Labor Day Parade float winners named

LIMA - The many hours and hard work for entries into this year's Labor Day parade have paid off for several local institutions and individuals. Trophy winners have been announced.

Winning best float was Market Street Presbyterian Church; best overall unit: Teamsters Local 908; best antique vehicle: Cairo Fire Department for its fire truck; best classic: Al Saam for his 1964 Corvette; Commissioner's Trophy: Joint Systems Manufacturing Center; Mayor's Trophy: United Auto Workers Local 1219 (Ford); best band: Lima Central Catholic; best color guard: American Legion Post 96; and UAW Director's Trophy: UAW Local 1219.

Local musician defends national championship in drum corps

LIMA - Lima resident Randy Soules and the Star United Mini-Corps successfully defended their two-time Drum Crops Associates national Mini-Corps Championship last weekend in Rochester, N.Y. Soules plays baritone with the group of 18 brass and three percussion players, based out of Indianapolis. They brought home their third first-place Donna Ernst Memorial Trophy.

Star United competed with 10 other units in the competition.

"Winning a national championship in anything is an incredible achievement, but to win three in a row? It was a magical night," Soules said.

Star United's Web page is www.starunited.org.

Area schools and teachers receive Governor's Awards for Science

LIMA - The Ohio Academy of Science selected 73 Ohio schools and 209 teachers to receive Governor's Awards for Excellence in Youth Science Opportunities for their accomplishments during the 2007-2208 school year.

Each school conducted a local science fair with 20 or more students, sent one or more students to one of the Academy's 16 district science days, and involved students in one or more youth science opportunities beyond the classroom.

Area schools receiving honors were St. Charles School and teachers Chari Cook, Bridget Allman and Megan Scheid; Continental High School and teacher Tammy Baker; Fort Jennings High School and teachers Mary Lou Altenburger and Jeff Jostpille; Glandorf High School and teacher Ted Elliott; Miller City High School and teachers Ryan Benroth, Darla Warnecke, Dustin Pester, Denny Mumaw, Toni Rieger and Dave Leader; Ottawa Elementary School and teacher Kris Stechschulte; Ottoville High School and teachers Nancy Kroeger and Krista Schomaeker; and Sidney Lehman Catholic High School and teachers Sister Ginny Scherer, Jenny Weber, Kristine Pax and Tracy Hall.

Lima Senior High School receives college access award

LIMA - Lima Senior High School received the William Over College Access Collaboration Award for its college-access program.

This award goes to a college-access program, resource center or high school dedicated to building collaborative relationships to help more Ohioans access education beyond high school. Lima Senior received its award Aug. 14 at the Ohio College Access and Success Conference in Columbus.

The Lima/Allen County College Access/GEAR UP Program nominated Lima Senior for the award because of the willingness of Lima Senior staff to work with the program.

For more information on the College Access Program, contact Angela Meyer at 419-222-9378 or visit www.ohiocan.org/allen.

William Over was committed to helping more students have the opportunity to attend education beyond high school.