Page 3 - Dresden Buzz 04/18/25

APRIL 18 - MAY 1, 2025 LOCAL NEWS | PAGE 3
Salt Fork Arts and Crafts Festival, and as Melinda Russell
a member of the Artist Colony of Zanes- Aldine Roach Flegal Special
ville. Some of her other achievements in- Recognition Award
clude American Society of Quality Certi- Melinda Russell is the Director of
fied Quality Auditor and Certified Quality Human Resources for the Muskingum
Manager designations. In addition, she County and Guernsey County Boards of
was inducted to Phi Kappa Phi and was Developmental Disabilities. She is in-
named a Business Professional Women volved in the Zaney Follies, Rotary Club
Ohio Individual Development Winner. of Zanesville, Thursday Music Club, and
“I worked in manufacturing for the last the Genesis Quality of Care Committee.
25 years. I fight every day to prove that She performs as a singer at several local
we can manufacture top-quality prod- events and fundraisers. Additionally, she
ucts right here in Southeastern Ohio. I is an advocate for social services aware-
grew up listening to talk of Armco and ness. Russell started a program for
AK Steel, and I decided that was the Muskingum County that raises aware-
path for me,” Bridwell said. ” I’ve imple- ness of human trafficking and offers
mented international standards as part training. She was the recipient of the
of a global team and supported prod- Rising Star Award from the Rotary Club
uct development for some really cool
Mary Vashti Jones Funk Business Award recipient Ginger Hamilton receives her award from Buckeye engines. And there were a lot of times because of her contributions.
Valley Family YMCA CEO Adam Shilling. Lynette Dotson
when I was the only woman in the room Chloe Buchanan
Quarterfinalist. Over the years, Blevins not take long for Katie Ware to advance or the only American, and what I learned Muskingum County Community Youth
has secured grants and has acquired her career by taking on the Executive Di- and what I do is what all of us women Foundation Bright Futures Award
instruments for students who otherwise rector position. Ware has spearheaded do. We stand up straight, we smile, and Chloe Buchanan was awarded the
may not have been able to have one. many events for the retirement commu- we figure out how to make it work. – I Bright Futures Award because of her
Additionally, she is active in the commu- nity, such as a Halloween event with a encourage anybody to pursue a career in volunteer work and willingness to work
nity, participating in numerous parades haunted trail, a Wedding Vow Renewal STEM.” with other students and help her peers.
with the Zanesville Marching Band, par- Ceremony, a Veterans Day Recognition Ginger R. Hamilton She is a senior at Zanesville High School
ticipating in the Hisey Wind Ensemble, event, and an event to recognize area with a 4.0 GPA, and she serves as Class
and Zaney Follies. educators. It was because of her efforts Mary Vashti Jones Funk Vice President, Key Club President, and
“Being a teacher will always be a spe- that the Community received the 2023 Business Award Student Council Vice President. Buchan-
cial calling to me,” Blevins explained Distinguished Community of the Year Ginger Hamilton has dedicated her ca- an is also a member of the Muskingum
after being called to the stage to be pre- Award by Primrose. Additionally, she has reer of 40-plus years to banking and her County Community Youth Foundation
sented her award. “In Sunday school, I developed partnerships with local insti- life to service. She retired from her long and The Community Bank Junior Board
was taught that Jesus was a teacher. tutions of higher education to enhance career with The Community Bank and is of Directors and is the founding mem-
My mother was a highly respected Eng- mentoring opportunities. now serving Y Bridge Inc. and WAS In- ber and current secretary of Muskingum
lish teacher for over 40 years. My favor- vestments as a consultant, working with County Young Democrats. At school, she
ite people when I was growing up were Stephanie Bridwell several businesses and training their is the only female member of the Robot-
teachers, coaches, and leaders. I feel Mary Townsend Professions Award staff. Over her career, she has served ics Team and has qualified many times
we are all teachers in some fashion. We Stephanie Bridwell serves as the Qual- on a variety of boards and has helped for State and Vex Worlds competitions.
all have the ability to touch someone’s ity Manager at Miba Bearings USA and with many events. She has been a mem- In her spare time, Buchanan volunteers
life in a positive manner. I am blessed works as a partner alongside her moth- ber of the Zanesville Kiwanis serving for blood drives and church activities.
beyond measure to have worked with so er, Carol, and sister, Alicia, of Elk’s Eye as President, Past President, and was Some of her achievements include vari-
many wonderful and awe-inspiring peo- Endeavors in Zanesville, helping to run a part of several committees. Because ous tennis awards, Most Outstanding
ple and students. I have worked hard in the Elk’s Eye Art Market and advocating of her service to the organization, she Witness at the 2025 Mock Trial Compe-
my career and have been blessed in an for the arts in the community. She is also was recognized as Kiwanian of the Year. tition, Student of the Month, and mak-
abundance of ways, and tonight is truly an active member of the Zanesville Busi- Earlier this year, Hamilton received the ing the Principal’s List throughout high
a special blessing.” ness and Professional Women, and has 2025 Millennium Miracle Maker from school.
previously served as the state president the Muskingum Adult & Child Protective Proceeds from the WOA dinner benefit
Katie Ware for the Ohio Federation of Business and Services. scholarships at the Y for youth and fami-
Ethel Granger Schultz Professional Women’s Club, is currently lies. For more information about WOA,
Young Adult Award serving as the President of the Board of ISSUES OF THE DRESDEN BUZZ ARE ALSO including a past list of recipients, please
After being hired as Sales Director at Trusstees for the Ohio Arts and Crafts ONLINE IN FULL COLOR! visit muskingumwoa.org.
Primrose Retirement Community, it did Foundation, as Student Art Chair for the WWW.DRESDENBUZZ.COM

FOLLOW

THE BUZZ

@DRESDENBUZZ