SIDNEY — Another successful year of academic competition recently ended in Shelby County with the announcement that Sidney High School has been named the 2016 Academia Champion. This is the ninth consecutive year that Sidney has won the competition and the 19th time they have served as champion since the inaugural season in 1975. Russia High School came in second and Botkins High School finished in third place.
Recently Heather O’Donnell, the Superintendent of the Midwest Regional Educational Service Center presented the championship trophy and plaque to the Sidney High School Academia Team.
Academia provides students with a chance to connect their classroom efforts to real world activities as they tackle questions across ten categories: literature, language, fine arts, sports/entertainment, current events, science, math and general knowledge. The competition brings together the area’s top scholars and gives them the opportunity to showcase their intellectual skills.
More than 200 students were represented on the rosters of the nine participating school districts. Sidney’s Match One total of 60 points was the highest weekly score.
Each year, one or two team members from participating schools are presented with a scholarship award. Scholarship funds are made available through the generous contributions of area businesses, industries, community organizations, and individuals.
The following is a list of the 2016 Academia Scholarship winners: Anna, Jace Standley; Botkins, Micah Smock and Damian Metz; Fairlawn, Jacob Caldwell; Fort Loramie, Regan Middendorf; Hardin-Houston, Kaitlyn Ellison; Jackson Center, Abby Dickman; Russia, Emma Vallandingham and Shaelyn Goubeaux; Sidney, Andrew Mitchell and NourEddine Hijazi; and Lehman, Jacob Schmiesing.
Individuals and businesses providing financial support necessary to provide scholarships for the 2016 Academia season included Alvetro Orthodontics, Emerson Climate Technologies, Fort Loramie Education Association, Francis Office Supply, Mann Family Care, Mutual Federal Savings Bank, Russia Education Association, Thermoseal, Dr. Michael and Dr. Teresa Trygstad, Wilson Health Hospital and Greg and Priscilla Wilt.
In addition to financial support, the Shelby County community volunteered over 176 hours in support of the competition. Thirty-four community members served as score keepers, judges, moderators and advisers. Jane Kaufman, Brad Francis, Brad Turner, Jerry Lenhart, Ola Schafer and Marci Langenkamp were moderators for the season.
Questions for this year’s competition were developed by David Jones and Ola Schafer. Ron Nufrio and Jana Barhorst also provided support in the review and preparation of weekly materials.
Academia is yet another example of Shelby County’s commitment to excellence, family values and high quality educational services.
If anyone would like to support Academia by contributing to the Shelby County Academia Fund, checks made payable to: Academia Fund, should be mailed to Midwest Regional Educational Service Center, 129 East Court Street, Sidney, OH 45365.
The primary purpose of Academia is to promote academic competition and enthusiasm for scholarship among students in Shelby County.
