GALION — United Bank hosted the annual Academic Awards Breakfast at the Galion Community Hospital on May 16.

Each year the breakfast is held to honor seniors from each of the county high schools. They are chosen by their administration according to their academic records, extracurricular activities, and overall achievements.

The speaker was Jennifer Kuns, Assistant Vice President at United Bank. She talked to the students about all the opportunities that Crawford County has to offer. Growing up in Gahanna, Ohio, a suburb of Columbus, she graduated with over 500 people and didn’t think much about volunteering her time or giving back to the community.

It wasn’t until she moved her family to Crawford County that she realized what volunteerism really meant. She found that Crawford County was a community focused on giving back. It was apparent quite early that her children would have more opportunities to be involved in Galion.

She encouraged the students to go out and find their way, whether it is at college, in the military or the work force. They should find out who they are and where they want to serve, but remember the community that raised them.

She asked that they bring their talents back to Crawford County.

United Bank President Don Stone congratulated the students on their accomplishments, challenged them to enjoy the next phase in their learning process, and encouraged them to use their talents to help make the world a better place.

Given the challenges each of the students will face in the next step of their academic careers, United Bank gave each recipient a copy of the book, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff by Richard Carlson, and an Amazon gift card.

Congratulations to our 2018 Crawford County Scholarship Winners, including those from Bucyrus: Kade Slagle, Brooklyn Spears; Buckeye Central: Kourtni Brown, Spencer Kaple; Colonel Crawford: Elizabeth Striker, Sydney Studer; Crestline: Keagen Sqrow, Lydia Tadda; Galion: Cheyenne Blair, Claire Miller; Wynford: Cole Heinlen, Victoria Hoerig; Wayside Christian: Adam Pinter, Isaac Pinter.

United Bank is located in Bucyrus, Crestline and Galion in Crawford County. Marion County offices are located in Caledonia, Prospect, and Marion on Barks Road East. Member FDIC. Find more information on facebook.com/UnitedBankOhio.