Individuals from Highland County were honored recently at the Region 14/Hopewell Center 35th annual Exceptional Achievement Award Recognition Ceremony at Hillsboro Elementary.

Exceptional Achievement Award recipients were cited for services they have provided this past school year to ensure students with disabilities achieve personal, social or academic goals of the highest standards. This award is a unique recognition since it is granted to a limited number of individuals from throughout the five counties that Region 14/Hopewell serves and is provided by both parents and educators.

The Exceptional Achievement Award winners for Highland County were: Kristie Adams; Lisa Beresford; Nathan Boatman; Fairfield Elementary volunteers Cameron Bales, Ali Ballard, Karen Barrera, Megan Crum, Emma Fouch, Chelsie Hester, Dane Hodson, Madison Miller, Justice Neman and Corey Zimmerman; and Kelli Rowley.

Jasmine Jones, a student in the Lynchburg-Clay Local School District, was honored as the Outstanding Student Award recipient for Highland County. She was nominated in the area of athletics. The outstanding student is selected by special education administrators and acknowledges the achievements of school-age children and youth with disabilities.

Tia Ana McConnaughey, a student in the Lynchburg-Clay Local School District, received the Supplementary Assistance to the Handicapped (SATH) Foundation Scholarship. This award is given to a high school senior who plans to attend post high school study or training. Applicants are asked to submit an essay outlining their life goals and how they plan to achieve those goals.

Additionally, the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) team of Greenfield Middle School received the Bronze Award at the state level this past December for implementing a school-wide PBIS with a high degree of fidelity. They have been able to enhance the school climate and culture in support of students and their academic achievements. The middle school was represented by the following team members: Matt Shelton, Jennifer Dyer, Melissa Murdock and Jaci Raike.

Tom Dean, special education director of Fairfield Local School District, was honored for his years of service in Region 14. Dean will be retiring this summer.

The Region 14 Governing Board and Parent Advisory Council of the Southern Ohio Educational Service Center and Brown County Service Center sponsored the Exceptional Achievement Award Recognition Ceremony. They wish to extend their congratulations to the award recipients who have given the most precious gift of all – themselves.

Submitted by Amy Luttrell, Region 14/Hopewell Center.

Pictured are (front row, l-r) Ali Ballard, Corey Zimmerman, Dane Hodson and Lisa Beresford; (middle row, l-r) Karen Barrera, Madison Miller, Carmeron Bales and Megan Crum; (back row, l-r) Kristie Adams and Kelli Rowley. Not present were Nathan Boatman, Emma Fouch, Chelsie Hester and Justice Neman.

http://www.timesgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2018/04/web1_Achievent-pic1.jpgPictured are (front row, l-r) Ali Ballard, Corey Zimmerman, Dane Hodson and Lisa Beresford; (middle row, l-r) Karen Barrera, Madison Miller, Carmeron Bales and Megan Crum; (back row, l-r) Kristie Adams and Kelli Rowley. Not present were Nathan Boatman, Emma Fouch, Chelsie Hester and Justice Neman.

Pictured, from left, are Tom Dean and Richard Seas, superintendent of the Adams County/Ohio Valley School District.

http://www.timesgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2018/04/web1_Achievement-pic-2.jpgPictured, from left, are Tom Dean and Richard Seas, superintendent of the Adams County/Ohio Valley School District.

Pictured, from left, are Jim Walls, special education director for the Lynchburg-Clay Local School District, Tia Ana McConnaughey and Kara Williams.

http://www.timesgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2018/04/web1_Achievement-pic-3.jpgPictured, from left, are Jim Walls, special education director for the Lynchburg-Clay Local School District, Tia Ana McConnaughey and Kara Williams.

Pictured, from left, are state representative Doug Green; Nick Owens, State Board of Education District 10; Teresa Lewis, field representative for U.S. Representative Brad Wenstup; Jasmine Jones; and Jim Walls, special education director for the Lynchburg-Clay Local School District.

http://www.timesgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2018/04/web1_Achievement-pic-4.jpgPictured, from left, are state representative Doug Green; Nick Owens, State Board of Education District 10; Teresa Lewis, field representative for U.S. Representative Brad Wenstup; Jasmine Jones; and Jim Walls, special education director for the Lynchburg-Clay Local School District.

Pictured, from left, are Jaci Raike, Matt Shelton and Jennifer Dyer.

http://www.timesgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2018/04/web1_Achievement-pic5.jpgPictured, from left, are Jaci Raike, Matt Shelton and Jennifer Dyer. Submitted photos