GPA: Local high schools benefit from Ohio McDonald's fundraiser

        McDonald's diners across Ohio have rallied in support of local high school athletic programs, raising $112,808.94 during a recent High School Sports Digital Fundraiser Day.

        The initiative allowed McDonald's owner/operators to contribute 10 percent of all digital sales made through the McDonald's app to designated high schools, benefiting 266 athletic programs statewide, including Genoa Area High School, Gibsonburg Middle/High School, Lake High School, Northwood High School and Oak Harbor High School.

        Each locally owned McDonald's restaurant selected a high school in its community to donate 10 percent of all digital sales on Sept. 26. Identified high schools received a minimum of $250 each.

        This was the second year McDonald's Restaurants hosted the High School Sports Digital Fundraiser. McDonald's owner/operators in Ohio were the first to launch this type of fundraiser last year as a way to support high school athletics in the communities they serve.

        “We are proud to have these connections in the communities that we serve,” said McDonald's owner/operator Katie Blankenship. “This is the second year of the digital fundraiser, where all Ohio area owner operators came together to show our support for local high school athletics. We are thankful that the local communities came out to support their high schools and help us make the High School Sports Digital Fundraiser Day a success throughout the state.”

Oak Harbor H.S. to welcome Toledo Symphony

        The Oak Harbor High School Music Department will welcome the Toledo Symphony Orchestra Friday, Dec. 20, at 7 p.m.

        The Oak Harbor band, choirs and a community chorus will join the symphony on stage in the high school auditorium. Vocalist soloist and Oak Harbor alumna Emma Raber will also perform.

        The high school is located at 11661 W. SR 163. Tickets and more information are available online at OakHarborBands.com.

        Community members invited

        OHHS choirs invite community members to perform selections from “Messiah” at the Dec. 20 concert. Rehearsals will be held Sunday, Nov. 10 from 4-6 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 23 from 9:30-11:30 a.m.; Tuesday, Dec. 3 from 6-8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 15 from 1-3 p.m. Singers are asked to attend at least three rehearsals and a mandatory dress rehearsal Dec. 20 from 3-5 p.m. Bring a black three-ring binder to the first rehearsal. The concert uniform is all black.

        For questions or to register, email Tracey Nycz at tnycz@bcssd.com. The registration deadline is Nov. 1.

Elements of Style

        This year, Imagination Station’s “Elements of Style: Where STEAM Ignites the Runway,” will inspire attendees to see the future of fashion shaped by science, technology, engineering, art and math.

        The event will be held Wednesday, Nov. 13, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Renaissance Toledo Downtown Hotel. Tickets are $75. To purchase tickets or make a donation, visit imaginationstationtoledo.org.

        More than 50 models will ignite the runway wearing cutting-edge outfits from local boutiques. Female STEAM leaders from local organizations will also grace the stage, styled to highlight the empowerment of science in our community.

        “Elements of Style” is a celebration of women's excellence while inspiring the next generation. All proceeds raised throughout the evening go toward Imagination Station’s Girl Power event, which encourages girls in grades 3-8 to envision their future in STEAM careers.

        Chrys Peterson and Riley Runnells will emcee the event. Participating boutiques include Hip to the Groove Boutique, Kids Klothesline, Meig, Ragazza, Simply D'Vine Boutique, Sophia Lustig, Yogaja and Zina's Boutique and Alterations.        

        “Elements of Style: Where STEAM Ignites the Runway” is presented by FiberFrame.

Building the Future

        More than 700 students attended the Second “Build My Future” Construction Career Showcase held Oct. 17 at the Wood County Fairgrounds.

        The one-day construction career event for high school students offered interactive learning labs, equipment operation opportunities and educational displays from businesses in the skilled trades and building industry.

        Among local schools participating were Clay High School Construction Tech, Vanguard Sentinel Career & Tech Center  and several Penta Career Center program students.

        Learn more at buildmyfutureohio.com.

Owens programs accredited

        Owens Community College’s Medium/Heavy Truck Technician program and Automobile Technician program received ASE Program Accreditation through 2029.

        Part of the General Motors Automotive Service Educational Program at Owens, these two-year associate degree programs are designed to upgrade the technical competence and professionalism of graduates who become General Motors service technicians.

        Owens and GM collaborated on the programs’ curriculum design. While completing these degrees, students rotate class time and internship at a sponsoring dealership or service center.

        “This gives us legitimacy with the industry,” Owens automotive/GM ASEP instructor Christopher Kinkade said. “It tells the industry that we’re meeting the standards they need, so when we get students in here, they’re going to be up to their standards. There’s no way we could have the GM involvement unless we have this.”

        The ASE accreditation helps put Owens at the forefront of educating and training the next generation of skilled employees. According to Kinkade, other colleges will work on cars dating back from the 1990s. Because of the ASE accreditation and relationship with GM, Owens students work and train on the latest models with the newest technology, such as a recently donated Cadillac XT5.

        “This keeps our technology at a state-of-the-art level so we can make sure these students are going to have the same standards and same education and go and take the next step in their professional journey,” Kinkade said.

        The ASE accreditation process started in the beginning of May and lasted through the summer. The Owens program had to justify and prove its methods were in line with GM ASE standards. There was also an online auditing process before they reviewed the Owens program, including on-site visits.

        Kinkade called it a “super intense process” that took countless hours and effort from multiple people in the Transportation Technology department and throughout the Owens campus.

        For more information on the GM Automotive Service Educational Program at Owens, visit owens.edu/gmasep.