INTERVIEW Archbolds Aniyah Copeland speaks during the student interviews portion of the dinner
By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jacob@thevillagereporter.com
The Buckeye Border Chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes held its annual Champions Celebration on Sunday, March 24th.
The celebration took place at the Archbold Evangelical Church and ran from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
There, student-athletes from across five counties were honored and awarded for their devotion to Christ and their Christ-like mindset. Area Director Rex Stump explained that the night was all about celebrating God in Northwest Ohio.
“Tonight is about a celebration of what God is doing in Northwest Ohio through the ministry of FCA. We have been doing this now for 19 years, with this being our 18th banquet. The whole thing is humbling, and I am incredibly encouraged by it. It is all a team effort.”
“I walk away from it excited about the future. A lot of times people look at the world and say the future is dark and hard, but these kids give me hope.”
Stump also explained the process that took place for students to receive their awards this year.
Each of the school’s Huddle Leaders is asked to nominate a couple kids who are living out the mission of the FCA. This means the student is living through Christ in their school.
Every student recognized during the celebration has been doing something in their school with their faith.
Stump further explained that there are far more students living through Christ than they are able to recognize. “I think it’s important to know that there are more kids that should have been recognized. A lot of kids are living out their faith that could have been recognized.”
“I know it is hard for Huddle Leaders to choose two or three out of their group. Some schools would have loved to have sent 10 to 12 kids. We are thankful for those that are recognized but know there are more out there.”
This year, 92 students were recognized from Fulton, Williams, Defiance, Henry, and Paulding counties.
Students and other guests were treated to a meal, as well as student interviews and guest speaker Pastor Jon Bruney.
The students who were recognized this year were: Adam Tobin, Ella Miler, Keren Maldonado, Addie Butler, Ella Voigt, Klayton Boland, Addyson Fritch, Emalyne Neifer, Kobe Hoylman, Alec Fruchey, Emily Holcomb, Laci Walborn, Ali Genter, Emma Meyer, Leah Orr, Levi Tester, Angel Martinez, Emmy Selgo, Angela Soellner, Ethan Panico, Libby Zeiter, Lilah Krueger, Aniyah Copeland, Gabby Bowser, Lily Snyder, Ashlyn Lamb, Gia Fiser, Austin Batterson, Gracie Butler, Linnea Meyer, Ava Genter, Greyson Saneholt, Luke Snyder, Bethany Singer, Hadley Hudson, Lyla Carrizales, Braylee Groves, Hailey Harmon, Madelyn Hopper, Braylin Snyder, Hollyn Klopfenstein, Malachi Wyse, Brett Yungmann, Jacee Altaffer, Marah Smith, Brian Scherdt, Jackson Poynter, Meg Burkholder, Briggs Fiser, Jaelyn Houk, Mia Amador, Bronson Graber, James Camper, Michael Donovan, Caden Bishop, Joey Burt, Olivia Rettig, Caden Hill, Joey Ripke, Oliviah Clingaman, Carissa Martin, Justin Ruple, Rebekah VanWormer, Chloe Cicero, Kacey Lamb, Reese Hand, Chloe Fisher, Kade Stewart, Reid Moser, CJ Ridley, Kailee Thiel, Sophie Sterken, Cody Ruple, Karsyn Weber, Tabithah Taylor, Cole Bauman, Katelan Nagel, Tate Wyse, Colt Ward, Katelyn Liechty, Tessa Nafziger, Creighton Aeschliman, Keagan Crivello, Traeton Kure, Dylan Koenig, Kelsey Bennett, Will Garlock, Eli Lawrence, Kennedy Stuut, Xander Myers, Elijah Schlade, Kenneth Smeltzer.
