April Lions Club Student of the Month is Dillon Henry, son of Brenda and Eric Henry.  

Dillon is currently ranked in top one third of the Senior class and sports a 3.2 GPA while enrolled in a schedule of predominantly college level courses. 

For his Sophomore, Junior, and Senior years Dillon has been scheduled at EHOVE and is a fine example of a student making the most of his opportunities. As a member of the Robotics team, he and his teammates were able to achieve a top 10 finish in the State Regionals last year.  The team was primed to surpass last year’s performance when this year’s event was cancelled.  Dillon previously earned AutoCAD certification and is currently working toward Computer Integrated Manufacturing certification.  He has also been a two year member of the Drone Racing Team.

Outside of academics, Dillon has been a Cedar Point employee for the past two years, and will return for a third year in the leadership role of Area Supervisor.  Dillon also finds time to volunteer with his mother in the Serving Our Seniors program in Sandusky, and as a Biddy Wrestling Camp Instructor during wrestling season.

As a four-year Varsity letterman in Wrestling, Dillon was chosen as captain of the team this year, and finished as a District qualifier in the 152-pound weight class.  He was also named third team All Lorain County for wrestling this season.

Dillon plans to continue his education at college next year, with The University of Toledo being one of his top  choices.  Congratulations to Dillon on his fine accomplishments and for representing his family, school, and teams remarkably well.

Lion’s Club February Student of the Month, Claudia Wilson, is the perfect example of a student making the most of her high school years. She is involved in many things in school, out of school, and in the community.

As a student, she is currently taking the majority of her classes at Lorain Community College.  She sports a solid 3.74 GPA which ranks her as 22nd in her class. Her academic work has earned her the Sandusky Bay Conference Scholar Athlete Award, Lorain County Scholar Athlete Award, Track Scholar Athlete Award (twice), and State of Ohio Scholar Athlete Award.  Claudia is also a member of National honor Society, and is active in GSA and Move 2 Stand.

As an athlete, Claudia has been named Captain of the Soccer team, the basketball team and the track and field team.  She earned 4 varsity letters in soccer, 4 in track and field, 2 in basketball, 3 marching band letters, and is a two-time Golden Plume award winner.  She has been named to Sandusky Bay Conference teams, All-Lorain County teams, all district teams, and was named Co-Defensive Player of the Year in soccer.  She is also the Drumline Section leader and a member of the pep band.

Outside of school, Claudia volunteers at United Church of Christ, Grace’s Kitchen, coaching with the youth basketball program, Operation Christmas Joy, Vermilion Food Bank and the newly formed Sailor Cuisine Food Pantry Program.  She has been instrumental in creating three food drives and several special admission nights for girls’ soccer and basketball.  In fact, she is currently setting up yet another program for student help.

Watching this young lady negotiate through the hallways and athletic fields of Vermilion High School, one can truly see a person who is committed to a cause, well-versed in understanding her responsibility to the greater good of those around her, and dedicated to making herself a better student, a better athlete and a better citizen.  Claudia is the daughter of Julie and Brian Wilson.

January Student of the Month is Haley Ritchie, a wonderful young lady who, with a GPA of 3.71, is ranked in the upper 15% of her graduating class. It is worth noting that this honor was earned while completing several honors and AP classes.  The result of this academic excellence is that Haley has been honored with the Academic Award of Excellence, AP Scholar Award, and Model UN Outstanding Position Paper Award.  She has also received the Golden Plume award twice in her career with the Sailor Marching Band for leadership and skill and earned a place in the Honors Band.  

At VHS, Haley is a member of National Honor Society, Leo Club, Book Club, Student Council, and Speech and Debate. She was chosen as a representative to Buckeye Girls State, and was nominated for a BGS scholarship, an honor bestowed on only 20 of the 900 participants.  She has also been an OMEA large group contest winner and served as Sailor Marching Band Vice-President and President.  She is active in the VHS musical and drama productions as well.

When she is not dazzling others with her intellectual abilities and talents, Haley finds time to volunteer at the Second Harvest Food Bank and the Erie County Humane Society. One might also find her working as a volunteer researcher at Old Woman’s Creek, and, just to keep her life interesting, she is a reservation agent at Cedar Point Amusement Park.

When asked about Haley, National Honor Society advisors Kellie Pancost and Michael D’Egidio both agreed, “She is extremely focused and organized, as well as being dedicated and hard working.  She is very giving of her time and is a wonderful young lady.”  Her other teachers added the words “determined” and “involved”.

Haley Ritchie is daughter of Julie and Scott Ritchie, pictured here with Lions Club liaison Bill Decker.

Lion’s Club Student of the Month for December is Rachel Miller, a young lady of excellent character and ability, who is active in both school and community.

Academically she is at the top of her class, ranked at number one with a hefty 4.56 GPA. Rachel has been the reigning Mathematics Department Student of the Year for the last four years and was named Outstanding English Department Student of the Year the last three years.  She has been on the Distinguished Honor Roll - which is all A’s - for four years at Vermilion.  She was named AP Scholar with Honor and achieved the Athletic Scholar Award during her Freshmen, Sophomore and Junior years.  To top off her academic awards, she is also a VFW Americanism and Democracy Contest Winner.

As recognition for her academic prowess, she was accepted into National Honor Society, where she functions as the Vermilion High School Chapter President, and is a member of the Vermilion High School Academic Challenge team.  Rachel is also active in Link Crew, Peer Leadership, Big Buddies, Move 2 Stand and Teen Leadership Corps.  She has been voted by her fellow classmates to the position of Treasurer of the Senior Class and Vice-President of Student Council.

Outside of school, she is employed at the Arabica Coffee Bistro, volunteers with the Vermilion Athletic Boosters and works at the Stride Mobility Group, which makes custom wheel chair and mobility devices.

When sharing her thoughts on what teachers might say, she responded with “kind and hardworking, outgoing and a leader.”  Several of her teachers and advisors agree and added, “Rachel is a great person who is down to earth and willing to do the little extra to make a difference in her studies, in her life and in the lives of those around her.Rachel is the daughter of Becky and Fred Miller. Pictured is Rachel with her parents and Lions Club liaison Bill Decker. 

Student of the Month for November is Joshua Parsons, a student who represents the hard work and dedication of many students at Vermilion High School. He is not only a solid student, but he is a highly regarded member of the student body.

As a student, Josh ranks 17th in his class of 160 and sports an impressive 3.831 GPA. He has been chosen for membership in the National Honor Society and the French National Honor Society. He was also chosen as the school representative for Buckeye Boys State, was named Student of the Year in French, and has been on the Honor Roll and High Honor Roll throughout his time at VHS.

Outside the classroom, Josh is an active member of Leo Club, and is involved in the many community activities they sponsor.  Hh is also part of the Peer Leadership class, and participates in Teen Leadership Corp. Outside of school, Josh is member of the Student Council for the Erie County Community Foundation, a group focused on service and community involvement in hopes of improving the lives of the residents of Erie County.

Many of Josh’s teachers commented on his commitment to school work and his confident personality. Several also remarked that he was a shining example of a teenager who is going to make something of himself.

Joshua is son of Kim and John Parsons.

Lion’s Club October Student of the Month is Emma Haber.  She is a well-rounded young lady with many different interests and abilities.  Emma sports a 4.38 GPA and currently ranks third in her class. As a scholar, she is a member of National Honor Society and was awarded an Academic Letter.  Emma won Outstanding Department Student of Year in Social Studies, Instrumental Music, English, Science, and Foreign Language.  She was recognized with both Bronze and Silver Medals in the American Legion Local and County Americanism and Government Contests, and is an Advanced Placement Scholar as a result of classroom performance. 

When she isn’t studying and working in the classroom, she is busy with school activities. In Varsity Track, Emma has won three varsity letters to this point in her career, and also participates in volleyball and indoor (winter) track. She is a member of the Sailor Marching Band and Concert band, and has competed in Model United Nations competitions and showcases.

Outside of school, Emma spends time volunteering at Vermilion Elementary School and working on service projects for Track and National Honor Society, such as cleaning up the beach and donation drives.

Teachers and advisors say that Emma is a hardworking and diligent student, with an amicable personality and  a pleasant spirit.  One of her teachers characterized Emma as “… a good-hearted person, confident in her abilities, and determined to be a success”. 

Emma is the daughter of Michelle and Scott Haber.  

The first Lions Club Student of the Month for the 2019-2020 school year is Jasmine Young. Jasmine is a successful and impressive Senior who is involved in many clubs and groups both in and out if school.

As a student, Jasmine is a member of Vermilion Book Club, the Fiction Club, the Chess Club and Leo Club. She is also an active member of Model United Nations and Student Council.  Jasmine has been accepted into National Honor Society, and assists with peer tutoring and other community service events. She is also active in Vermilion High School Marching and Concert bands.

At VHS, Jasmine was awarded the Advanced Placement Scholar designation, given to students who have shown academic excellence in Advanced Placement (AP) coursework. She is also a participant in Buckeye Girl’s State. To expand her education in science she attended a Zoology camp at Malone University.  Currently Jasmine is ranked 26th in her class and sports a 3.7 GPA while taking several college and AP level courses.

Outside of school, she volunteers her time working with shelter animals and assisting with her family business, Tiffany’s Flowers. She also was the President of her confirmation class while at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Vermilion.

Jasmine is a great example of a young girl who has found her niche in society and has blossomed in that role. She is well-regarded by her teachers, who described her as “hard-working”, “ambitious” and “intelligent”.  Her nominating teacher echoed these sentiments and added, “She is a fine young lady, worthy of this honor. She is super creative and a unique thinker.”

Congratulations to Jasmine and her parents, Ms. Jamie Enderle and Mr. Eddie Young.

Madison Colahan is this year’s final Lion's ClubStudent of the Month. Her selection is based on the culmination of effort and work in the classroom and on the athletic field throughout the school year.

As a student, Maddie sports a 3.587 GPA, has consistently been on the honor roll, and is currently 41st in her class. She also is actively involved with numerous school groups, including National Honor Society, Move2Stand, Student Council, Principal’s Advisory Committee, VIA social media group and Art Club.  With her academic honors, Maddie was also selected as a participant in Buckeye Girl’s State.

Despite Maddie’s involvement in numerous co-curricular activities and groups, she excels even more in volleyball, basketball and track.  As a member of the record setting volleyball team, she was chosen to serve as captain for two years. She has been awarded Junior 1st team all-Lorain County, 3rd team District 6, and Sandusky Bay Conference Honorable Mention.  As a Senior, Maddie received District 6 First Team and Sandusky Bay Conference First team.  As a basketball player, she received Lorain County Honorable in her Junior year, and first team Lorain County, District 6 Division 2 Honorable Mention and 2nd team Sandusky Bay Conference in her Senior year. She also ranks near the top in career rebounds for girls’ basketball.  

When Maddie isn’t hitting the books, spiking a volleyball or rebounding a basketball, she finds time to volunteer at various basketball and volleyball camps. She worked as a volunteer at “A Night To Shine”, which was a prom night for children with special needs. She also finds time to work at Romp’s during the summer months. 

Many teachers would classify Maddie as helpful, conscientious and positive. As her NHS advisor and teacher, Mr. D’Egidio said that she is the kind of young woman Vermilion can be proud of, who represents her school, her community, and most importantly, her family with the greatest of pride and respect.

Maddie’s family includes her parents Aimee and Brett Colahan, sisters Camryn and Kaitlin and brother Trey.