16 Medina County students honored for positively influencing their peers

MEDINA, Ohio -- The Medina County SHARE Coalition held its annual Breakfast Award Celebration Friday (April 11) at Williams on the Lake.

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SHARE, a group dedicated to “Enhancing the lives of Medina County youth since 1988 through collaborative efforts designed to promote non-violent, drug-free living,” works with Medina County schools to encourage healthy choices on the part of students.

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Supported by the Medina County Mental Health & Recovery Board, the county Health Department, Cleveland Clinic Medina Hospital and local police departments, the schools offer programs during which high school, middle school and elementary students are taught strategies to avoid peer pressure and to encourage leadership.

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Ron Blue, prevention supervisor for the Medina City Schools, described a relatively new program, the Hope Squad, designed to aid in suicide prevention.

As part of the squad, approximately 60 students in Medina High School, nominated by their peers, have been trained to be eyes and ears attuned to comments by students -- in person or on social media -- that might indicate that a fellow student is contemplating taking his or her own life.

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The squad member is taught how to respond and to whom they should go for help.

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Each year, students who have been especially effective in positively influencing their peers are honored by the SHARE Coalition.

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Two students from each county high school were recognized at this year’s breakfast in front of 170 guests, including their parents, school advisers, law enforcement officers and SHARE board members.

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Here are the honorees:

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• Black River High School -- Elizabeth Gilmore and Noah Kaltenbaugh

• Brunswick High School -- Gabriella Bardwell and Abbygail Ivory

• Buckeye High School -- Haley Keesee and Mallory Owsiak

• Cloverleaf High School -- Vanessa Monhemius and Landon Southam

• Highland High School -- Mackenzie Pawlak and Nora McCarthy

• Medina County Career Center -- Olivia Ford and Thomas Prock

• Medina High School -- Caleb Sundermeier and Abigail Waugh

• Wadsworth High School -- Abbigale Currens and Kai Close

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Each year, SHARE also recognizes a community member who has dedicated themselves to helping the youth of Medina County. This year’s honoree was Dr. Kristine Quallich, assistant superintendent of the Medina City School District.

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Originally published online at https://www.cleveland.com/community/2025/04/16-medina-county-students-honored-for-positively-influencing-their-peers.html