R.K. Thompson award finalists named

Van Wert Service Club information

Five area senior boys and girls have been selected for the 2014 R.K. Thompson Self Reliance Award, according to Breanne Sudduth and Andy Gearhart, co-chairs of the Van Wert Service Club’s Selection and Banquet Committee. The awards banquet will be held  Tuesday, April 29, for the program, which provides cash awards to Van Wert County High School seniors who best exhibit the trait of self-reliance.  The awards are designed to seek out and honor students who do the best with what they have.

This year’s boy finalists are: Randall C. Burnett, son of Rick and Kim Burnett; Lucas L. Gibson, son of Berry and Angie Gibson; Adam J. Jurczyk, son of Tim and Michelle Jurczyk; Adam J. Long, son of Stephen and Donna Long; and Dalton T. West, son of Thomas and Joy West.

Burnett is a senior at Lincolnview High School where he is Vice President of choir, President of the Quiz Bowl team, reporter for Student Council and member of Beta Club and National Honor Society. After graduation he plans on attending Rhoades State for an Associate’s degree in business before moving on to a larger school.  Currently he is employed at McDonald’s in Van Wert.

Gibson is a senior at Crestview High School where he is involved in National Honor Society, varsity basketball, Future Farmers of America, Academic Red Club and Personal Finance Team Challenge.  After graduation he plans on pursuing a degree in Management from Bowling Green State University.  Currently, he is employed by Gibson Construction and GTB Masonry in Convoy.

Jurczyk is a senior at Vantage Career Center/Van Wert High School where he is involved in Auto Body, varsity golf and swim, National Technical Honor Society, is a student ambassador and a “blue chipper”.  After graduation he plans on working at Tecumseh Packaging in Van Wert, while also attending post-graduate classes at Vantage in electrical technology. Currently he is employed by Laurie’s Naturescapes and personally maintains numerous lawns.

Long is a senior at Van Wert High School where he is involved in Beta Club, German Club, National Honor Society and the band.  After graduation he plans on attending Rhodes State to major in computer programming.  He currently has taken a very active role in his high school band’s percussion section.

West is a senior at Lincolnview High School where he is involved in track and field, Beta Club, Scholastic Bowl, Art Club and marching band.

After graduation he plans on attending Rhodes State to achieve acceptance to the University of Toledo Medical School to earn a medical degree in pediatric medicine. He has been employed at the Van Wert YMCA, serving in various roles.

This year’s girl finalists are Rachel Kaye Gordon, daughter of Scott Gordon and the late Betsey Gordon; Holly Anne Hammond, daughter of Joel and Julie Hammond; Jordan Olivia Ludwig, daughter of Kim Ludwig and Jeff Ludwig; Chelsi J. Siefker, daughter of Rodney and Paula Stout; and Rebecca Lynn Welker, daughter of Jeff and Roberta Welker.

Gordon is a senior at Van Wert High School where she is captain of the soccer team, President of Service Pack, member of BETA Club, plays softball, is a class representative, and is Vice President of National Honor Society.  After graduation she plans on attending college and major in business finance.  She is currently employed at Rocky Top in Van Wert.

Hammond is a senior at Van Wert High School where she is captain of the swim team, a member of National Honor Society, participates in Project Lead the Way and is a tech assistant for the web design class at VWHS. After graduation she plans on attending the University of Toledo to major in engineering.  She is currently employed at Wild Willy’s and babysits.

Ludwig is a senior at Lincolnview High School, where she is vice president of National Honor Society, secretary of Beta Club, president of the Senior Class and a member of varsity soccer and cheer. After graduation, she plans on attending Wright State University for nursing. Currently, she is employed at Sycamore Ice Cream in Van Wert and teaches dance at Kim Hohman DanceWorks.

Siefker is a senior at Crestview High School where she is a member of National Honor Society, varsity cheerleading, FCA, gymnastics and Big Brothers Big Sisters. After graduation she plans to attend St. Francis University for a degree in nursing. Currently, she is employed at Bob Evans Restaurant in Van Wert.

Welker is a senior at Van Wert High School, where she is a member of Beta Club, Service Pack, band and Drama Club.  After graduation she plans on attending Bowling Green State University to major in early childhood education. She is currently employed at Hatcher Law Office in Van Wert.