The Leadership Tuscarawas class graduates May 15

The Leadership Tuscarawas Class of 2018 will present the results of their community projects at the graduation celebration on May 15.

At the graduation celebration, 16 class members sponsored by small businesses, corporations and nonprofit organizations in Tuscarawas County will be recognized for their achievements in the 10-month leadership development program.

Each year the Leadership Tuscarawas Signature Class is assigned community projects focused on making progress in Tuscarawas County. Throughout the program, class members work with project partners and other community members to complete their projects.

This year’s class was divided into four groups, each assigned to one of the following: Anti-Drug Coalition Project, Anti-Human Trafficking Project, Thrive Tusc Photo Voice Project and the Opiate Task Force Project. Each group will present the results of their projects at the graduation celebration. Leadership Tuscarawas alumni and member of the board, Matt Andreas of Andreas Farms also will speak during the event.

In addition to completing community projects, Leadership Tuscarawas class members attend monthly program days focused on servant leadership, community awareness and involvement, and a variety of other leadership principles. This year’s program days were facilitated by Sarah Andreas, director of operations and training at Adventure Harley Davidson in Dover.

“The sponsors all sent extraordinary people who I watched become more aware of themselves, leadership, and the opportunities and challenges our community faces,” Andreas said. “It was exciting to see individuals connect with each other through Leadership Tuscarawas. I believe many of these connections will last long into the future.”

Leadership Tuscarawas class members have the opportunity to network and learn from each other and community leaders who are invited to present at monthly program days. Topics of the program days include agriculture, manufacturing, tourism and government, among others. Each year class members take a bus tour of Tuscarawas County, visit local businesses, and tour the Tuscarawas County Jail and Juvenile Attention Center.

“I have had a wonderful experience with the Leadership Tusc group this year,” Leadership Tuscarawas class member Aaron (Phebe) Stull of Allied Machine & Engineering said. “We have an exciting group who have become like family. We learn together and laugh together. I have been most impressed with the community involvement and learning so many of the ins and outs of our county that I never knew existed. If you want to grow as a leader and have a passion for our community, you will absolutely love this opportunity.”

I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience in the Leadership Tuscarawas program," said Dawn LeMay, another class member and of the Commercial and Savings Bank. "It has expanded my knowledge of opportunities in Tuscarawas County, a deeper awareness of the services our county provides, and new networking relationships that will help to grow and service the community in the best way possible. I highly recommend the Leadership Tuscarawas program.”

Members of the graduating class include Joshua Aul, Allied Machine & Engineering; Michelle Bowersock, the First National Bank of Dennison; Trent Edie, Buckeye Career Center; Cassie Glazer, TMK Bakersville and Tuscarawas County Farm Bureau; Mariann Harding, Kent State University at Tuscarawas; Karly Howell, Person Centered Services; Kayla Hutchison, Tusco Display; LeMay, the Commercial and Savings Bank; Stephen Minnick, Kent State University at Tuscarawas; Louis Paris, Tuscarawas County Board of Developmental Disabilities; Andrew Reeves, Eleet Cryogenics; Holly (Ripple) Hillyer, Union Hospital; Laurie Russell, First Federal Community Bank; Wendy Slates, Dover-Phila Federal Credit Union; Stull, Allied Machine & Engineering; and Adam Wilgus, Tuscarawas County Juvenile/Probate Court.

The community is invited to celebrate with the graduating class at the graduation celebration at Kent State University Tuscarawas Founders Hall on May 15 at 5:30 p.m. Hors d'oeuvres will be served before the opening remarks begin at 6 p.m. RSVP to Kim Nathan at KimberlyN@unionhospital.org.