Choose your location
By KELLY KACZALA,
Courtney Baker had always wanted to be a surgeon, but that dream seemed too daunting.
āThat path felt terrifying. Itās so big, unapproachable, and I almost gave up,ā said Ms. Baker, one of 10 students who received scholarships from Junior Achievement of Northwestern Ohio at a luncheon on Wednesday at Lourdes University Franciscan Center in Sylvania.
After hearing a speech at a Junior Achievement Senior Experience assembly, she no longer felt intimidated.
āEverything just clicked,ā she said.
āI knew at that moment I needed to join this organization. I didnāt know what was going to come out of it, but something was just pulling me. I knew I needed hands-on experience,ā said Ms. Baker, a graduate of the Toledo School for the Arts.
She signed up for as many site visits as possible at a local hospital, where she got to observe surgery.
āThe moment the blade hit the patientās skin, I knew that surgery was what I wanted to go into. I'm eternally grateful for the Junior Achievement program. Iām so excited for all the connections Iāve already made. It was an incredible experience,ā she said.
āIt helped me turn a daunting dream into a tangible, exciting reality,ā Ms. Baker said.
Agnishekhar Basu Sarkar, from Perrysburg High School, expressed his gratitude to Junior Achievement for his scholarship.
This fall, he plans on attending Ohio State University and majoring in biomedical engineering on a pre-med track, he said.
āThe Junior Achievement scholarship means very much to me because it will cover much of my tuition and allow me to focus on and pursue my studies with a much lighter financial burden,ā he said.
Through the Greater Toledo Community Foundation, Junior Achievement of Northwestern Ohio awarded a total of $100,000 in scholarships to 10 high school seniors and JA 5th-year graduates.
āI wake up every day inspired to educate, mentor, and influence young people to find their purpose and path in life, learn how to live debt-free, and leave a legacy,ā said Jim Pollock, president of Junior Achievement of Northwest Ohio.
āWeāre blessed to hand out scholarships to well-deserving young people in our region who are about ready to launch their next phase in life,ā he said.
The scholarship recipients were selected based on their academic excellence, active involvement in Junior Achievement programs, and written reflections on how their Junior Achievement experiences shaped their personal and professional goals.
āI can tell you firsthand we had a number of very highly qualified applicants,ā said Jamey Messer, leader of the scholarship committee in Junior Achievement. āIt was extremely difficult, but extremely fun.ā
Mr. Messer said he jumped at the chance to be part of the scholarship committee.
āGiving away money is a lot of fun, but we really had to put some thought into what we were looking for. What criteria would we use to reward people? Among the things we thought of were activity and participation in JA, understanding and seeing how their participation in JA shaped their career path, and overall, who embodied what JA stands for. Those three things were really important to us. The folks that earned the scholarships embodied exactly that,ā he said.
Besides Ms. Baker and Mr. Basu, scholarship recipients included Ryan Arnold, Columbian High School; Shambhavi Brahme, Paisley Dusseau, Sawyer Scheff, and Jevaun Thomas from Perrysburg High School; Robert LeBlanc and Luke Mohler, St. Francis de Sales High School; and Paisley Nolan, JA 5th Year Program.
āThese outstanding students exemplify the mission and values of Junior Achievement,ā said Mr. Pollock. āTheyāve demonstrated leadership, ambition, and a commitment to shaping a successful future. Weāre proud to invest in their continued education.ā
Junior Achievement is a program that tries to fill a gap for students who are unsure what their career, college, and future path is, said Mr. Messer.
āItās a series of events and conferences and games and tools people can select to participate in. Itās up to students to decide how much they want to get out of Junior Achievement. The ones who have chosen to participate have gotten a tremendous amount out of it,ā said Mr. Messer.
Loading editor…
Sandy Paws Rescue Inc., a foster-based dog rescue in Massachusetts, recently introduced a 5-year-old Pomeranian named Karl Lagerwoof, who is capturing hearts. The 12-pound furry friend, who was named after the famous fashionista, is described as "very friendly" and "pretty calm," though he "does get excited about meeting new people or finding a new toy," according to the rescue organization. One of Karl's most endearing habits, which has become an adorable quirk, is his love for collecting toys and arranging them in his personal space.
People wonder why AMBER Alerts are not issued for every missing child. It's because they are issued for the most serious child-abduction cases. Go here for more information. As of July 11, 2025, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), there are 25 missing children in Missouri, including a recent missing teenager since July 4, 2025.
This article was originally published on DadisFIRE. AI was used for light editing, formatting, and readability. But a human (me!) wrote and edited this. The Bible isnāt just spiritual. The Bible is also packed with practical financial wisdom thatās often more useful than the latest money trends.
SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS POSSIBLE SATURDAY JULY 19TH 2025 ACROSS INDIANA ILLINOIS OHIO MICHIGAN. CITES INCLUDE CHICAGO IL, DETROIT MI, CLEVELAND OH, TOLEDO OH, COLUMBUS OH, FORT WAYNE IN, LANSING MI.
This article was originally published on ChaChingQueen.com, a site my wife and I own. AI was used for light editing, formatting, and readability. But a human (me!) wrote and edited this.
This article was originally published on ChaChingQueen.com, a site my wife and I own. AI was used for light editing, formatting, and readability. But a human (me!) wrote and edited this.
Meet Freeda, a 2-year-old dog described as "the sweetest Yorkshire Terrier out there," who is now available for adoption through Sandy Paws Rescue Inc., a foster-based dog rescue organization in Massachusetts. Despite her difficult past in a neglectful and at times abusive household, the 13-pound terrier has made remarkable progress in her foster home. "Initially, she may be a bit shy but with some decompression time, she will get to trust you," according to Sandy Paws Rescue. "Once she starts feeling at home, she will be all smiles for you."
A dedicated rescue in New England is desperately looking for dog lovers with room in their hearts and homes to help them save furry friends who are in need of a second chance at life. Massachusetts-based Sandy Paws Rescue Inc., a licensed 501(c)(3) nonprofit dog rescue, has issued an urgent call for foster homes for dogs who are in need of a place to call home until their forever family finds them.
A two-year-old French Bulldog mix with a vibrant personality is still searching for her forever home through Sandy Paws Rescue Inc., a foster-based dog rescue organization in Massachusetts. Suki, weighing 22 pounds, has blossomed during her time in foster care, where she's developed a love for outdoor adventures and human companionship. "She loves to be around people and get attention!" reports the local rescue. "She's made quite a few friends around the neighborhood and soaks up all the outdoor time she can get with her foster mom."
Great Dog Rescue New England (GDRNE), a dedicated foster-based dog rescue in Massachusetts, would like you to meet Crazy Hair Harry, a remarkable 9-week-old puppy came into rescue after being found in a very unlikely spot. āThis scruffy boy was found as a stray in Mississippi and was found in a dead tree trunk where he had been living and struggling to survive,ā reports GDRNE. āHe was so scared at first, and we are so lucky we found him when we did!ā Now living safely in foster care, Harry no longer needs to struggle or be afraid, and he has been thriving.
As smoke from Canadian wildfires drifted across North America, and western U.S. states girded for their annual fire siege, Neeta Thakur was well into her search for ways to offset the damage of such fumes on peopleās health, especially among minority and low-income communities.
Great Dog Rescue New England (GDRNE), a dedicated foster-based dog rescue in Massachusetts, would like you to meet Rose, a loving two-year-old Beagle and Hound mix who is eagerly searching for her forever home. No information about the circumstances of her rescue was given on Roseās Petfinder profile besides that she is from Tennessee. At some point, she found her way into Great Dog Rescue New Englandās care, and they subsequently placed her with a loving foster family. Now thriving at her foster home, Rose is ready and waiting for the next chapter of her life to begin.
A gentle giant with a heart to match her impressive 137-pound frame is winning over volunteers at Sandy Paws Rescue Inc. in Massachusetts. Rihanna, a 2.5-year-old Boerboel, is currently in foster care while the rescue works to find her the perfect forever home with experienced owners.
There are about 167 historic properties and districts, including one National Historic Landmark in Ada County, Idaho. I used to live in Idaho as a child and it is a beautiful state. One of the historic places is the Alexander House at 304 West State Street in Boise.
This article was originally published on DadisFIRE. AI was used for light editing, formatting, and readability. But a human (me!) wrote and edited this. Contrary to what college brochures suggest, a lot of millionaires never needed a diploma to make real money. They built wealth through trade skills, smart moves, and taking control instead of chasing credentials.