Eagles

I stated in an earlier post that I was anticipating a couple more students would be earning their Eagle Scout classification. Well I am proud to announce that Preston Browning (Parkway) and Zach Herman (Ottoville) both became Eagle scouts within the last few weeks. Zach is a member of Scout Troop #266 and Preston belongs to Troop # 98.

In the earlier post I mentioned that according to the National Eagle Scout Association, only about 5% of all Boy Scouts earn the rank of Eagle Scout and here at Vantage, we have had at least 4 in the last couple of years. Well this year, we have three already and possibly one more coming up. I am so proud of these young men. It is not easy 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 also must complete a service project.

Preston Browning built a covered bus stop in Willshire, Ohio. Currently the students had no cover as they waited for the bus to pick them up. It didn't matter if it was raining or snowing, they had to stand out in the elements and wait for the bus. Preston stated that the cost of the project was $7000. 100% of the money was earned from local businesses. Preston also held a doughnut day at his church where he raised $500. The project took him seven months to complete. He said he had a lot of help from family, coaches and community members. Preston has been in scouts since he was in 2nd grade. Just speaking with Preston I could hear the passion in his voice for this project. He really hated to see the young students have to stand out in the elements. If you know Preston, that wouldn't surprise you. He is a kind and caring young man. We are proud of you Preston not only for your work with the scouts but for your work ethic here at Vantage.

Zach Herman was asked to build picture frames for the Ottoville History Museum. The museum was looking to display several items and they needed some way for this to be done. They asked Zach if he could build them twenty frames to display various items in the museum. Zach told me that the entire cost was paid for by the museum. Zach said that it took him about two months to complete the frames. As you can see in the picture, the frames turned out absolutely beautiful. I myself like to do a little woodworking and I can tell you that these frames are perfect. In fact, the museum liked them so much, they are having Zach do ten more frames. Zach said that he had help from his Dad, Grandpa and brother. Zach has been a scout since 1st grade. I really enjoyed speaking with Zach because he is one of those quiet leaders. Zach is one who leads by example. He is always hard at work, doing what he is told and working on his assignments until they are complete. He is a great student to have around at Vantage and all of us are proud of you for earning the rank of Eagle Scout.

If you happen to see these two fine young men around the halls at Vantage, or in your community, please stop them and congratulate them on a well earned accomplishment.

Let's Get Real

Today I want to speak directly to the students about a very serious matter. The subject is vaping and all the problems associated with it. Okay, so you want to stop reading because you think you know it all and you have all the answers. I'm telling you, there are a lot of new reports from the medical industry that are scary and should wake you up. We have tried over the last year to educate the students. We have signs in or near all the bathrooms giving facts about vaping and what is actually in that vape you are using. We have spoken to the students about the problems with vaping and the serious addiction that can come from vaping. It seems like no one listens and thinks we are just old people who don't know what we are talking about. Well, let gets real and list some real facts.

Vaping is becoming an epidemic across the state and across the country. According to the U.S. health officials, the number of vaping-related illnesses has surpassed 1000 and there is no sign the outbreak is fading. Recently there have been more than a dozen deaths from vaping-related lung injuries. Doctors say the illness, which first appeared in March, resembles an inhalation injury. Symptoms include severe, shortness of breath, fatigue, and chest pain. Most who got sick said they vaped products containing THC, the marijuana ingredient that causes a high, but some said they vaped only nicotine. In October, a 17 year old Bronx boy died of a vaping-related illness and Governor Cuomo stated in his announcement that "You are playing with your life when you play with this stuff".

The Center for Disease Control is working hard to address this problem and figure out what exactly is causing the deaths. Their investigations have increasingly focused on THC (tetrahydrocannabinol oil vaping products, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana) but until a cause is found, the CDC continues to advise Americans to refrain from using any vaping products. Some of you may be thinking that you have vaped for a couple years and you don't see any of the effects. Well, the problem with that thinking is you may now be addicted and the effects won't show up for awhile, usually when it's too late.

I wish I could truly convince everyone of you how serious this is. Students, listen... PEOPLE ARE DYING from vaping. That's a fact! They are suffering serious lung injuries from vaping. All of this is just now starting to appear from vaping. Vaping with THC is ruining your life also. More and more are using THC in their vapes and it is harming you. I don't understand why you would chose to come to Vantage, where you can set your entire future career in motion and make great money in a job you love, and ruin it all by vaping. We are going to get real serious about this in the near future. Do you want to ruin the great opportunity that you have here at Vantage. Continue to vape and you will lose that opportunity. One last fact, did you know that THC stays in your system for 3 days to a month or longer in urine. You will be caught. Please start to make good choices. If your friends are doing this, please talk them out of it. If you or a friend are having problems quitting, please see me and we will get you help. Make the choice now that will change your entire future. Don't ignore the facts, it is time to get real.

Here are some links that explain in more detail:
https://americanaddictioncenters.org/marijuana-rehab/how-long-system-body

https://chicago.suntimes.com/2019/10/10/20895845/kids-vaping-parents-guide-help-them-quit

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/can-marijuana-help-your-mental-health/?utm_campaign=cc+tweets&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_content=191111&cvosrc=social%20network.twitter.cc+tweets&cvo_creative=191111

Veterans Day

Monday, November 11th, is Veterans Day. That is a day in the United States where we pay our respects to those who have served. This holiday started as a day to reflect upon the heroism of those who died in our country's service and was originally called Armistice Day. However, in 1954, the holiday was changed to "Veterans Day" in order to account for all veterans in all wars. The difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day is that on Veterans day we honor all service men and women, both living and dead. On Memorial Day, we honor those that gave their lives for our country. There is a short video called "5 things you don't know about Veterans Day", I think it is worth watching. Click here to view the video.

For the student's here at Vantage, we are honoring all Veterans by selling flags to create a "flag field" of 250 American flags. Flags will be on sale on the stage during both lunches until November 8th. The cost of each flag will be $0.50 cents each. When you buy a flag, please write a message on a large white signature board that will be on display with the flag field. On Monday, November 11th, the Flag Field and signature board will be moved outside on the front lawn for the public to see All proceeds will benefit the Rockford American Legion. Each year when we do this, a different group is selected. Please remember a grandparent, parent or friend by purchasing a flag for our flag field. As you can see by the picture, we have just started this a day ago and it is filling up fast.

I personally want to thank each and everyone of our staff members who have served. I don't care how you served, where you served or what your duty was. The idea that you gave up at least two years of your life to keep our country safe is worthy of my deepest respect. We have our freedom today because of brave men and women like you. That is something that we can never take for granted. You have battled for our freedom and our rights. The right for free speech, to practice our religion openly without fear of punishment, the right to vote and the right to live free among our brothers and sisters. You only have to look at other places in the world and you begin to respect and love what we have here in this great country.

One final link for all you veterans: This link will show you all the places that you can go to on Veterans Day to receive discounts and deals and even freebies. Click here to see your discounts. In closing, I just want to say "Thank you for your service".