All Bluffton Icon News

By Karen L. Kier, Pharmacist, ONU Healthwise Pharmacy 

The term “going viral” describes content spreading quickly and broadly across social media. In 2016, Pinkfong, a South Korean entertainment company released a version of a youth song called Baby Shark with an accompanying YouTube dance video. The video has gone viral with 7.04 billion views as of November 2020, 10 billion by January 2022, and an amazing 15.34 billion by November 2024.  

By Cort Reynolds

ELIDA - The visiting Bluffton High Schoolboys basketball team defeated non-league rival Elida 49-44 on February 11.

The Pirates improved to 13-7 overall as they snapped a three-game losing skid. Elida fell to 11-7 after the loss.

The Pirates led 14-13 after the first period. After an 11-6 second stanza, Bluffton stretched their lead to 25-18 at halftime.

Elida captured the third period 16-11 to pull within 36-34 heading into the final quarter. 

Bluffton University will host a Reader’s Theatre, “I Have Not Forsaken the Word of God, ” at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16, in College Hall’s Ramseyer Auditorium. 

The production is directed by Dr. Melissa Friesen, Mary Nord Ignat and Joseph Ignat professor of theatre and communication at Bluffton University, and is based on testimony of Jacques d’Auchy from “Martyrs Mirror.” 

All undergraduate degree-seeking students with at least a half-time load of graded courses whose GPA for the period is no lower than 3.6 are named to the Bluffton University Dean’s List. Students on the Dean’s List whose cumulative GPA, as based on 20 semester hours, is no lower than 3.75 will be indicated as receiving distinction for continued high achievement. 

The following students have been named to the Bluffton University Dean’s List with distinction: 

Jacob Arndt, Marion, Ohio

Chloei Barnett, Wapakoneta, Ohio

Dominic Barry, Brooklyn, Ohio

Matthew Becher, Fishers, Ind.

Marissa Blake, Hilliard, Ohio

Trinity Borgman, Orient, Ohio

Kaden Bowman, Hilliard, Ohio

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Ten Thousand Villages welcomes Haitian artist Jean François Frisnel as the February 2025 Artist of the Month. His paintings will be on display in the Ten Thousand Villages store during the month of February. The public is invited to come to a reception to meet the artist at 2 pm, Saturday, February 22.

In 1979 Frisnel was born in Carrefour, Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He now resides in Lima, Ohio. He says this of his art career:

By Betsi Werling

Bluffton Exempted Village Schools Board of Education met on Monday, February 10. Action included financial and staffing decisions. 

The Board approved additional funding for Teacher Professional Development in the amount of $5,000. 

In Contracts, Assignments and Resignations: 

  • Karna Marquart completed her training and is now approved for 7.5 hour days as an Educational Aide. 
  • Gianna Mallaro is completing her teaching assignment in Guidance Counseling with Mr. Utendorf. 
  • Substitute teachers were approved. 

The Board approved a resolution for work with All Temp Refrigeration to replace the chiller in the Middle School. It is 26 years old and when it needs repairs, it is becoming more costly. It is time to replace it. 

The Board approved the OHSAA membership for the 2025-2026 academic year for the Middle School and High School to participate in the Ohio High School Athletic Association. 

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