December 2015

Virtual reality is a valuable tool for simulating environments as NASA astronauts prepare for space missions. They also train underwater to get a feel for what it’s like to be in space.
Two Embry-Riddle students are looking to merge those worlds.

One of the students is Matt Meyers, a 2011 Ada High School graduate.

Human Factors students Nathan Sonnenfeld and Meyers have used a 3-D printer in the Game-based Education & Advanced Research Simulations (GEARS) Lab to make a plastic headset that uses wireless technology to create virtual environments, similar to Oculus Rift goggles.

Ada High School graduate Katelyn Guagenti’s summer plans involve a trip to Thailand and maybe Laos.

Guagenti, a sophomore communication science and disorders (speech pathology/audiology) major at Ohio State University, plans to be in Thailand from July 5 to 18. If her plans work out, she’ll also go to Laos from July 18-31.

Her summer plans center around a program titled GIVE. That stands for Growth International Volunteer Excursions.

By Monty Siekerman
After nearly 20 years, Christy Beaschler (left) will be leaving the Ada school system as district treasurer when Kim Light becomes treasurer.

The change will occur probably in late May after Kim completes course work for her treasurer's license.

The school budget amounts to $11 million annually. Christy noted that the district saved $1.3 million in 2012 when it refinanced the loan for the new building. Christy will become an assistant professor of accounting at ONU. Kim has been assistant senior manager at Ada Technologies for 18 years.

Ada students experienced outstanding scores in the Ohio Department of Education’s 2015 spring tests, according to figures released in November by the ODE.

Dr. Suzanne Darmer, Ada superintendent, told The Icon: "Overall, our students performed well on the 2014-2015 state tests.

“Recognizing that these results are preliminary, our teachers continue to align their instruction to Ohio's Learning Standards in preparation for the 2015-2016 state tests. 

“Most importantly, our teachers put their hearts into their teaching and understand that student success is based on much more than a test score.  We strive for a well-rounded educational program.”