Category: Mount Vernon OH

From Ohio to the Olympic Stage: Kyle Paladino’s Behind-the-Scenes Experience with Team USA in Italy

When WNZR’s Eric Brown and Marcy Rinehart sat down with Eric’s longtime friend Kyle Paladino, they weren’t just talking about a trip overseas—they were unpacking an experience of a lifetime. Kyle had just returned home after volunteering with Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy, and his stories offered a meaningful look at what happens behind the scenes of one of the world’s biggest sporting events.

Click HERE to hear the full interview!

Kyle shared a little of his journey leading up to this moment. He served as a physical therapist in the Zanesville area from 2002 to 2024 before relocating to Northeast Ohio for a new opportunity that also allows him to support his mom more regularly. Today, he works with ABC Therapy Limited, partnering with public and charter schools and serving adults with developmental disabilities. Recently, he even helped connect one of his Cleveland-area schools with Cleveland Heights hockey standout Layla Edwards, highlighting her historic Olympic impact and inspiring students in the process.

So how did Kyle end up volunteering for Team USA? He credits a childhood friend, Professor Charles Campisi of Baldwin Wallace University, who encouraged him to apply. Kyle went through the official Olympic volunteer portal, completed interviews, screenings, and training, arranged his travel, and—with strong support from his employer—made his way to Italy for the 2026 Games.

His role with Team USA was mostly behind the scenes, supporting athletes during what’s called the Team USA Welcome Experience, often referred to as “TUI.” Because venues and training sites were spread out—especially with Cortina located several hours from Milan—Team USA didn’t operate one central hospitality house like they did during the 2024 Summer Olympics. Instead, volunteers helped create a safe, organized space in Milan where athletes could briefly gather before heading to the Olympic Village. Kyle’s responsibilities were largely supervisory and logistical: managing the space, preventing intrusions, moving boxes, taking out trash—whatever was needed to create the best possible environment for the athletes.

Two moments made the experience especially real for him. During his very first shift, members of the figure skating team arrived while athletes from Team USA women’s hockey were also present. The welcome was deeply emotional, especially considering the hardship U.S. figure skating has endured over the past year. Kyle specifically mentioned Maxim Naumov and the tragic loss of his parents in a 2025 plane crash. The atmosphere, he said, was powerful and supportive as athletes, staff, and volunteers rallied around one another. The second unforgettable moment was the Opening Ceremony, where he felt the energy of tens of thousands cheering—not just for their own countries, but for others as well. It was a reminder that even in competition, there can be unity.

Looking back, Kyle said Team USA prepared volunteers well, and the experience matched what he expected. What stood out most was the gratitude and positivity among the volunteer community. The work felt manageable, enjoyable, and meaningful. He now encourages others to consider volunteering for future Games, including the 2028 Summer Olympics.

He also came away impressed by the athletes themselves. His biggest takeaway? They were genuinely kind and appreciative. Volunteers are trained not to ask for photos or autographs during official duties, respecting the athletes’ privacy and focus. Still, Kyle described friendly public interactions that showed just how approachable they were. He even shared a lighthearted moment involving the curling team—he accidentally wore a curling-themed shirt on the wrong day but later got to show it to them, and they loved it. Moments like that, he said, revealed the athletes’ warmth and humor.

Of course, Eric and Marcy couldn’t let him go without asking about the food. Kyle admitted he’s not necessarily a “foodie,” but he enjoys trying whatever looks amazing. Breakfast often meant pastries—especially the cornetto, similar to a croissant, filled with chocolate, fruit, jam, or even cinnamon. Lunch usually involved sandwiches stacked with Italian meats and cheeses, often chosen simply by pointing at what looked best. Dinners leaned toward pasta and pizza, with dishes like risotto and carbonara making the list. And since Milan is known for its chocolate, he made sure to bring some home for friends and family.

Thanks to a lighter volunteer schedule than expected, Kyle was also able to explore. He spent time in Milan and took a day trip to Turin, host of the 2006 Winter Olympics, where he toured the royal palace and admired the Piedmont region near the mountains. He ventured into Switzerland to ride the famous Bernina “red train” through the Alps, stopping in St. Moritz. In Milan, he visited the breathtaking Milan Cathedral—the iconic Duomo seen so often in Olympic broadcasts. He was struck by its centuries-long construction and the prominent statue of the Virgin Mary atop the cathedral. Milan maintains a tradition of placing additional Virgin Mary statues on other tall buildings so the Duomo remains symbolically dominant in the skyline.

From late January through early February, Kyle packed in sightseeing, service, and once-in-a-lifetime memories. Reflecting on it all, he said volunteering changed how he sees the Olympics. Watching on television is one thing. Standing in a crowd of roughly 75,000 at the Opening Ceremony—knowing only about 10 people personally but feeling connected to everyone—is something entirely different. The shared cheering, the unity among nations, the emotional weight of the moment—it made the global competition feel deeply human.

For anyone interested in volunteering at a future Olympic Games, Kyle recommends starting at the official Olympic website and looking for volunteer opportunities, especially as information for Los Angeles 2028 becomes available. His message was simple: it’s truly the trip—and the experience—of a lifetime. And volunteering is one powerful way to help others perform at their very best.

Click HERE to learn more to be an Olympic volunteer in LA in 2028!

Here are just a few of the pics from Kyle’s Trip! (source: Kyle Paladino)

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Great Valentine’s Day Ideas from Crosswalk

Valentine’s Day is a special opportunity to show love in meaningful, tangible ways—whether you’ve been together for months or many years. While some couples enjoy a simple dinner out or chocolates and flowers, and others go all out with big adventures, celebrating your love doesn’t have to be expensive—especially with rising costs.

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart had six great date night ideas from Crosswalk.com

The most important thing isn’t how much you spend, but how intentionally you connect. With a little creativity, you can make the day truly special and deepen your bond without breaking the bank.

Looking for inspiration? Here are a few fun and meaningful Valentine’s date night ideas:
💖 A relaxing home spa day
🍽️ A cozy dinner with friends
🎬 A classic movie night at home

No matter how you celebrate, the goal is the same—spend quality time together and show the one you love just how much they mean to you

Click HERE for more from Crosswalk!

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EmpowHER 2026: An Evening to Celebrate Women, Community, and the Power of Your Voice

Halle Krajenski, Director of Programs for New Directions, recently joined WNZR’s Eric Brown to talk about one of the organization’s most anticipated events of the year—EmpowHER.

Click HERE for the full interview!

Having served in her role for just over 1 year, Halle oversees New Directions’ prevention team, which works directly in local schools to educate youth on healthy relationships, recognizing warning signs of unhealthy behavior, intervention strategies, and personal safety.

This year’s EmpowHER event takes place on Friday, March 13th at the Kenyon Lowry Center. Doors open at 5:00 p.m., giving guests time to shop a vendor marketplace featuring women-owned local businesses before dinner is served at 6:15 p.m. The evening continues with presentations and awards designed to uplift and amplify the voices of women and girls across Knox County.

Created in celebration of International Women’s Day, the EmpowHER Awards focus on empowerment, community, and celebration. The 2026 theme—“Vogue Presents: Where Your Voice Leads, Change Follows”—sets the tone for a night centered on confidence, leadership, and positive impact. Guests can also expect a full buffet dinner prepared by Kenyon by AVI, offering a wide variety of high-quality options.

Now in its fifth year, EmpowHER has grown into a highly anticipated annual celebration for New Directions. Halle says the event provides a dedicated time each year to intentionally empower women while bringing the community together in meaningful ways. Tickets are $75 for individuals, with half-table and full-table options available. Sponsorship opportunities and vendor spots are still open, though limited. Tickets, sponsorships, and vendor inquiries can be made by emailing empowhernewdirections@gmail.com, with payment options including Venmo, PayPal, or invoice.

Beyond EmpowHER, New Directions remains active year-round through awareness initiatives such as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and their annual summer Color Run.

Click HERE to learn more about the 2026 EmpowHER event!

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WNZR’s Meet the Staff Monday with Brock Hankins

This week’s Meet the Staff Monday on WNZR features Sophomore/Junior, Brock Hankins.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

Brock is from Mount Vernon and chose to attend MVNU because of his connection to the CCP classes he had already taken here. Thanks to those early college credits, he came in with 50 credits completed — which means at just 19 years old, he’s considered a Sophomore/Junior.

His interest in radio grew out of his longtime love for music and the arts. When Brock decided to major in communication, trying out WNZR and radio felt like a natural step. Now, he serves as a DJ and also helps with the Sportscasting video team. But he doesn’t stop there. Brock works as an office intern for the communications department, hopes to be involved in SGA, and stays active in many areas around campus.

One major highlight of his college experience so far has been attending CMBU. That trip opened significant doors for him, including the opportunity to become one of two CMBU interns. He now works alongside fellow intern Naomi Kinne in that role. Brock describes the CMBU trip as one of his greatest memories because of the opportunities it created.

Much of Brock’s college experience focuses on his campus involvement and being a member of the worship team at The Church at Chapel Hill. His faith is an important part of his life. Although he grew up Christian, he recently came to terms with truly making his faith his own, and he shares how God has been working in his heart during this season.

His favorite Bible verse is Ephesians 4:32:
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

This verse is especially meaningful to him because of his struggle with forgiveness, and it reminds him to choose kindness and forgiveness daily.

Outside of school and work, Brock enjoys catching up on sleep and going out to eat with his family on the weekends. His favorite people in the world are his parents, sister, and grandma — especially because of how they support him in everything he does. He also laughs about a funny family memory during a snowstorm when his grandma still wanted to go to Chili’s first thing in the morning.

A few fun facts about Brock: his favorite artist is Lauren Daigle, and his favorite song is “Thank God I Do.” His favorite food is Italian — specifically Chicken Alfredo. And he’s secretly had the privilege of going to Hawaii twice.

You can hear Brock Hankins on Mondays from 2-4pm.

Click HERE to check out WNZR’s website and see and the other WNZR staff!

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February MVNU Update with Rev. Jon Nicholas – Executive Director of Enrollment for the College of Arts & Sciences

The Morning Thing shared the February MVNU Update on Friday.
Rev. Jon Nicholas was our guest. He serves MVNU as the Executive Director of Enrollment for the College of Arts & Sciences.

He shared a wonderful update on enrollment projections for the 2026-2027 academic year.
He gave us insight on how his team works with prospective students, including how a campus visit is tailored to the student’s interest.

We talked about what makes MVNU unique and special and how a positive life-changing culture is vital for the college experience. You can sign up for a tour and see the MVNU Enrollment calendar at mvnu.edu

Click HERE or on the link below to hear the full conversation.

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Why Still Hope Was a Story Filmmaker and MVNU Grad Richie Johns Felt Called to Tell

Filmmaker Richie Johns recently spoke with WNZR’s Eric Brown to talk about the heart behind his new film, Still Hope. A graduate of Mount Vernon Nazarene University, Richie shared how the project began after he learned about a story inspired by real survivors of human trafficking—a story that stayed with him and ultimately led to this film.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

Still Hope weaves together elements from two true accounts into one character, following her journey from abduction to rescue and then into the long, often difficult road of healing. Richie explained that he and his wife, Bethany, originally joined the project as producers. He later stepped into the director’s role when the team felt the story needed to be stewarded by a filmmaker of faith who understood both the weight of the subject and the hope at its core.

What ultimately drew Richie in was the film’s mission. While raising awareness about human trafficking is important, he said Still Hope is about more than that—it’s about pointing people toward redemption, restoration, and hope.

Richie also talked about the challenge of telling such a heavy story while still holding onto that hope. The film approaches the topic with care and restraint, acknowledging the darkness of trafficking in the first half while intentionally shifting focus in the second half to recovery and healing—an aspect of survivor stories that is often overlooked.

One of the film’s central themes is forgiveness, which Richie described not as weakness, but as a courageous step toward freedom and peace. By partnering with real-life, faith-based recovery organizations, Still Hope remains grounded in authenticity and shows that healing is a process that takes time, support, and faith.

As a first-time director, Richie shared that the experience was both humbling and emotionally demanding. Balancing multiple roles alongside his wife Bethany, who served as lead producer, came with a learning curve, and the emotional weight of the story often carried beyond the set.

He also praised the cast—especially lead actress Luna Rivera—and acknowledged how challenging certain scenes were for everyone involved.

Ultimately, Richie said Still Hope is meant to be more than just a film. It’s a call to action—created to educate, mobilize, and equip people to move beyond awareness and into meaningful action against human trafficking.

Richie also spoke about partnering with Natalie Grant and Hope for Justice, sharing how their involvement strengthened the film’s message and impact. Audiences will see Natalie at the end of the movie offering practical ways to get involved and support organizations already doing vital work on the front lines.

Still Hope opens nationwide February 5–9 in more than 900 theaters, with several Columbus-area theaters hosting premiere night showings on Thursday. Richie encouraged listeners to see the film in theaters and support independent filmmaking.

Click HERE for the trailer!

Click HERE for tickets to Still Hope, showtimes, and additional resources!

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What Mount Vernon City Schools Is Planning Next — and Why a May Levy Is Part of the Conversation

Mount Vernon City Schools Superintendent Bill Seder recently sat down with WNZR’s Eric Brown to walk through the district’s long-term facilities plan and a proposed 1-percent earned income tax levy expected to appear on the May 2026 ballot.

Click HERE for the full conversation!

According to Seder, the proposal is the result of more than a year of planning, community input, and financial analysis aimed at addressing aging buildings, outdated learning spaces, rising maintenance costs, safety concerns, and limited accommodations for students with special needs.

Seder explained that the district’s master facilities plan includes building three new elementary schools, renovating the high school, and adding a new auditorium to better support growing participation in arts and extracurricular programs. The total estimated cost of the project is $118 million, reflecting current construction prices. About $38 million would come from the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, with the remaining costs covered locally under strict state guidelines. While renovations were explored, Seder said rebuilding most elementary schools proved more cost-effective under Ohio’s two-thirds funding rule.

The proposed levy would be a 1-percent earned income tax, which Seder said was chosen to create a more balanced and sustainable funding model while protecting residents on fixed incomes. Property tax revenue is capped by state law, making income-based funding a more reliable long-term option. He also noted the district delayed placing the levy on the November ballot due to uncertainty surrounding the state budget and property tax changes, later determining May would provide more clarity.

Acknowledging the emotional and generational ties families have to existing school buildings, Seder emphasized the district’s desire to honor that history. Elements from older schools could be incorporated into new designs, blending tradition with modern learning environments. Plans also call for four elementary schools strategically placed across the city to meet safety, transportation, and site-size requirements.

If approved, the project would follow a multi-year timeline, beginning with design and planning before construction starts. If the levy does not pass, Seder said there would be no immediate cuts since this is a capital project, but the district would continue maintaining current buildings and consider future options. Residents will have multiple opportunities to learn more through district resources, building tours, and a citizen-led levy committee.

Click HERE to visit the Mount Vernon City School District

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WNZR’s Meet the Staff Monday with Brook Abella

This week’s Meet the Staff Monday on WNZR features Junior, Brook Abella.

Brook is from Bellefontaine, Ohio. She is a double major in Communication & Media (Digital Media) and Visual Arts.

She shares what brought her to MVNU and how she found her way to WNZR through her love for Christian Music.

Book Abella talks about her passion for sharing the gospel through media and how God has opened doors for her music career.

She shares some favorites including favorite memories, artists, foods and her role in worship ministry every weekend at her home church. We also learn that Brook Abella will be joining The Afternoon Drive on Thursdays.  

Brook Abella’s favorite bible verses are found in Psalms 34:1-4. She shares how these verses help to shape her life.  

Click HERE to enjoy the conversation or click the link below.

You can hear Book Abella on WNZR on Thursdays 3pm – 5pm.

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Snow, Service, and What’s Ahead: Mayor Matt Starr’s January Update for Mount Vernon

Mayor Matt Starr recently sat down with Eric Brown on WNZR for the January Spotlight on Mount Vernon, sharing updates on winter weather, city operations, and what residents can expect in the months ahead.

Click HERE for the full conversation!

Unsurprisingly, the conversation started with snow—a lot of it. Mayor Starr said Mount Vernon is dealing with its heaviest snowfall in nearly a decade. City crews have been working long hours to move massive snow piles from major routes like South Main Street, High Street, and Public Square to secondary locations, while also clearing alleys and addressing drifting snow. He reminded drivers to slow down, especially near intersections where snowbanks limit visibility, and encouraged homeowners to shovel sidewalks to help keep everyone safe. Above all, he asked for patience and thanked city employees for their hard work during tough conditions.

Starr also highlighted several recent appointments and reappointments that help strengthen communication between the city and key community organizations. Amber Keener was reappointed to the Convention and Visitors Bureau, and John Ruckman to Experience Mount Vernon—both serving as non-voting liaisons that connect city leadership with tourism and economic development efforts. Greg Yashnyk was confirmed to the Municipal Planning Commission, a citizen-led board that helps guide zoning, growth, and long-term planning while balancing public and private interests. Starr emphasized how important civic engagement and thoughtful planning are to Mount Vernon’s future.

Another important topic was the Volunteer Peace Officers Dependents Fund Board, a state-required group that supports families of volunteer officers who are killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty. The board helps review claims and ensure benefits—such as disability payments or survivor support—are delivered quickly when needed. Starr also discussed the city’s lease agreement at 1 East High Street, which allowed the Almost Famous candy shop to transition to new ownership without interrupting utilities or operations. He said it’s a good example of how the city supports downtown businesses and local entrepreneurs who keep Public Square vibrant.

On the legislative side, Starr explained that recent resolutions related to bill payments and supplemental appropriations are mostly procedural but necessary to keep the city running smoothly. Some expenses—like utility costs tied to the H2Overhaul water meter project—arrive before purchase orders are finalized and require council approval. These steps allow the city to continue replacing outdated water meters while responsibly managing finances. He also noted that City Council remains active in community outreach, including the upcoming “Coffee with Council” event, where residents can connect directly with local leaders.

Public safety updates rounded out the discussion. Starr shared that the police department has an open officer position and encouraged qualified candidates to apply. Despite winter weather, traffic incidents have remained relatively low, though residents are urged to slow down on icy roads and check on elderly neighbors during cold snaps. The fire department continues responding to medical calls and mutual aid runs, and Starr reminded residents to follow safety guidelines when using space heaters, electric blankets, and wood-burning stoves.

Looking ahead to February, Starr outlined several priorities, including the city’s move into the new municipal building on South Main Street in partnership with Central Ohio Technical College. Renovations are underway, and planning continues for the future relocation of municipal court operations. He also mentioned upcoming legislation related to police station financing and highlighted community events such as the Washington Forum, dinner theater performances, downtown shopping events, and outdoor activities at Ariel Foundation Park.

Mayor Starr closed by thanking city workers, first responders, volunteers, and neighbors for supporting one another through winter challenges. He encouraged continued patience and cooperation.

Click HERE for the City of Mount Vernon’s website.

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