School notes: Port Clinton, SCCS, Erie County Republican Women Club scholarship winners

Want to see your student or teacher featured on the Schools page? Email news and photos to reporter Caitlin Nearhood at nearhood@sanduskyregister.com, or call 419-609-5849 for more information. SANDUSKY Sandusky Central Catholic School partnered with city of Sandusky employees in recent weeks. To kick off the school year, Sandusky police Sergeant Bronson Lillo led SCCS staff through active shooter training. "Sergeant Lillo was very informative and professional and his passion for the safety of all people shined through. Our staff is grateful to be under the protection of the Sandusky Police Department," said school president Ryan Wikel. To end the first week of school, educator Abby Gerber, along with elementary principal Lisa MacMurray, hosted a Fun and Safety Day for preschool through fifth-grade students. The school partnered with the Coast Guard, Sandusky Fire Department and Sandusky Police Department to teach students about their jobs and equipment and how to be safe in a variety of situations. Sandusky Fire Department took extra time with students by allowing them to have fun with the fire hoses and inviting them to visit the station at a later date. Of course, no event is complete without the department's dunk tank. Many staff members and even a couple of priests took the plunge as strong-armed students fired softballs at the target. Wikel said he was impressed with the positive energy displayed by the city's employees. "Everyone we have worked with over the past few months takes their pride in their jobs and the city," he said. "It is apparent that city manager Eric Wobser has a vision for Sandusky and his staff is delivering on that vision. "In a school setting, it takes many departments to provide a quality experience for our students and families. The city has modeled how to bring many departments together and get everyone moving in the same positive direction for the betterment of the citizens of Sandusky," Wikel continued. "Many memories and smiles were created by the city's willingness to work with us and we are looking forward to continuing our relationship through the projects we have coming up this year." PORT CLINTON A dozen Port Clinton Schools educators — three from each building — recently received the district's Excellent Teacher Award. Port Clinton Schools accepted nominations last spring from staff members, students, community members or anyone wishing to nominate. In total, 47 teachers were nominated. A panel of educators, board members, administrators and a community member served on the selection committee to recognize three teachers from each building. These teachers were recognized for their commitment to the students and school community of Port Clinton as an 2022 Excellent Teacher: • Bataan Memorial Primary: Heather deHaas, Stephanie Kreilick, Morgan Siefke; • Bataan Memorial Intermediate: Jennifer Bolte, Toby Farrell, Lacy Schimming; • Port Clinton Middle School: Deb Cook, Ryan Evarts, Sarah Moore; • Port Clinton High School: Jim Lamb, Paco Romero, Nichole Wiechman. Nominations included how teachers live by Port Clinton Schools' beliefs every day. "We are fortunate to have a school district where all staff could be considered excellent educators," superintendent Pat Adkins said. "This program gives us an opportunity to thank them publicly for their hard work and commitment to our students and community." ERIE COUNTY The Erie County Republican Women's Club recently awarded $750 scholarships to two local students who have completed at least two years of college, maintained a 3.0 GPA or better and submitted winning essays on the topic "As a young American, what do you believe are major challenges facing your generation and what are your suggestions for meeting these challenges?" This year's winners are: • Allison Gresh, a graduate of Huron High School. Gresh will be a senior at Ohio State University this fall majoring in finance with minors in international business and communications. She is currently one of eight interns at Nationwide Insurance's corporate headquarters in Columbus, serving also as the liaison for interns with corporate administration. Upon graduation, Gresh's goal is to work in medical device sales or to begin a career with one of the "Big 4" accounting firms. • Grace Nielsen, a graduate of Perkins High School. Nielsen will be a junior at Cedarville University majoring in strategic communication. Her essay topic, "Gun Reform: It Starts with Us", was particularly timely and pertinent.