Interviewed by Liz Gordon-Hancock
Nicole Renee McConnahea grew up in Van Wert county, and graduated from Lincolnview High School. She got her Bachelor's in Organizational Communication, with a Marketing minor from Ball State University. She is married to Matthew McConnahea, and they have three children, ages 7, 5 and 2.
Note: Bluffton sixth graders in the 1953-54 school year (graduating class of 1960) created a booklet titled "The Bluffton Story." The following article is part of that booklet, which is now in the history collection at the Bluffton Public Library. This series continues each week on the Icon. By James Luginbuhl and Richard Basinger
Bluffton's first school was located far out in the country from the downtown area of Riley Street. The first school was located on the corner of College Road and Grove Street.
As this year's graduation fast approaches, the Icon looks to past valedictorians of Bluffton High School to inspire this year's graduates as they set sail on adventures unknown.
Many BHS graduates return to their Bluffton roots; that's what Jed Marquart, valedictorian of the class of 1976, did. After studying at Ohio Northern University, and moving down to Dayton to work for Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, he got a job at ONU and moved back.
Jed Marquart is currently Professor of Mechanical Engineering at ONU.
Sophia Smucker, a Bluffton High School junior, is the Icon artist of the month.
She says, "I have taken Art 1, Design 1, and Design 2. After high school I plan to go to Goshen college and extend my career from there.
"This project was one of my favorites as it was to turn someone into a flat painting. There is no editing; it is just a simple picture of my friend who let me paint her. She was walking art."
Vickie Garmon is the Bluffton High School art teacher.
Bluffton Boys & Girls 4-H/Cloverbuds group have had five meetings so far. Enrollment and projects have been entered.
Elections were held in March and are as follows:
Brooklynn Bible - President
Landin Bible- Vice President
Wyatt Moser - Treasurer
Jake Spencer - Secretary
Tanner Bott - Activity Officer
Brooklyn Nance - Health Officer
Joe Spencer and Alex Nance - Safety Officers
Club service project was held on April 12 at Allen County Humane Society, where the group helped and brought donations.
"Just remember that you come from Bluffton, a small Northwest Ohio town that has watched you grow up over the years and they are still going to be here to support you along the way."
As this year's graduation fast approaches, the Icon looks to past valedictorians of Bluffton High School to inspire this year's graduates as they set sail on adventures unknown.
The Icon managed to catch Landon Cluts for a quick chat - he is a valedictorian of the class of 2014.
What activities were you involved in as a BHS student? Feel free to include all your extra-curricular activities, even if they're from church or other organizations, not just school.
