Triumph over adversity

HURON — It was an emotional yet inspirational morning at the Mesenburg Plaza Place. On a recent weekday, 15 local students were invited to this year's annual Firelands Positive People awards celebration, a way to recognize students who have overcome obstacles in their families, health and other hardships. Every year, students from Erie, Ottawa and Huron counties are chosen by the Firelands Positive People nonprofit to receive funding to continue their education after high school. "Twenty-eight years ago, we started when a friend of mine and I walked out of an inspirational meeting we had for ourselves and thought we should have this for the kids," said Bob Eirons, the founder of Firelands Positive People. Eirons said when the event started almost three decades ago there was not much financial support going to the students. Today the organization has grown thanks to the community's support, and it was able to give out $32,500 in scholarships. To kick off the student recognitions, Eirons shared excerpts from the student's autobiographies. "This year, I want you to listen and notice the frequency of references to mental health issues," Eirons said. "It is so very important for all of us to be aware of this epidemic raging through our young people's world." Here are some of the students' quotes, read aloud by Eirons: • "Bullying, most nights, resulted in me crying at home because of things that were said about me." • "It was the most horrible and earth-shattering night of my life. The night I lost my very best friend — my mom." • "I have struggled with my mental health for as long as I could remember. This started when I began self-harming myself and started to grapple with suicidal ideas." • "One day, I came home from school, and I was sitting on my couch doing my homework when the police swat team kicked down the front door." "Whether the person to your left or to your right has more or less of a challenge is completely irrelevant because you overcame your challenge, you raised your hand and said, 'I need help,'" Eirons said. "You came and wrote your autobiography, you came into the room with 15 old adults and told your story, you stood up with the courage. So, remember that we all honor every one of you." The awards Shianna Case, from EHOVE Career Center, received the first-place prize, a $6,000 scholarship. "It's not the end until you let it be the end," Case said after thanking the organization and acknowledging the other students honored at the banquet. Case said life can be hard and can impact people of all ages, including younger people like her and her colleagues. Aaleigh Ladd from Monroeville High School and Camrin Lowder from Vermilion High School were given $4,000 scholarships after tying for second place. In addition to the top three award winners, the organization gave $1,500 in scholarship money to the 12 finalists. In this group of 15 students, the organization recognized two tied winners of the Student Enthusiasm Award, a recognition given to students who remained positive throughout the organization's interview process. The award went to Luke Minniear and Caizzo. When being interviewed by Firelands Positive People leaders, Caizzo said that he was most proud of his upbeat attitude, while Minniear pointed to his humor in the face of health challenges. Makenna Wells from Port Clinton High School was awarded the Frank Fosco Inspirational Music Award. This is an award that goes to a student who demonstrates a love for music and will continue their connection in honor of Frank Fosco, a late founding member of Firelands Positive People. The organization has a Positive Impact Award that recognizes those who have supported students through their struggles. Students nominate a special person and their reason for choosing them gets shared while they present their loved ones with the award. Marissa Baynes awarded her older sister, Kaylee Ries; Case also awarded her sister, Cassandra Camp; Ladd awarded her grandma, Tanya Turco-Ramon; and Lowder awarded her guardian, Linda Gradisek. 2024 Firelands Positive People winners First place, $6,000 scholarship • Shiann Case, EHOVE: Case from EHOVE participated in Skills USA and is on the honor roll. She has also been an EHOVE VIP and has her STNA license. Case plans to continue her nursing education at Akron University to become a traveling registered nurse. Second place tie, $4,000 scholarship to each • Aaleigh Ladd, Monroeville High School: Ladd has been in choir, esports, basketball and Women in STEM during her time at Monroeville High School. With the goal of helping those with addiction, Ladd plans to major in nursing. • Camrin Lowder, Vermilion High School: Lowder has been a member of the basketball and track teams all four years and the soccer team for two years. She is a member of National Honor Society and is on the honor roll. At either Cleveland State University or Lorain County Community College, Lowder plans to major in business or law. Eventually, she would like to become a prosecutor of criminal law. $1,500 scholarship finalists • Rosemarie Todd, Danbury High School: Todd was Danbury High School's winner this year. She has been a member of multiple bands throughout her high school career including pep, stage and concert. She is also a member of National Honor Society and received the Nine to Five Award. Todd plans to continue her education at either Xavier University or the University of Findlay by majoring in biology and pre-med to become a medical professional. • Marissa Baynes, Edison High School: Baynes is an active member of her school's band by acting as an officer of band council and was a member of stage band and French Honors Society. Baynes plans to attend BGSU Firelands with a major in social work to become a licensed therapist. • Jocelyn Bedner, Firelands High School: Bedner has been a member of the high school's band, Future Farmers of America and 4-H for all four years of high school. Through FFA, she was awarded state winner and national silver winner in job proficiency. To fulfill her dream of becoming a fashion designer, Bedner plans to attend Kent State University and major in fashion design. • Lillanna Wild, Huron High School: Wild has been a member of the high school's softball and cross country teams and participated in the spring musicals. She is a member of National Honor Society and has made the honor roll all four years of high school. Wild plans to attend Ohio State University with a major in nutrition and a minor in psychology to become a registered dietitian and treat adolescents with eating disorders. • Katelynn Cox, Margaretta High School: Cox has been a member of the high school's softball team, foreign language club, SADD and a cheerleader. She is also a member of National Honor Society and has been on the honor roll all four years of high school. After graduating high school, Cox plans to attend Cleveland State Univerity with an education major to become a teacher. • Maci Lo Presti, Norwalk High School: Presti plans to study mortuary science in Cincinnati to, one day, work in a funeral home. • Makenna Wells, Port Clinton High School (also won the $500 Frank Fosco Inspirational Music Award): Wells has been a member of the high school's choir, drama club and Touch of Class. Wells plans to major in business at Bowling Green State University. • Haylie Bing, Perkins High School: Haylie Bing from Perkins High School has been involved through cheerleading, student council, bioclub and Move 2 Stand all four years of high school. Bing is a scholar athlete and received honor roll during her four years at Perkins High School. Bing plans to study psychology at either Lipscomb University or Belmont University to become a child psychologist. • Braylon Harris, St. Mary Central Catholic High School: Harris has been on the basketball team all four years and is captain of the soccer team. He has been on the honor roll and was a Rotary Student of the Month. Harris plans to attend the University of Akron to major in nursing and become a pediatric nurse at a children's hospital. • Rylee Whelan, Sandusky High School: Whelan has been a member of the student council and 4-H club all four years. She is also a member of National Honor Society and the Global Internship Program. She interned at Erie County Economic Development Corporation. Whelan plans to attend either Ohio University or BGSU where she will major in international business. Her goal is to get an MBA and become fluent in Spanish to establish her own business. • Luke Minniear, South Central High School Student Enthusiasm Award winner: Minniear of has been a member of Future Farmers of America and SADD all four years. He attended Buckeye Boys State and has received the State FFA degree. At Wilmington College, Minniear plans to continue his agricultural connection by studying agricultural education to become a teacher. • Casper Caizzo, St. Paul High School Student Enthusiasm Award winner: Caizzo has been on the school's wrestling team, a member of student government, Model UN and handbell choir all four years at St. Paul High School. While on the wrestling team, he has earned State Championship 1st and 2nd place standings and received first-team all-academic and most valuable wrestler awards. He is also in National Honor Society. At Ohio Northern University, Caizzo plans to study biomedical statistics. Positive Impact Award winners: Kaylee Ries, nominated by Marissa Baynes; Cassandra Camp, nominated by Shianna Case; Tanya Turco-Ramon, nominated by Aaleigh Ladd; and Linda Gradisek, nominated by Camrin Lowder