Bluffton police chief Rick Skilliter will be recognized on May 19 in Columbus as the state's EMT-Intermediate of the Year.

The award will be presented during the Ohio EMS Awards ceremony, which is combined with Ohio Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physician's (Ohio ACEP) EMS Star of Life Awards ceremony.

The ceremonies will be held at 9:30 a.m. on May 19, in the ODOT Auditorium at the Ohio Department of Public Safety / Ohio Department of Transportation complex, 1980 W. Broad St., Columbus,

Eight Bluffton Middle School students participated in the State Science Fair on May 8, according to Dave Bracy, science teacher.

"The students did a great job with three students receiving a superior rating and five students received an excellent rating," said Bracy.

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church' last Ladies' Aid meeting of the season was held on May 10.

New officers were elected. They are President-Jane Amstutz, Vice President-Nicki vonStein, Secretary-Susan Bormuth, and Treasurer-Norma Rader.

Meeting are held monthly from September to May. Ongoing projects are supporting world-wide missions and various sewing projects as well as assisting the members of the congregation.

Twelve youth were recently confirmed in their faith at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Jenera.

Those confirmed were: Jordan Andrew Freed, John "Taylor" Heldman, Matthew Clark Inniger, Andrew Brice Lee, Courtney Erin Rettig, Kelsey Erica Rettig, Everett "Joel" Ritter, Kyle Andrew Rossman, Kenna Renee' Schmehl, Lana Doris Schmitzer, Mary Rose Spears and Brent William Warren.

The class motto was 1 Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray Continually," the class song was "In Christ Alone," the class flower was the Tiger Lily and their colors were orange and silver.

Trevor Meyer, Bluffton, a junior in the Manufacturing Engineering Tech program at Apollo Career Center, will travel to Kansas City, Mo., in June to compete in the National SkillsUSA Competition.

Meyer is one of a three-member team who achieved best in the state status in the Automated Manufacturing Category. The team used software programs Inventor and MasterCam to draw parts, and then produced the parts working from two blueprints on a CNC machine.

Bluffton remembers Raid as educator, innovator, entrepreneur
When Howard Raid came to Bluffton College in 1947 to teach economics and business, he was told to expect a geography class added to his teaching load, based on the low number of students anticipated in business courses.

But 50 students-about one-sixth of Bluffton's total enrollment at the time-signed up for economics courses, and the first business and economics department at a Mennonite college was poised for growth.

Aaron Lutz, son of Scott and Lani Shumaker, Bluffton, is participating in a cross-cultural experience in Guatemala, May 12-June 2.

Bluffton University students will explore the integration of ancient Mayan culture and modern life and learn about the nation~Ac^a'not^a"cs civil war by spending time in its capital, Guatemala City, and rural areas. They will experience bustling markets full of locally-made crafts, visit cooperatives and learn how the crafts are made, travel to ancient Mayan ruins, practice Spanish and learn to appreciate rural life and work during a home-stay.

Note: The Icon offers this column as a first in a series. Brendon Matthews is the writer and this is from his blog located at: http://communitybanking.wordpress.com/