Local teachers honor graduating seniors

NORWALK — The Huron County Retired Teachers Association salutes all graduates who are planning to become teachers and provides a textbook scholarship to help. Five local seniors — Lydia Chaffee, Kamiah Felver, Kelsey Kilgore, Kennedy Latteman and Lauren Williams — entered HCRTA's Book Fund Scholarship this year to pay for text books the first semester of college. Lydia Chaffee, this year's winner, is a senior at South Central High School. She is committed to Bowling Green State University and is going to major in Education for Science or Mathematics. BGSU is noted for education and that is her mother's school. At first, she had another college in mind, but a trip to BG sealed her choice; "However, when I stepped foot on campus, I felt they wanted me there! My long term goal is to graduate and become a teacher in a small school like South Central. My science teachers worked summers at a nearby animal research facility, which would provide interesting experience. I plan to get married, live in a small community, raise children involved in FFA and 4-H, and maybe coach volleyball or softball." Kamiah Felver, a graduating senior of South Central High School, is also planning on attending Bowling Green State University, but she is becoming a music education teacher. She has taken many College Credit Plus classes to gain college credits while in high school to reach her goal of teaching high school or middle school choir. Even though she was familiar with The Ohio State University, she gave BGSU a visit and found she liked the smaller school, plus friends were also there, and it was close to home. "After getting my degree, I would be working on a master's degree in Music. I have plans to get married and have children. I like Huron County, so I would be interested in a community like my present area. I want to become the teacher who inspires them to follow their passion, to teach them that music is a way in life to cope." Kelsey Kilgore, a graduating senior at Bellevue High School, plans to also attend Bowling Green State University. "I've always had a passion for working with children," she said. "I enjoyed visiting my mother's third grade classroom and working with them." Kelsey is planning on training to work with young children as a Speech and Language Pathologist within a school system. She will start with an elementary education degree and move into advanced training. As evidence of her work ethic, she has used her time well and earned awards and taken advanced classes while still in high school. She has many plans and every day is one step closer to her goals. Kennedy Latteman, a senior at Western Reserve High School, has a strong GPA and the drive to continue her academic successes in college. She has chosen to attend Baldwin Wallace University, as, of all the colleges she considered, "Baldwin Wallace felt like home." She loves education, and intends to pass on that love to her students. She likes learning something new every day and hopes to inspire her elementary students to follow her lead. She wants students to "look forward to each week;" besides school work, she wants to inspire them to enjoy school and learn new things." Miss Latteman will also take classes for Speech-Language Pathology, as there is a need for more qualified instructors. Lauren Williams is a graduating senior of South Central High School with a dream of being an elementary education teacher. Her college choice is Cedarville University, a private school offering a minor in Biblical Education. She says, "Many of my family have graduated from Cedarville and I feel a part of the school already. I have served others in many ways with my church, New London Alliance Church, and also worked with young children. I have taken many college credit classes, attempting to get ahead and save some on costs." Her desire to achieve her goals will be leading her into many avenues and she is excited to be on her way. These graduates are exceptionally qualified for scholarships and awards. They are winners. Anyone who knows them is impressed with their drive and successes. Students who make plans and work hard to achieve are bound to make us proud. Lydia Chaffee will receive $500 toward paying for college books, once the first college semester is completed and her transcripts are received. Congratulations to all great students going into education and special congratulations to Lydia Chaffee. Retired teachers, lend a hand, donate to the HCRTA Book Fund, become a member of HCRTA and join us in looking over the past, supporting the future teachers and meeting your future as a retired teacher.