Kalida teen gets technical

KALIDA - The Kalida High School yearbook has provided more than memories for 2008 graduate Karri Clementz. She served as editor her junior and senior years.

"That was definitely the best feeling putting together the yearbook and managing the students," Clementz said. "It was challenging with all new members, teaching everyone, but once you get that yearbook in your hand and see all the finished pages, it's a great feeling."

Clementz said she enjoys the technology involved. She attended three yearbook design camps to learn new skills.

"It was a lot of new learning, but it was also very fun," she said.

"A lot of times, we put together our own layouts, and that adds a little more to our design. This year, we played with color."

Clementz said she plans to use her skills in business. In the fall, she will attend The Ohio State University in Lima.

"I'm going into accounting and business and would love to work in marketing with computers," she said. "It's so much fun designing things and seeing the finished product."

In high school, Clementz served as captain of the Wildcats varsity cheerleading team and participated with the competition squad. She played volleyball and softball and assisted the marching band as a member of the pit crew.

Clementz also served as the vice president and treasurer of the Cats Who Care service club.

"We did recycling every week uptown, bell ringing for the Salvation Army, school fundraisers for various charities and went to the Children's Hospital in Fort Wayne," Ind., she said. "We gave them teddy bears and coloring books. It was always fun seeing their faces."

Clementz said she has enjoyed working with youth. She volunteered as a camp leader in the Girl Scouts.

"My mom has always been a leader, and I'd go to meetings with my sisters, so I've always been around it," she said. "I helped with planning the activities, setting up, working the activities and helping the younger Girl Scouts."

As a 12-year member of the Scouts, Clementz earned a Bronze, Silver and Gold Award. For her Gold Award project, she planned and coordinated a book drive and literacy day at the Kalida branch library for preschool through junior high children.

"We had a coloring contest and crafts for kids, and we had story time. The mayor, the principal, church members and others in the community were there to read to the kids," she said.

"It took me a couple months to get everything planned. It was a lot of work but the best feeling ever to finish my Gold Award and be among the top Girl Scouts in America," Clementz added.

Outside school and scouting, Clementz was a member of the youth group at St. Michael Catholic Church in Kalida and a 10-year member of the Kalida Sew & Sew 4-H club. In addition, she served three years on the Putnam County Junior Fair Board, was a member of the Junior Leaders and volunteered as a 4-H camp counselor.