This will be my final blog on the Callings book by Gregg Levoy. Next month I will publish my last blog of my career. That will be my 233rd and final blog. I will be retiring at the end of the school year and will try to gather my thoughts for the final blog. This month's quote from the book states; "It's not poisonous to do without something we really want, what is poisonous is to pretend that the second-rate is first rate, to pretend that you like your work when you know you're capable of better, to pretend you love what you don't, or don't love what you do." Wow, that is a lot to diges ..read more

 Well I hope everyone had a relaxing Christmas break and enjoyed the time off. I actually took a month off from writing my blog, but with these cold days and evenings, I have found time to get back into it. As you may remember, I have been writing from the book "Callings" by Gregg Levoy. In November, I wrote about how life changes and that it is important not to shelter ourselves from change. Well this month I want to use another quote from the book that is similar but maybe more pointed to our seniors.  The quote is from Brazilian Archbishop Helder Camara and it states: "When your s ..read more

 As I continue my series on the book "Callings" by Gregg Levoy, I will take a quote from that book that has special meaning today. He states, "Life changes. By trying to shelter ourselves from change, we isolate ourselves from living." Any time we have to make a change in life or are faced with a change in something we are used to, it is difficult. It is difficult for many reasons. We can easily find ourselves comfortable in our work situation or in a life situation and we tend to stay there. We contemplate making a change but yet we aren't quite sure of what the outcome will be. We fear ..read more

 I have noticed that while speaking with students this year, many of them say they are afraid of going to college or they are afraid of starting a new job. This is totally understandable and pretty common for a lot of people. Whenever we face something that is not familiar to us, we approach it with apprehension. We are not sure where it will lead us or what the future will look like. I have heard statements like "What if college is a lot harder than high school and I don't make it?", or "What if I get thrown into something at work and I can't handle it?" First of all, I think we need to ..read more

     As I mentioned in my previous blog, I wanted to try something new this year as I write this blog. I wanted to challenge you and have you think about where you are going in life, what career are you choosing for yourself and are you following your calling. My inspiration for this comes from a great friend and mentor I have known for over 18 years now. Mr. Dave Myers was my mentor when I started here at Vantage. He was the school counselor that I would be taking over for the following year. I was privileged to work with him for a full year while I was doing my interns ..read more

 I would like to start out by saying welcome to all of our students for the 2023/2024 school year. I am excited to welcome back our seniors and also to meet all the new juniors this year. I have to admit that it has been awhile since I wrote my last blog. I just feel that I got so busy with everything going on that I just never took the time to write very much last year. I have promised myself that I will try to write a new blog at least once a month.  I am hoping that our seniors have a great year and accomplish everything they set out to do. This year will go by very fast for you ..read more

 The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. The main goal of SAMHSA is to make sure that people with, or affected by, or at risk for mental health and substance use conditions receive care, thrive and achieve well-being. I believe they have one of the most comprehensive websites for mental health care and drug abuse care that I have ever explored. I hope you will take a look at their website (SAMHSA.gov)  a ..read more

 People often talk about the holiday blues or feeling depressed around the holiday season. There is a reason for this. Television, radio and advertisements try to make it feel like everyone is having a "hallmark" type of Thanksgiving or Christmas. If we aren't celebrating like they are on TV, then something must be wrong. If you have been watching any of the movies on the Hallmark channel, you will notice a certain theme. It seems like it is always snowing and people are taking sleigh rides through beautiful parks that are all lit up with Christmas lights. The Christmas music is playing ..read more

 Christmas is that time of year when people are looking forward to some time off, gathering with friends and family or just taking it easy over the break. Small children are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Santa Claus and the stores are jam packed with people looking for a great bargain. Well speaking of great bargains...I want to inform you that the Media Center Book Fair is right around the corner. The book fair will start this Friday, December 2nd and run through the 9th of December. This is one event that I look forward to each year. First of all, I love reading. Second, I find it ve ..read more

  Recently at Vantage Career Center, we had the opportunity to select our Junior Rotarians for the year. Each year the Rotary club of Van Wert allows a select group of students from Van Wert High School, Lincolnview High School, Crestview High School and Vantage Career Center to participate in their weekly Rotary meetings. Vantage is allowed to send two students each month to their meetings. It is a great opportunity for the students to network with a wide variety of business professionals and gain a vast amount of knowledge. The students will also be eligible to apply for a four year sc ..read more