Culinary student, Amanda Smith, from Amherst, helps a resident decorate a tree.

The Wesleyan Village in Elyria is now a more festive place thanks to the efforts of JVS students from the National Technical Honor Society and Health Science Technology Program. Students spent the day at Wesleyan Village in Elyria to help the residents decorate Christmas trees and the Village surroundings. They assembled and decorated 10 trees, hung garland and wreaths throughout the hallways, and decorated the cafeteria.

Students, Cameron Hrinda, of Oberlin, and Danielle Murphy, of Midview, tend to the poinsettias in the greenhouse.

Deck your halls with festive greenery while supporting the Landscape and Greenhouse Management Program.

Students from the Lorain County JVS Landscape and Greenhouse Management Program are hosting a holiday wreath and poinsettia sale at the JVS greenhouse beginning Dec. 1.

Pictured L-R: Greg Long (AM), Jessica Twydell (BR) and Tyler Northeim (FI)

The Lorain County JVS, in cooperation with the Safety and Education Department of AAA East Central and AAA Insurance, recently hosted the 1st Annual Lorain County Young Driver Competition. This first local competition of its kind in northeast Ohio was held to offer students an opportunity to be rewarded for exhibiting positive driving behaviors.

Lynn Acheson (right) assists adult students.

Approximately ten years ago the Lorain County JVS, The Employment netWork and Lorain County Community College began a partnership to help serve Lorain County residents with funding, educational training needs and workforce development. During those ten years there have been many changes within the partnership to expand and upgrade services offered to Lorain County residents and businesses.

Wayne Waite (second from left) and the Matco Tools Top Fuel team celebrate a win.

One visit to the Lorain County JVS convinced Wayne Waite that the JVS Auto Technology Program was a career path worth pursuing.

But even Waite marvels about how that one trip now propels him across the country, and soon, around the world, as a mechanic for Mike Ashley Racing, the National Hot Rod Association's (NHRA) number 1-ranked Full Throttle Top Fuel Dragster racing team.

JVS staffers from left: Kim Wooley, Jane Murphy, Sandy Walker, Jennifer Karbler and Pam Mitchell.

Armed with the knowledge that over 200,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, the Lorain County JVS supported an initiative to increase awareness of this disease and raise money for research efforts.

JVS English teacher Sandy Walker coordinated the fundraising event. "The students and staff were extremely generous," stated Walker. "Staff members donated $5.00 to wear jeans on the Lee National Denim Day and students donated $1 and wore pink instead of their school uniforms that day."

From left, Joe Stevens, Collision Repair student from Midview and Travis Evans, Landscaping & Greenhouse Management student from Oberlin.

Lorain County JVS students and staff once again helped LifeShare Blood Services complete a very successful blood drive. Both high school and Adult Career Center students and staff took time out of their day to donate blood to those in need.

"During the two-day drive, 218 units of blood were collected," commented Susan Wallace, Diversified Health Occupations Instructor and Blood Drive Coordinator. "This is close to the amount we usually collect at the JVS for both our fall and spring drives. This was a record-setting drive!"

Pictured are (L-R): Matt Howk (WE), Nick Husar (CL), Rob Brady (AV), Eric Cvanciger (NR), and Ryan Ables (EL)

Students in the Lorain County JVS Civics/Government classes volunteer their time and talent at many Lorain County community service organizations. Several students recently used their career-technical skills for a construction project at the Blessing House in Sheffield Township.