OHS receives grant for community projects

ORRVILLE -- Orrville High School's Health Professionals Affinity Community Club Thursday received a $36,899 check from State Farm Insurance to continue a broad involvement in community projects.

The check was presented to members of the club during a ceremony in front of the school by local State Farm agent Justin Haslip. Haslip was accompanied by other State Farm personnel, including Kim Lust, field community relations specialist, as well as representatives from Rootstown-based NEOMED, which sponsors the school's HPAC program.

According to Laurier Likens, OHS guidance counselor and faculty adviser to the program, the money will be divided between a couple different endeavors.

Part of it, she said, will go toward the development of the Heartland recreational trail into Orrville, and specifically the portion that crosses the Blackwell Williams property adjacent to Orr Park.

Likens said the money will be put toward the purchase of bike racks, benches, the creation of a bike repair station and the painting of a mural about Orrville's history, which cyclists will see as they pedal into town. Other funds will go toward the expansion of the community garden and the construction of a greenhouse and hydroponic growing facility at Orrville High School.

The plan, Likens said, is to use the greenhouse and hydroponic facility as a teaching tool in conjunction with the school's "green roof," with the produce grown there being donated to Friendship Meals and the Salvation Army.

Terry Cline of Northeast Ohio Medical University, adviser to the high school's HPAC program, said the club's "Get Smart and Strengthen Your Heart" program was instrumental in the school's being awarded the grant.

Haslip said State Farm annually awards 65 of the grants across the U.S., and noted that Orrville High School was the only recipient in Ohio this year.

Likens said that of 10 HPAC members who had applied to get into the NEOMED program, six students had been accepted. The program provides a foundation for students considering entering the medical field.

Members of the HPAC club who participated in the check presentation were seniors Kaitlyn Madigan, Kayla Madigan and Mallery Brown; juniors Jessica Eby, Sarah Kline and Courtney Stiffler, and freshman Josh Squirrell.

Also involved was Ethan Tope, HBAC specialist at Americorps at NEOMED in Rootstown.

Reporter Paul Locher can be reached at 330-682-2055, or at plocher@the-daily-record.com.