PIQUA — Samantha Bensman, Fort Loramie High School Senior, and Joel Gaier, Anna High School Junior, were named the Upper Valley Career Center Students of the Quarter for the fourth nine week grading period.

According to Upper Valley CC Director of Student Services Matt Meyer, Bensman is an Exercise Science Level II major and Gaier is an Electrical Trades Level I major.

Gaier is the son of Scott and Barbara Gaier, of Anna. He was recommended by his Electrical Trades instructor Mr. Jeff Bertke.

“Joel is an active member of class, always the first to volunteer for any task. He is a student athlete at Anna High School and is the model student for others to follow,” Bertke said.

His academic teachers add that Gaier is bright, industrious, motivated and is one of our best students.

Bensman is the daughter of Mark and Jeanine Bensman, of Fort Loramie. She was recommended by her Exercise Science instructor Melissa Williams who shared that Bensman is active in SkillsUSA, Cross Country, Student Senate, Bowling, and is a Student Ambassador.

“Samatha is reliable, honest, and a team player,” Williams said. Her academic teachers also commented that Samantha is reliable, productive, mature, and is a true leader.

Nominations for Student of the Quarter are submitted by career-technical program instructors. Students’ attendance, citizenship, leadership and effort are rated. Each nominee’s academic instructors are asked to rate effort during the nine-week grading period.

Six students earned commendation for their nominations. Students earning an “Award of Merit” designation for Student of the Quarter honors are: Drew Alt, Interactive Media I; Mikaela Baker, Teacher Academy; Nathan Hampton, Horticulture and Landscape Technologies II; Julie May, Interactive Media II; Lindsey Ward, Cosmetology II; and Miranda Storms, Early Childhood Education and Care II.