Tyeshia Ricks, a student at Lima Senior, was selected as the winner of the A.C.E. awards through the Lima Exchange Club.
Dean Brown | The Lima News
LIMA — The Lima Exchange Club presented Accepting the Challenge of Excellence (A.C.E.) awards to 11 area high school seniors. The A.C.E. award recognizes high school students who have made a dramatic change in their attitude and performance sometime during their high school years. These students have often overcome great physical, emotional or social obstacles, yet rarely receive recognition.
Non-traditional high school students can face a variety of challenges that are different from those faced by traditional high school students. Each student’s experience with issues is unique. They may face a combination of different challenges. Tyeshia Ricks of Lima Senior High School was the overall winner who received an additional $500 check and now will be eligible to compete for district and national Exchange Club A.C.E. scholarships.
Ricks related some of her experiences. “I started working at the Harding Highway McDonald’s almost every day, with one or two days off for a total of 20 to 40 hours while I was still in ninth grade. This would continue for two years. This was a struggle for me as I tried to recover mentally fighting depression while being a mother and a student. It was very difficult.”
Many students may have to work to support themselves or their families. Students may have family responsibilities that make it difficult to attend school or participate in extracurricular activities. Some students have raised younger siblings including diapering, fixing meals, cleaning clothes and taking care of the house. This can make it difficult to find time for schoolwork and studying.
Students may not have the same level of support from parents, teachers, or peers as traditional high school students. Some parents were negligent. Some parents passed away from suicide, COVID or other illnesses. Some parents are no longer connected to the family because of incarceration.
Some students may have been in different foster homes during their schooling. Students have had to navigate the educational system on their own without parental guidance. Students may face health challenges that make it difficult to attend school or keep up with coursework. These challenges may include physical or mental health issues like anxiety, depression or self-harm. They may feel isolated or like they don’t belong.
Students recognized by their schools for A.C.E. awards include the following: Allen East, Keaton Miller; Apollo, Madison “Mattie” Harrod; Bath, Madison Snay; Bluffton, Amber Gladwell; Delphos Jefferson, Maya Ostendorf; Lima Central Catholic, Amelia Carter; Lima Senior, Tyeshia Ricks; Perry, Omarion Gardner; Shawnee, Haley Albano-Seitz; Spencerville, Ean Martinez; and Temple Christian, Christian McCleese.
Each student received a certificate of achievement and a check for $200 from the Lima Exchange Club.
Reach Dean Brown at 567-242-0409
