyone and allow ourselves to be open minded. To take the time to really get to know the people around us. I believe we are all really tired of all the hate in politics and in the world today. We can't change the world overnight but maybe by trying to understand a little bit about our neighbor, we can make our world a little bit better. The old saying really is true, "Never criticize a man until you've walked a mile in his moccasins.

Senioritis

Merriam-Webster defines senioritis as "an ebbing of motivation and effort by school seniors as evidenced by tardiness, absences, and lower grades. In other words, a senior in high school who has run out of energy or feels that they don't need to do anymore work because this is their last year. Senioritis is not just a phenomenon, it is real and it happens every year. I certainly understand the idea that you have been in school for thirteen years or more and now you feel that enough is enough. You have served your time and you are ready to get out and move on with your life.

The problem with that type of thinking is that you can cause other problems down the road that you may not have anticipated. A recent article in the Huffington Post (read here) wants students to know that colleges do look at all four years of high school grades - including your full senior year. A college will request and look at your final grades. They state that "a significant grade dip second semester is a huge red flag - is the student really committed? Can he or she follow through? Maybe this student isn't mature enough after all to handle the demands of a college curriculum."

Colleges can also rescind acceptances. This can be based on your GPA, final semester grades or even social media post. Colleges do have the right to take away their offer if the student does not hold up their academic responsibilities. You also have to consider your financial aid rewards. Some of the financial aid may be merit based, so if you bomb the fourth quarter of your senior year, you may lose your merit scholarships.

This doesn't just apply to students going to college. Many of our students will be going on to the workforce and use their skills that they picked up while at Vantage. I can tell you first hand that the employees WILL call our school and want to talk to Mr. Verhoff, Mrs. Hall, your instructors or myself. They will ask us about attendance, attitude, grades and our thoughts about hiring you. You want to make a good impression all the way to the finish line. This is how we will remember you.

In conclusion, I hope you understand how important it is for you to work hard all the way to graduation. It is only about 61 days away. You have gone so far, don't quit now. Find a way to fire yourself up and then make that final push. You will be glad you did.

Happy Valentines Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!  I hope you are constantly reminded by friends and/or family members that you are important and that you matter. Valentine's Day is often a holiday that is dominated by commercials encouraging people to buy special cards, jewelry, flowers or candy, but really those items are not what love is all about.  Love is about caring for the people in your life and putting their needs above your own.  Love is also about respecting one another!  February is Teen Dating Violence awareness month.  I hope that you all know and realize that you deserve to be in healthy and respectful relationships.  It is important to speak up and set healthy boundaries in your relationships and to seek help if that is not happening in your life or the lives of those you care about.  Want to learn more about teen dating violence?  Check out this website - http://www.loveisrespect.org/ - they have tons of great resources and information. Try the quizzes at their website, they may help you.

So Many Choices

Last week we held our annual sophomore visitation. I always enjoy this day and being able to speak with the sophomores and asking them about their future plans and interest. I find it interesting that when asked about what career they are looking into, a lot of them aren't really sure yet. I wouldn't expect them to be settled on their career at this point in their life but I would hope they would be able to tell me their interests and things that excite them.  Trying to decide what you want to be when you grow up can be difficult.  It isn’t exactly realistic to think that you – 14 – 18 year old students – would know the precise career that will make you happy and fulfilled in the future.  The data on how many careers a person will hold in their lifetime is difficult to track, but most statistics indicate that on average you will have 7 different jobs in your adult working life.  It seems pretty clear to me that most of those adults never imagined changing jobs so many times and if they couldn’t predict what job they would want in their careers as adults it isn’t necessarily realistic to think that you will know exactly what you want to do when you are still in high school.

You don’t know about fields that you haven’t been exposed to yet – how could you know if you’d like Precision Machining or Health Careers when those are areas you haven’t studied.  That is why it is important to take opportunities to be curious, to explore, to learn, to ask questions, to observe and to find out more about anything which interests you.  Seek opportunities to shadow, interview career professionals, volunteer, or work a part time job – even if it isn’t in a field even remotely interesting to you because it will still help you to learn workforce skills.

What you can know though are the characteristics and skills that YOU possess which are YOUR strengths and could help you create happiness and fulfillment in your selected jobs.  These personal strengths do not rely on a particular job and they will cross over to any jobs that you have throughout your lifetime.

So how do you figure out your strengths?  You can always do self-reflection about what you believe to be your greatest strengths.  You can ask your family members and friends about what they believe to be your greatest strengths.  Or you could do assessments about your strengths.  Gallup has a book called Strengths Finder 2.0 which has an online assessment that allows you to complete a questionnaire and ultimately gives you your top themes about your individual strengths.  This information can then be utilized to help provide insight into the types of career fields which could work with your strengths.  Unfortunately there is a cost for the book and the assessment, but if it is an area of interest it might be worth considering.  Additionally there are free online assessments to find personal strengths such as this one. Click here

Ultimately, I hope that you see career searching as a fun and exciting opportunity rather than a stressful task to be added to your “to do” list.  Remember, every day you are preparing yourself for your future.  You are learning and applying skills that will help you for the rest of your life like listening, organization, problem solving, critical thinking, analysis, time management, taking personal responsibility, completing quality work, meeting deadlines, working with others (including those you might not like) and so many more.  There is no doubt that you have a bright future ahead and you will be prepared no matter what (or how many) career(s) you have in the future.

Here are some additional career related articles that might interest you:

Instead of focusing on passion, focus on consistency


There is good money to be made in non-college careers

Cell Phone Problems?

We jokingly talk about students being addicted to their smartphones, but in reality, it is no laughing matter. Cell phone addiction is real and can be destructive to the lives of those who truly cannot control their use.

Ever heard of “nomophobia”? It’s the fear of having no mobile phone, as in accidentally leaving it at home or the battery dying with no charger in sight. There are people who simply cannot function “normally” without having their phone on them. Similar to drugs, smartphone use can trigger the release of dopamine, the chemical that controls the brain’s reward and pleasure center and alters a person’s mood. And just like alcohol and other drugs, tolerance can quickly build, causing one to need even more screen time to experience that same pleasurable reward.

New research released by Common Sense Media tells us that parents of teens and tweens are now spending as much time on their phones as their children. About 60% of these parents believe their teens are addicted to their phones, but less than 30% of these same parents believe themselves to be addicted. In this same study, 56% of parents admit to checking their mobile devices while driving in the car with their children, while 51% of teens say they witness it. Dangerous in so many ways!

Smartphone (or internet) addiction is about impulse-control – which we know is not a strongpoint for tweens/teens – and apparently many adults as well. Smartphones can be helpful and fun in a variety of ways, and spending time on them is perfectly ok – until it’s too much.

But how much is too much? According to health experts, it becomes a problem when virtual relationships take precedence over real-world relationships; when one struggles to complete tasks at school, work or home because of time spent online; when a person begins concealing his/her amount of smartphone use or gets extremely irritated when their online activity is interrupted; when there is constant fear of missing out on something if not online; if the person experiences phantom vibrations from a text or update that did not actually occur; and of course it’s a problem if a person is willing to risk their safety or the safety of others for a peek at their digital updates.

Share this quick quiz with your students, adapted by HelpGuide.org, to determine their level of dependency on their digital device(s):

Do you absent-mindedly pass the time by using your phone even when there are better things to do?
Do you lose track of time when on your phone?
Do you spend more time on your phone than talking to real people face-toface?
Do you wish you could be less connected to your phone?
Do you regularly sleep with your smartphone ON, next to your bed?
Do you use your phone at all hours of the day/night—even when it means interrupting other things?
Do you use your phone while driving or doing other activities that require your focused attention?
Are you reluctant to be without your smartphone, even for a short time?
Do you ALWAYS have your smartphone with you and feel anxious if you accidentally leave it at home?
When you eat meals is your smartphone always a part of the table place setting?
When your phone buzzes do you feel an intense urge to check for texts, tweets, updates, etc.?
Do you find yourself mindlessly checking your phone multiple times a day even when you know there is likely nothing new or important to see?
While there are no set guidelines to determine if a person has a smartphone addiction, there are certainly behaviors that can signal a problem. If your students answered yes to four or more of the questions above, encourage them to take action to break their digital habit. If they aren’t able to stick to the set limits, striking a healthy life balance, there are experts who can help.
(This article came from the Drug Free Action Alliance)

Hang In There

Now I don't want to give my age away but I do realize things today aren't quite the way they were when I grew up. For example; phones are no longer attached to the wall, we don't have to get up and walk across the room to change the television and milk is no longer delivered to your door. I am not saying things are any better today or any worse, we all have our own opinions. However, I will say one thing. Today seems to be a time of instant results, instant gratification, instant information and on and on. Seriously, how many of you have gotten impatient at McDonald's because you had to wait longer than a few minutes for your dinner.

Our youth have always grown up in this kind of world. All the information they need is at their fingertips. They can google anything they want and have an answer in a millisecond. They can call anywhere in the world and instantly chat with a friend or a stranger. Do you realize that the students of today have never been without the internet or cell phones. I guess what all this is leading up to is my concern for so many students today that I hear want to graduate early or quit school to start working early. The juniors ask me if they can take a couple classes during the summer and finish school a year early. When I ask them why they want to do that, they usually respond that they don't want to wait around another year before they start working. They want to get out and make some money. Unfortunately, over the years I have had students want to quit school once they turn 18 so they can start working, even though I tell them they will not get a job without a diploma. They seem to have the answers. They will get their GED, or they will finish on-line. Almost all of these students, except for a few exceptions, want to rush their life and move on to the next phase.

I wish all of those students would take a pause and realize that you will be missing out on another year of a great education here at Vantage. Every program will be adding more information and skills to make you an excellent candidate that any company would be glad to hire. Another year for the juniors will shape you into a highly skilled and trained employee. It will also allow you to make several connections with the employers in this area who know first hand where to go for skilled labor and professional workers. I receive calls weekly from companies asking me to let them know as soon as the senior class graduates so that they can hire them. For the seniors I simply want you to hang in there and finish strong. We are into our second semester and you are so close to the finish line. Being 18 only makes you another year older. It isn't as important as your diploma, trust me. I hope those of you with "senioritis" will think about your future and not the immediate wants. I hope that you will finish strong and be the leaders around the school that we are looking for. The impressions you make with us the last four months can go a long way in our recommendations for you, both this year and in the future.

Seniors, you have worked hard for the last thirteen years. Keep your eyes focused on the finish line and strive to do your best. The rewards at the end will be well worth it, and when Mr. Unverferth hands you your diploma, you will realize that you did the right thing. You earned something no one can take away from you. All I ask is that you hang in there, just a few more months.

Peanuts Philosophy

I recently came across  this information which is the philosophy of Charles Schulz, the creator of the 'Peanuts' comic strip. Perhaps you have seen it before, but I thought it was a good reminder. (You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just ponder on them and you'll get the point.)

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.  (Can you name 5? 1?)
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress...

How did you do?

The point is that none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?

The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money or the most awards. They simply are the ones who care the most!