A longtime Bellefontaine educator will be inducted into The Ohio State University Lima Hall of Fame Thursday night, Oct. 7.
Bellefontaine City Schools gifted coordinator Angie Horvath is a 2021 inductee.
“Horvath works every day to change the world, one child at a time. She has become a remarkable role model, mentor, and inspiration to all the students who cross her path,” BCS district officials said.
Successful Alumni Hall of Fame inductees are advocates for the university and regarded as community leaders with a record of sustained professional recognition or involvement in community activity or both. Members of the Alumni Hall of Fame have successfully completed at least one term of full-time study at Ohio State Lima and graduated from Ohio State 20 or more years ago.
A 1991 Bellefontaine High School graduate, Horvath said she dreamed of being a teacher since the third-grade. Despite a generational history of poverty and being a first-generation college student, she found an academic home at The Ohio State University at Lima and graduated with a Bachelor Science in Education in 1996 and a Master of Education in 1997.
Her specialty was early childhood education and she began her career at Bellefontaine City Schools as a second-grade teacher before moving into the gifted program. She also currently serves as the advanced placement coordinator and Model United Nations advisor at BHS.
In addition, Ashley Blackburn will receive the 2021 Early Achievement Award.
Successful Early Achievement Award nominees are advocates for the university and have demonstrated distinctive achievement in a career, civic involvement, or both. The Early Achievers have successfully completed at least one term of full-time study at Ohio State Lima and graduated not more than 10 years before the award.
Blackburn earned her Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences in 2011 after completing all her coursework at The Ohio State University at Lima. After graduation she saw a need for home care services that allow individuals to live independently as they age.
In 2012, Blackburn founded Aspire Home Health Services in Cridersville to meet that need. Since then, the company has grown to employ more than 40 people and serve patients at every age and every stage of life.
Blackburn has also actively engaged with her community, serving through both the Wapak Rotary Club and the Wapakoneta Chamber of Commerce. She generously opens her business and herself to Buckeyes seeking internships and information about home health services.
As part of Homecoming Week 2021, OSU Lima will celebrate Horvath and Blackburn at the 2021 Alumni Awards Ceremony in the Reed Hall Cafeteria.
The ceremony starts at 5:30 p.m. on Facebook Live at https://www.facebook.com/ohiostatelima/