By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
Celebrating the hard work put forth by students and educators across the county, the annual Crawford County B.E.S.T. Awards ceremony was held at the Bucyrus High School Wednesday night.
Thirty-two students and educators were honored at the ceremony for their dedication and hard work within the classroom. Each school district in the county had two students and two educators honored with the awards including Fairway as well as Pioneer.
Advanced Fiber Technology president, Doug Leuthold, was presented with the Steve Tilson Business Partner Award for his work with the county’s school districts. Leuthold’s recogized efforts included being an integral part of the W.A.G.E. Program as well as a driving force behind the Community Connectors Grant. Accepting the award on Doug’s behalf was his father, Dick Leuthold. The elder Leuthold explained how he felt in accepting the award.
“I just wish he could have been here. I am very proud of Doug,” Dick Leuthold said.
During the acceptance speech Dick Leuthold likened the student B.E.S.T. Award winners to the sports all-county first teams with the teachers being the coaches for those teams.
2016 BEST Award Recipients
Students School Educator
Ashley Stockmaster Buckeye Central Schools Mr. Tyler Pope
Jenna Niedermier Buckeye Central Schools Mrs. Karla Niese
Catherine Pojman Bucyrus Schools Ms. Rosalynn Campbell
Loarel Mollenkopf Bucyrus Schools Mr. Jeff Funigello
Brandon Long Colonel Crawford Schools Mr. Andy Cochran
Allison Lawson Colonel Crawford Schools Mr. Jake Bruner
Alex Pugh Crestline Schools Ms. Katie Stasen
Courtney Swanger Crestline Schools Mr. Keith Strickler
Kawal Patel Fairway School Mrs. Cheryl Williams
Shyna Drew Fairway School Ms. Jenny Scott
Lillian Hall Galion Schools Ms. Kris Gearheart
Destiny Stinehelfer Galion Schools Mr. Travis Watson
Samantha Brandt Pioneer Career & Technology Center Mrs. Melissa Myers
David Cowgill Pioneer Career & Technology Center Mr. Paul Brown
David Goodin Wynford Schools Ms. Jenny Scott
Lynae Rausch Wynford Schools Mrs. Tessa Martin
The Crawford County B.E.S.T. Awards are sponsored by the Crawford County Business/Education Advisory Council and financed by donations from Crawford County Businesses, organizations and individuals.
2016 B.E.S.T. Sponsors
Carle’s Bratwurst Inc.
First Federal Bank of Ohio
Galion Elks #1191
Galion-Crestline Area Chamber of Commerce
Hottenroth, Garverick, Tilson & Garverick Co., L.P.A.
Imasen Bucyrus Technology, Inc
J&F Construction & Development , Inc
Kiwanis of Galion
Loyal Order of Moose #669
Peoples Savings & Loan Company
The Community Foundation
The Dexter Company
Tramec Sloan LLC
Prior to the ceremony beginning the Bucyurs City Schools show choir Bucyrus Players and Xband provided entertainment.