Troy Elwer, operations manager for the Allen County Fair, praised the students’ work. “The kids in the welding and electrical programs are extremely talented individuals, and anyone that took the time to come through Mercy Health Bright Nights this year, it was easy to tell which displays those Apollo kids brought to the table,” Elwer said.

Many Allen County high school students got out of the classroom and into the community today to learn about the critical roles local agencies play in the region. Students with the Allen Lima Youth Leadership program participated in the United Way of Greater Lima Impact Tour. The tour gives students an opportunity to see the effect various United Way-funded organizations have on the Lima community.

Keith Horner, superintendent of Apollo Career Center, said the event is a great way to highlight the programs at the school. “People are very proud of what they’re doing here and what they’re learning here at Apollo, and we want them to be able to show it off. And it’s great for the grandparents to be able to see what we have to offer the students in the community.”

For older students looking into a career in STEM, the Rhodesology camp offered pre-college summer programs that connected 8th graders through juniors in high school with industry professionals to get a look at local opportunities in STEM.

Cleveland’s firsthand account of his time with the 3/25 is now the subject of his book, Mother’s Day, titled after the day his unit was ambushed. Several of his friends were killed or injured in the attack, including Cleveland himself. He said writing the book is his way of keeping their memory alive.

The Bradfield Community Center is now home to the Children’s Defense Fund’s Freedom School, where kindergarten through eighth-grade students will spend the next six weeks learning about both historic and present-day issues through reading and book discussions.