SIDNEY — Jessica Guillozet, community connections facilitator for the Shelby County Board of Developmental Disabilities, addressed the Kiwanis Club of Sidney, Jan. 11, and shared a speech she made during the Sidney Christian Academy Faith Banquet.

Guillozet wanted to tell what life meant to here before and after attending Christian Academy. She spoke of being challenged but also how important family ties and a strong community meant to her.

During sixth grade, prior to attending Christian Academy, Guillozet said she was struggling academically and socially in school. She was also being bullied. Her mother, who Guillozet termed her “rock,” discussed transferring schools during seventh grade. Guillozet graduated from Christian Academy with the class of 2005.

Guillozet planned to attend cosmetology school in Columbus. However, as she was driving to Columbus to sign the lease on an apartment, she had a feeling that something was not right. She made it as far as Bellefontaine before turning around and heading for home.

“I felt God wanted me to stay in Sidney,” she said.

A couple of years later, she had a child out of wedlock. She knew this was wrong but asked for God’s forgiveness. It was her time at Christian Academy and the support she received that proved to her that many people cared.

“The school could have turned their back on me, but they still loved and supported me,” she said.

She later married Frank Guillozet, and she had a second child in 2014. She feels her husband married into a “package deal” and say they now have an “imperfectly, perfect family.”

“I also love my Kiwanis family. They give me a sense of family, comfort and security,” she said.

Prior to the program, President Scott Smith called the meeting to order. It was reported that Kiwanis won the Red Kettle Challenge over the local Rotary club. Ringing the bell for the Salvation Army, Kiwanis collected $2,422 vs. $1,142 for Rotary.

A joint meeting between Kiwanis and Rotary is being planned for Feb. 6.

The following members were recognized for perfect attendance: Merrill Asher, Jenny Bruns, Jessica Guillozet, 1 year; Scott Smith, 2 years; Ed Ball, Jim Stevenson, 3 years; Bob Guillozet, Phil Warnecke, DiAnne Karas, 7 years; Jake Romaker, 8 years; Bob Anthony, 12 years; Mike Tangeman, 15 years; Gary Carter, 16 years; John Coffield, Ray Weber, 19 years; Rick Lunsford, Ralph Bornhorst, 23 years.