GPA: Career Night scheduled at Penta Career Center on Dec. 4

        Penta Career Center will host its annual Career Night on Monday, Dec. 4 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the school campus, located at 9301 Buck Rd. in Perrysburg Township.
        The event is designed to introduce high school freshmen, sophomores and juniors; middle school students and parents to the variety of career-technical training options available at Penta.
        Students interested in applying for admission to Penta and who would like an overview of career-technical education, are encouraged to bring their parents to Career Night. During the event, students and parents will be able to speak with instructors and students, meet alumni and discuss career opportunities with representatives from business and industry.
        Various clubs and organizations will also have displays for students and parents to obtain information. In addition, during Career Night, potential students can register to win a gift card to the school store.
        Penta offers 30 career-technical training programs for high school students during their junior and senior years of high school.
        In addition, the career center offers a year-long Sophomore Exploratory program for students who are interested in exploring career-technical fields during 10th grade.
        The Sophomore Advanced Manufacturing Academy is also available for those interested in pursuing careers in the manufacturing industry.
        Penta also provides one- and two-year program options at satellite locations for area students. These programs include Marketing Education, Teaching Professions, Phlebotomy, and Industrial Maintenance, which are available to students within some of Penta’s member school districts.
        Penta Career Center serves students in 16 school districts including Anthony Wayne, Benton-Carroll-Salem, Bowling Green, Eastwood, Elmwood, Genoa, Lake, Maumee, North Baltimore, Northwood, Otsego, Perrysburg, Rossford, Springfield, Swanton, and Woodmore.
        For more information about Career Night, call 419-666-1120 or visit pentacareercenter.org.
 
Senior Luncheon
        Benton-Carroll-Salem School will present a Senior Citizen Luncheon Wednesday, Dec. 6 from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in the Oak Harbor High School auditorium and cafeteria.
        In addition to lunch, the program will include entertainment and fellowship.
        RSVP by Friday, Dec. 1 by calling 419-898-6210.
 
Aspire Program enrolling
        The Vanguard-Sentinel Aspire Program is accepting new students. Upcoming orientations are scheduled in Oak Harbor, Fremont and Fostoria.
        Aspire classes are free for adults interested in obtaining a GED or improving their skills in preparation for college, a career, an apprenticeship, a certificate training program or additional workforce training. Classes help students improve reading, math, writing and basic skills.
        Orientation to the Aspire program is required before starting classes. During orientation, students work with an instructor to set goals, complete placement testing, and develop an individualized learning plan.
        The orientation schedule includes:
        • Fremont – Vanguard Adult Workforce Development Center, 9 a.m. or 5 p.m. December 5, 7 and 12.
        • Oak Harbor – Ottawa County Resource Centre, 9 a.m. Dec. 4, 6 and 11.
        • Fostoria Learning Center – 12:30 or 5 p.m., Dec. 4, 6 and 11.
        Call 419-334-6901, ext. 2701, to learn more about getting started with Aspire classes.
 
Debt-free educational opportunities expanded at Mercy College
        Aspiring healthcare professionals who are ready to pursue a degree in Radiologic Technology, Medical Laboratory Science, Paramedic, Sleep Tech or Surgical Technology, can join nursing students and have the chance to have their entire educational journey funded, covering tuition, fees, books, and even uniforms, thanks to a partnership between Mercy Health and Mercy College of Ohio.
        The initiative allows students to potentially have up to 100% of their educational expenses covered if they commit to working for Mercy Health while still in school.
          Here's how it works: eligible students are required to work a minimum of six hours per week at a Mercy Health facility to qualify for tuition assistance. Upon graduation, participants in these programs must work at a Mercy Health facility for 18 months.
        Hundreds of Mercy College nursing students have taken advantage of this program since 2022 and now students in other disciplines can participate in this opportunity.
        For information about in-person and virtual information sessions for people interested in tuition assistance and healthcare programs at Mercy College, visit mercycollege.edu/visit.
        “For those who may have delayed their healthcare education aspirations, this is the perfect time to start,” said  Mercy College President Susan Wajert, Ph.D.
 
Professor honored posthumously
        Elaine Denman Recktenwald has been posthumously conferred the title of Professor Emerita by the Terra State Community College Board of Trustees.
        The College’s administration received a formal recommendation for the nomination. Denman retired from the college in 2007.
        Vice President Bill Taylor nominated her and reported on her distinguished career as full professor teaching English and speech at Terra State spanning more than 35 years. He noted how she touched the lives of countless students and peers and how she and her husband participated and led numerous community groups.
        Taylor shared, “Elaine’s extensive knowledge and enthusiasm infused her relationships with students as she guided them through communication courses, especially composition and effective speaking. Her dedication to promoting growth for faculty peers and staff was equally passionate as she served as chair of the professional development committee for many years.”
        Denman Recktenwald also served on the Terra College Foundation Board beginning in 2000 until her passing in December 2021. Her husband, Fred Recktenwald, served on the college board of trustees from 2003 to 2008 and on the Terra College Foundation Board from 2000 to 2008, serving as foundation board chair from 2001-2002. Together they established the Elaine Denman and Fred Recktenwald Scholarship Endowment Fund in 2009.
        “It is with great appreciation and joy that we are able to honor Elaine in this way,” said Dr. Ronald Schumacher, president at Terra State, “and we thank Fred for his continued support.”
        The Emeritus Title is an honorary title granted in recognition for outstanding service and is reserved for a full-time employee who has served continuously at Terra State Community College for at least 15 years of service, 10 of those years as continuous full time, and has retired from Terra State Community College or has left the service of the Terra Board of Trustees with seven or more years of service.
        Located in Fremont, Terra State Community College is a two-year accredited, state-supported, residential college which offers 25 applied degrees and 38 certificates to students.