Merry Christmas

Well it is only one week until Christmas day. I hope everyone will enjoy their time off and take time to celebrate with friends and family. Christmas time is always such a hectic time with all the visiting we do, all the meals and the preparation, and of course the presents. This season is also a time to reflect, relax and enjoy. I hope each and everyone of you will find time to do just that. I don't think we will be having a white Christmas this year or have the chance to use those new sleds or ice skates. I have a feeling that it won't be this nice all winter but I have to admit, I sure am enjoying the nice weather we had last weekend and earlier this week.

I know as we get closer to Christmas, a lot of us will experience sadness and excitement. We remember the loved ones who are no longer with us but yet we celebrate with the young ones in our life. I am looking forward to my first Christmas with my little granddaughter Sierra. She is nine months old now and the excitement on her face when she looks at all the lights and decorations is so precious. We must remember to never let the sadness ruin the simple joy of the children. Most of them have not lived long enough to go through the sadness and suffering that us older adults have gone through. I believe we should allow them to see all the brightness, happiness and joy that comes with this season. So of course there will be sad memories but we can also make so many more happy memories for all of those around us. I hope you will take time this vacation to listen to the music, enjoy the company and find time to laugh. I realize many of us have so many traditions that we try to keep up every year, but if those traditions are keeping you so busy that you don't take time to relax, then maybe it is time to re-think those traditions.

I will be taking some time off from this blog until we return to school in January. I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a great New Year. Thanks to all of you who continue to read and enjoy my blog. Enjoy the holidays!!!

A Little Lunch & A Lot of Love

In a recent post, I wrote about our receptionist who makes our students feel welcome and cared for. Well it just so happens that I need to write about another person at our school who also has a wonderful connection with our students. The reason I need to write this blog so soon is because this person is leaving us this Friday. I am talking about Mrs. Marie Bentz. Marie is one of our lunch ladies and will be retiring this Friday. Marie and I started almost the same time here at Vantage. This is Marie's eleventh year serving lunch to our students and it will be a sad day for Vantage when she finally steps away.


Don't get me wrong, I am so happy for Marie and her family. I know she will enjoy her retirement and continue to make the most of every day. The reason she will be missed so much is that Marie doesn't just serve lunch to our students. Every day Marie is also serving smiles, warmth and a whole lot of love to our students. I am sure if you asked Marie about this, she wouldn't even realize that she is doing such a thing. However, I notice and the students notice. I don't even know how Marie does it day after day but she does. She always has a great big smile and treats each student with such respect and warmth. Marie probably doesn't realize the impact she has had on these students but we at Vantage recognize it. I can tell all of you personally that I know firsthand how much a smile or a friendly greeting means to our students. If it is only for that quick moment in the lunch line that they feel loved and respected, then that means the world to them. They feel significant. They feel someone cares. I will also tell you that the students can also recognize when someone is genuine or they are "faking" it. They are not easily fooled. Marie never has to "fake" it. Her love and care is genuine. She has a spirit that just glows with love and compassion. I know that there have been some hard days for Marie in the past year, but she continued to smile and treat the students with love. When I would talk to her about the things going on in her life, she smiled and just simply stated that her family was doing fine and God continues to bless them. What a great attitude and beautiful spirit.

Marie has helped me an awful lot in my job. It is no secret that the counselor often has to deal with issues that can be very difficult and issues that really tug at the heart. Well if I am having a hard day, I know when I go through the lunch line to get my milk, Marie will serve up a smile and ask me how I am doing. I am amazed that her smile can instantly make me feel better and make me realize that everything is going to be okay. I can only imagine how it makes our students feel when so many of them are having a rough day. I think an important lesson we can all take from Marie is this; no matter where you are at in life, no matter what your job, you can make a difference in a persons life. We all can. A friendly good morning or good evening to a fellow student, a smile when we pass by someone in the hall, or even a genuine "how are you doing" can go a long way. Show someone throughout the day that you care, really care (don't fake it), and just see what a difference you make.

Well I just want to say thank you Marie. You have made my years at Vantage that much more enjoyable and you have touched over 4500 students. 4500+ students have been affected by you when you possibly didn't even realize it. You will be missed Marie, but I will remember you always in my heart and you will be remembered always in the hearts of our students. Thank you again for always serving up a little lunch, but an awful lot of love.

Reaching Out To Help

The Building & Grounds program here at Vantage Career Center is helping out the community again. Like in so many years past, the Building & Grounds program reaches out into the surrounding communities to lend a hand and make life where we live a little bit better. I can think of a few things off the top of my head where they have made an impact in our area. They helped with the Van Wert Children's Garden, assisted in turning the old Van Wert armory into the new Wassenberg Art Center and put a roof on a shelter house in the Delphos community. These are just a few of the neat projects that our students work on.

A project that they are now working on, under the leadership of first year instructor Mr. Dave Delano, is completely gutting an old building in Van Wert and preparing it to be a brand new teen center called the Portal 2:20. I am really excited about this project because I believe it is something that is really needed for the youth in this area. The Portal 2:20 is a place just for teenagers. It is a non-profit organization created with a purpose. Their main focus is to create a facility where teens can hang out and spend time socializing with friends in an uplifting and encouraging atmosphere created just for them. They will tell you that they are not a youth center and they are different from most community centers. The Portal is only for teens in grades 6 through 12, and their atmosphere will be (as they say it), a little bit...well...nerdy.

The facility will have various video gaming systems, a stage to show off musical and singing talents, a large screen for movie nights, a concession stand where students can find snacks and drinks, tables, lounge seating, beanbag chairs and more - perfect for cozying up with a good book, finishing up homework, and socializing! BUT, there is more to it than just an activity center. Their purpose is to be a force for good in this community. Many of us are well aware of the struggles teens face today. Even amongst local teens, there are issues with drugs, violence, abuse, sexual promiscuity and other situations. Along with these issues, the Van Wert hospital says that almost 50 out of 1000 teens are coming to the hospital because of pregnancy. The Portal 2:20 will have caring volunteers who can mentor students and help them make better choices in life. Their mission is to help every teen know that they are Loved, Worthy, Valuable...and that they are Enough.

One of the main questions that gets asked is, "Will my child be safe?" The Portal 2:20 answers it this way; "We understand that teen centers have been attempted before in Van Wert. Rest assured, we ARE different. We have done our homework. We have many policies and procedures in place for our volunteers and facility so that while teens from all walks of life are welcome, we will maintain a safe and positive atmosphere free from drugs, violence, and other offenses." They are Christian based but they are not a church or run by a church. They are a stand alone non-profit organization that was started because they believed there was a need, and because they care about our youth. Any and all teens are welcome regardless of their beliefs, ideas, interests or life styles.

If you have further questions, please contact Julie Burk at portal220teencenter@gmail.com. You can follow them on facebook at www.facebook.com/PopcornAndBeanBagChairs or on the web at www.portal220.weebly.com. They are always looking for volunteers and help of any kind. This facility will be located at 108B Zimmerman Ave, next to Young's Trash in the complex at the very end of Main St. in Van Wert.

Christmas All Year Round

One of the magical things about Christmas is that it tends to bring out the best in everyone. Oh I know that we all run into the "scrooges" once in awhile, the people who think Christmas is commercialized and say "bah humbug" to everything. However, I am talking about the genuine kindness we see from so many others. The ones who reach out to help a total stranger or the ones who go out of their way to do something nice for someone else. We see it around the school at this time of year with many of our students. You can truly see the magic of Christmas when you look at all the toys accumulated for the "toss a toy" event and all the money raised by our students for needy families around this area.

I would simply like to take this time to say that there is a certain person around our school who carries this magical attitude of kindness and giving all year round. If you have ever walked in the front door of our building, then you have been met with a very kind greeting and a very warm welcome by our receptionist, Mrs. Diane Mercer. As the school counselor, I take notice of the kindness offered to our students, no matter where or when it happens. I can not tell you how many times I have walked into the front office to see a student who is feeling really lousy. One who is suffering from the flu, a cold, pounding headache or some other ailment. It is during these times that I see Mrs. Mercer very gently and calmly talking to these students and letting them know that they will be okay. She may then offer a glass of water, a piece of candy or anything that may help them until the parents come and pick them up. It is the kind words that make the student feel that they are in the presence of a kind and caring mother or grandmother. The words are healing enough to help ease the students pain or misery until they get picked up to go home.

Many times I have had Mrs. Mercer come to me and inform me that she was talking to a certain student and that they opened up to her about some of the issues and problems going on in their life. They do this because they trust her and they feel comfortable around her. Mrs. Mercer talks to them without any judgement and the student recognizes this. I have seen several students talking with her with tears in their eyes and a lump in their throat. I have also had Mrs. Mercer tell me their stories, with a tear in her eye and a lump in her throat. She does this because she cares and deep down wants to help. It is at this time when the student feels hopeless, that she gives them hope. I appreciate the love and kindness that Mrs. Mercer shows our students. I appreciate that she informs me when someone is hurting and that the students feel comfortable enough to open up to her. I appreciate that we have such an awesome group of staff members here at Vantage that really do care about our students and their well being. I also am glad that when I walk in the building in the morning, that I am greeted with a warm welcome and a friendly smile. I am glad that Mrs. Mercer has taught me that it really can be Christmas all year round. Thanks Diane, you're the best.

Book Fair & Toss A Toy

What an exciting time around Vantage this week. Mrs. Grothouse and her VCC class along with Mrs. Osenga and the Early Childhood class are leading the school's Toss A Toy drive this year. There are many families in the area that need help this season and all of us at Vantage can help. Earlier in the year they held a jeans day to start raising money. This Friday, they will be holding another fund raising event, the ugly sweater day. You must wear your uniform pants. No jeans tomorrow. It will cost you $1 to wear an ugly sweater. Prizes will be awarded based on the most ugly sweater, the ugliest Christmas sweater and the OMG what where you thinking sweater (school appropriate please). It should be a fun day. We are also having a penny stall tomorrow. Remember to fill those buckets with pennies so your instructor will have to count them all during your class, thus stall them from teaching. As always the tree is up on our stage and if you would like to donate a toy, please just drop it off in the sleigh. Vantage has made a huge difference for little kids in the past and we hope to continue this tradition. Please think about donating and enjoy the season!

I also want to remind everyone about the book fair coming to the library starting this Friday. Mrs Knodel has been doing this book fair for a lot of years and what a great success it is. What a great idea for doing some early Christmas shopping. All books are 30% off and there is NO TAX!!!  There will be more books than you could possibly imagine and one that is just right for that special person on your list.  I know the students track their reading time so why not pick up a book you would really enjoy and bury yourself in it over the holidays.

Well that is it for now. Don't forget to stop by the office and say hello and grab a piece of candy out of my freshly stocked bowl. The Christmas decorations are up in the office and waiting for all of you to enjoy. Have a great day!