Five adult mentors who accepted 2017 Outstanding Leadership Awards during the Logan County Youth Leadership Graduation Program were filled with gratitude and emotion Tuesday as they accepted the accolades bestowed on them by high school pupils from around the county.
The teacher, principal and community member recipients Ron and Judy Helmlinger, Dave Coburn, Chris Bair and Karen Young said it was a true honor coming from the students they care so much about and have poured their time into. They were recognized at the ceremony at the Bellefontaine First Church of God, 1000 E. Brown Ave., during which 15 high school seniors also received graduation certificates for the leadership program.
“Many other teachers at Ben Logan could be standing where I am today up here at the podium,” said Bair, a Benjamin Logan High School health and physical education teacher, who was selected by BLHS students in the program. “I’m so honored and humbled to be here today.”
“While I’ve lived in Marysville for 31 years, I hold all of you in Bellefontaine very close to my heart,” Young said while wiping away a few tears. The Bellefontaine Middle School family and consumer sciences teacher retires after this school year. “This means so much to me.”
For DeGraff area couple Mr. and Mrs. Helmlinger, Riverside Youth Leadership pupils said the pair shine in the community through their many volunteer efforts, including their assistance with the DeGraff Country Fair and helping with organizing the annual Veterans Day assembly at the school.
“They show their leadership with all of their volunteer work; they help others whenever possible. They show us what hard work and dedication are all about,” pupils said while introducing the couple. “They have inspired not only our community, but also all of the kids at the school as well.”
Complete story with photos in Wednesday’s Examiner.
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