The People's Defender (West Union, OH)

18/08/2025

18/08/2025

Adams County Ohio Valley Students Take Big Steps Toward Bright Futures Through Summer Programs & Certifications

This summer, several students from the Adams County Ohio Valley School District made the most of their break by participating in hands-on career programs and extended certification trainings—all part of a continued investment in their futures. These students, made up of recent graduates and rising seniors, chose to take bold steps toward career success by engaging in real-world experiences designed to align with their individual goals and pathways.

These opportunities were made possible through the GRIT Project in Adams County, which partnered closely with students to help them understand their career assessment results and identify paths that matched their strengths and interests. GRIT coordinated with a variety of partners to make these summer programs a success, including:

-OhioMeansJobs (OMJ)
-Foundations for the Trades
-Shawnee State University
-Hocking College
-Tri-County Career Center
-Local community members who generously donated to ensure every student had what they needed to fully participate

We are proud to recognize the following students for their initiative, commitment, and courage to step forward into something new:

North Adams High School- Christopher Doughman, Robbie McClellan, Konner Rogers

Peebles High School - Allison Sissel, Braden McCann, Damien McCann, Isabella Farmer, Keira Delk, Carson Reed

West Union High School - Addison Lantz, Braylin Fields, Adriana Moman, Briceton Green, Lea McNeilan, Logan Caldwell, Nina McCann, Yasmine Munoz, James Smith, Kale Garrison

CTC - Emily Stapleton, Gracie Pollitt, Ida Vigal, Kiera Scott, Kennedi Dotson, Chase Lewis, Ryken Copas, Zach Shoemaker

Their willingness to invest in themselves—through certifications, training, and summer learning—reflects a powerful message: The future belongs to those who show up for it. These students showed up, and they shined.

To everyone who helped organize, guide, support, and believe in these students: thank you. We hope we haven’t missed anyone but know that your role was deeply valued. Because of you, doors were opened, needs were met, and futures were strengthened.

18/08/2025

18/08/2025

Historic marker that we just put up in the old part of the Wi******er Cemetery on the Archer/Dixon/Wilkins familes.

18/08/2025

18/08/2025

On Tuesday, August 19 there will be a Food for All Mobile Pantry at the Adams County Fairgrounds, 836 Boyd Ave. West Union.

18/08/2025

SPORTS EDITOR’S NOTE: Each week, The People’s Defender will profile an Adams County senior student/athlete so our community and readers can get to know better these outstanding young people who…

18/08/2025

Press Release…

18/08/2025

SPORTS EDITOR’S NOTE: Each week, The People’s Defender will profile an Adams County senior student/athlete so our community and readers can get to know better these outstanding young people who…

16/08/2025

Celebration of Life Service

Elana Elkins, age 59, of Peebles, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, June 28, 2025. She was born on June 11, 1966, in Sandusky, Ohio, to t he late John H. Thacker and Lovena Joan (Bradford) Thacker.
A Celebration of Life dinner will be held next Saturday August 23rd at 4pm. at Peebles Church of Christ 6050 Steam Furnace Road Peebles, Ohio.

16/08/2025

By Ryan Applegate…