Sandusky County Positive People awards scholarships

        Sandusky County Positive People held their 11th Annual High School Positive Living Award Breakfast May 11 at the Neely Center on the campus of Terra State Community College.
        SCPP is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that awards scholarships to area graduating high school students who have overcome a major obstacle in their lives and have come through those challenges with a positive attitude.
        This year, SCPP recognized eight local students for the courage it took to face and overcome their challenges with integrity, self-reliance, determination and perseverance. Many of the students indicated that they were thankful they endured the challenges they did because it made them who they are today.
        A total of $40,000 was awarded at this year’s breakfast, bringing the grand total awarded by SCPP to $257,650 to 96 students.
        The 2022 scholarship recipients included:
        • First place – Leah Jividen (Gibsonburg Schools) received $7,500.
        • Second place – Jaelie Humberger (Bellevue City School District) received $6,000.
        • Third place – Brianna Benavidez (Lakota Local Schools) received $5,500.
        • Fourth Place – Jacen Goble (Fremont City Schools/Vanguard Tech Center) received $5,000.
        Finalists included Cadence Bloom (Lakota Local Schools/Vanguard Tech Center); Huntergrace Overmyer (Woodmore Local Schools); Gabriel Sawyer (Bellevue City School District) and Mckayla Firsdon (Lakota Local Schools) each received $4,000.
        Two Spark Awards were given to students who “lit up the room” when they were interviewed by the SCPP Board. Those students were Leah Jividen and Jaelie Humberger.
        Courage Awards were given to four students who demonstrated much bravery in coming forth to tell their stories. They include Leah Jividen, Jaelie Humberger, Brianna Benavidez and Cadence Bloom.
        Positive Impact Awards were also presented to people who had a positive impact on the students’ lives. Recipients include Mike and Kim Jividen, Julie Waggoner, Paul and Jamie Brubaker and Sarah Bloom (presented posthumously).
        Again this year, Sandusky County Positive People invited several alumni/past scholarship recipients to give an update on where they are in their lives and how SCPP impacted them. Erica and Erin Hartley (class of 2019) and Zane Cox (class of 2014) all spoke to the attendees.
        “I am always amazed by the courage these young adults have by allowing us to share their stories,” said SCPP president Tom Hoffman. “Every year, they tell us two things: If it helps someone else, they are ok with sharing their stories and even though they have been through these situations, they wouldn’t change a thing because these challenges made them who they are.
        “These young adults are amazing,” Hoffman said. “We are glad to give them an opportunity to celebrate what they have overcome and hopefully keep them on the right path.”
        Sandusky County Positive People thanked the many donors over the years as well as this year’s scholarship donors including United Way of Sandusky County, Stan and Carol Manbeck, National Electrical Contractors Association and IBEW Local 8, Brian Koenig, Mike and Dolores Herbert/PT Services Rehabilitation, Tracy Lytle, Tim and Kim Ellenberger, Sandusky County Sesquicentennial, Carbo Forge/Kraak Foundation and the former Clyde/Grange #364 Scholarship.
        SCPP’s next event is the annual Summer Concert of the Year fundraiser Friday, July 15 at Terra State Community
College. The concert, which will be held on the Terra outdoor Quad, will feature The Terra Fusion Band, Not Fast Enuff and headliner The Together Band. Tickets will be available for purchase in June online or at the Sandusky County Visitors Bureau, located at 712 North St. in Fremont.
        For more information on SCPP, to make a donation or to purchase concert tickets online, visit scppohio.org. Updates and information are also by visiting Sandusky County Positive People on Facebook.