Overcoming obstacles

HURON — Every year, when he looks out at a room of inspiration and impactful individuals, Bob Eirons regains a sense of hopefulness. After conquering challenges and finding strength through their personal struggles, he knows these unheralded young men and women — on the doorstep of adulthood — will become an asset to not just themselves but many others in life. "Society doesn't know about these kids," Bob said. "They go under the radar. That's what we're about: making people aware that there are young kids who are challenged and overcome their challenges." Bob serves as the founder of Firelands Positive People, a nonprofit tasked with publicizing the heroics, bravery, resiliency, kindness and charitable spirit of area high school seniors. An annual tradition, this year, 14 students — along with their families and representatives from their school districts — gathered on Wednesday at Mesenburg's Plaza Place in Huron for this celebration. In short, the ceremony honors students and showcases obstacles they've overcome. Students share the varying reasons why they're also in attendance, which Bob always eagerly anticipates. "These stories are real. The facts are true. The names have not been changed," Bob said. Every year, the organization selects students from Erie, Huron and Ottawa counties to receive recognition. The nonprofit then provides scholarships so recipients can continue their education after high school. After visitors made their way from the breakfast table to their seats, organization president Michael Eirons, Bob's son, noted what makes this scholarship banquet different from others. Michael said scholarships are usually given to students who stand out for grades or athletics — but Firelands Positive People is different. "This scholarship program is not your ordinary scholarship program," Michael said. The scholarships are "about these kids that overcame life's most amazing challenges, and they've done it with such a positive attitude," Michael said. Setting the P.A.C.E. Next to the podium was Dave Slosser, a founding board member. At the stand, he shared each students' school involvement, future education plans and spoke about adversity by sharing a story about Ohio State's football and the acronym P.A.C.E., short for "Positive Attitude Changes Everything." "No word could be more appropriate for the 14 students that I have the opportunity to introduce you to," Slosser said. Slosser then called Bob to the podium to share excerpts from each student's biography. • After a camping trip with their father, they did not know the outing would be the last time they would see their family member. • Epilepsy meant a new reality that they had to learn to navigate • Facing the challenge of making sense of the loss of their mother • Understanding life after their parents' divorce and seeing their father start a new family • Being told to "get over it" as they lived with their grandparents while their parents abandoned them and dealt with addiction • Struggling with depression, anxiety and thoughts of self-harm after the loss of their best friend and sister • They had to learn to live with vocal cord dysfunction, a breathing condition that prevents air from passing to the lungs • They experienced five deaths within seven years. • COVID and school stress caught up with them to the point of emotional collapse • They grew up watching their mother be abused and their father was an alcoholic. After their parents' separation, the family survived on government support because of their mother's disability • They faced neglect, abuse, bodyshaming, belittlement and isolation. The physical scars are gone, but not the emotional ones. • The goal was to lose 10 pounds, but they could not stop the malnourishment and mistreatment of themselves. • They were told not to tell anyone what happened. They began to self-harm. • They struggle with anxiety and depression, making them feel alone, embarrassed and struggle socially Bob described these challenges as "daunting to anyone," yet each student chooses to respond to their challenge with optimism. "Today, you are our heroes," Bob said. The awards The top award of $6,000 went to Renee Miller from EHOVE Career Center. In addition to this accomplishment, Miller took an opportunity to announce she recently accepted a job with Fisher-Titus as a night-shift point of care tech. "I truly believe that I would not be where I am today without the incredible help and support from everyone who's been part of my journey," Miller said. "In the words of my grandma, I am a flower that blossomed." The $4,000 second-place award went to Collin Trimble from Vermilion High School. The third-place award of $2,000 went to Anna Smith from Sandusky Central Catholic School. In addition to the three top awards, all remaining finalists each received a $1,500 scholarship: • Mary Blackford from Danbury High School • Gabriel Dymond from Edison High School • Katherine Scherley from Huron High School • Alayna Biehl from Margaretta High School • Briley Lewis from Monroeville High School • Alexis Swick from Norwalk High School • Alexandria Merriman from Perkins High School • Camille Baker from Port Clinton High School • Zahara Baker from Sandusky High School • Hayley Putt from South Central High School • Ethan Denman from St. Paul High School The organization also provided awards for students who stood out during the interview process, showed a strong passion for music and offered support to classmates going through challenges. And, this year, officials created a new award centered on courage. • This year, three students obtained the Student Enthusiasm Award, a recognition given to students who remained positive throughout the organization's interview process. The winners: Scherley, Dymond and Merriman. • The Frank Fosco Inspirational Music Award went to Denman. 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 new Courage Award went to Lewis for openly explaining the courage needed to put her struggles into words. Firelands Positive People treasurer, Ashley Misinec, said Lewis's willingness to show others her journey and how she rose above adversity is an inspiration. • Several students awarded loved ones with the Positive Impact Award for the support they provided as they overcame their challenges. — Miller honored her grandparents. — Lewis highlighted her aunt. — Smith recognized one of her teachers. — Baker brought attention her mother. — Trimble put a spotlight his school's custodian and his stepdad.