2015-16 members say they’re focused on a common goal – helping our kids –
Story and photos by Patricia Beech –
A graduation ceremony was held on Thursday, June 9 at Moyer’s Restaurant in Manchester for the 2016 class of Leadership Adams.
The ceremony was hosted by the Leadership Adams Board of Directors with Don Bowles serving as emcee. Board President Mike Pell spoke about the importance of leaders having well-defined visions of their end goals. He told the graduating class, “Only you as leaders can define our future by the vision that you cast, thank you for dreaming big for Adams County.”
The event’s invocation was provided by the Board’s Vice President, Dan Harrison, Senior Pastor at the Winchester Church of Christ in Christian Union.
Class members included Randy Chandler of General Electric, Susan Huff of OhioMeansJobs in Adams and Brown Counties, Michael Hughes – Adams County Engineer, Amy McClellan from Southern State Community College, Scott McFarland from Shell Oil, Bethany Pistol from First State Bank, Richard Seas – Superintendent for the Adams County Ohio Valley School District, Shalana Shreffler from First State Bank, and Carl Trotter from General Electric.
Superintendent Richard Seas was the guest speaker. Seas told those attending that he came to Adams County to make a difference. He said his focus is on raising the educational expectations of students and their parents so that graduates will enter college or trade school prepared for the work they must do.
“Our students need to be prepared,” said Seas. They don’t need to struggle in college, they need academic rigor to get them where they need to be. Expectations are something we’re going to work on in our schools because raising expectations will be good for our school and good for our community.”
Seas also said joining Leadership Adams had given him the opportunity to meet people who would help accomplish his goals within the school system. “None of us in this room are going to be able to do it alone, we need people around us, especially those who have leadership potential that can help us achieve our goals,” he said. “I want to retire from the district, and look back and feel good about what I’ve accomplished.”
Members of the graduating class were presented a proclamation from Senator Joe Uecker on behalf of the Ohio Senate commending each of them for their “dedication to achievement, and willingness to give their time, energy, and abilities to better the world”.
Graduates also received a proclamation of congratulations and best wishes from the Adams County Commissioners.
Randy Chandler from GE Aviation, speaking on behalf of the graduates said the members this years class shared a common focus – helping our kids.
“Our objective is to compliment existing school programs by creating opportunities for career explorations for high school students and providing resources to assist our young people toward a successful career path,” said Chandler. “The goal is to attract students back to Adams County after graduation from college or trade school to enhance our community through our twenty-and-below workforce.”
Chandler also spoke about the importance of being actively involved in creating positive change.
“We all see things that need to be fixed or helped along,” he said. “But, if we don’t make a choice, a decision about our intention to help we’re just sitting on the sidelines and watching opportunities pass us by.”
