EmpowHER Event Vision Builder Award Winner 2025 Click HERE to hear Kristi talk with WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart.
Kristi Klinkner was the winner of the 2025 Vision Builder Award. She was nominated by her accountant, Winnie Skinner. Kristi shares how she felt when she received this award. She talks about her journey from finance into opening a beauty salon. This was a huge career change for her. Her main goal is to help young women breaking into cosmetology to grow and flourish.
Vision Builder Award: Vision shapes our future. The recipient of this award is a woman with less than 10 years of experience in her field who has wasted no time making an impact and breaking down barriers. She emphasizes building honest relationships, values input, has the mindset of a leader, and leads by example with an immense amount of courage. She has valued what she’s learned from her mentors and wants to pay it forward as a mentor to others. She is changing the landscape in which women serve.
EmpowHER Event Scholarship Winner Kennedy Auker 2025 Click HERE to hear Kennedy talk with WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart.
Kennedy is a senior at Mount Vernon High School and attends the Knox County Career Center. She is taking Landscape Design at KCCC. She plans to attend Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute in Wooster to major in sustainable agriculture. She wants to take over the family farm in the future.
She is the winner of a Girl Power Scholarship of $2,500! She submitted an essay based on a quote from Sheila Murray Bethel. She wrote on how she uses her Girl Power to empower others. Kennedy talks about the many organizations that she is involved in and how she strives to involve others and help them work together to serve the community.
She talks about the EmpowHER Event Theme – Thrive Without Limits.
EmpowHER Event Scholarship Winner Grace Humphrey 2025 Click HERE to hear WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart talk with Grace.
Grace is a senior from Centerburg that goes to Mount Vernon High School. She is the winner of a Girl Power Scholarship of $2,500!
She submitted an essay based on a quote from Michelle Obama that talked about how you can use your unique story to empower others.
She empowers others through her horse riding, how she plans and working hard on her academics. She will be attending Cedarville University, majoring in Allied Health. She talks about the EmpowHER Event Theme – Thrive Without Limits.
Lindsey Lamp, New Directions Executive Director, shares the passion behind this event. This is the 4th year for the EmpowHER Event.
Click HERE to hear the conversation with WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart.
This event is to celebrate the women that live and work in Knox County. They want to uplift the amazing women that they are. They want women to connect and show that they are thriving.
She talks about the theme – Thrive Without Limits. Their goal is to celebrate the flourishing women of the community. They also want to encourage all women to bloom where they are. They had a flower theme in their decorations.
Lindsey also shares an update about New Directions. She shares that the agency is thriving. They are increasing the services that they provide. They are adapting through transitions and continuing to thrive. That is why they picked the theme.
Coming up on 2025 Calendar: April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month – they are collaborating with local law enforcement for training. The Teen Advisory Council will host the color run at the end of the summer. In October, they will host the annual Bowl-athon.
Goals for the organization for 2025:
Continue to prioritize survivors
Creating a survivor counsel
Lead some survivor support groups
For prevention – get into elementary schools for education and healthy relationship skills
Lindsey shares that you can give at their website – http://www.newdirectionsknox.org Donations go directly back to their clients and the survivors in our community.
A discussion about the February 24th meeting with Mount Vernon City Council in which two positions were on. The Mayor speaks on the steps moving forward after the Communication Director position was voted down 4-3.
A discussion about current construction and maintenance projects for the city.
Mayor Starr gives updates on the Asphalt Resurfacing Program.
Mayor Starr Mayor Starr gives an update on other city departments.
Mayor Starr talks about the listening tours for the new facilities.
Mayor Starr talks about change and shifting departments and the challenges we are facing. He also reports that the city is in excellent financial shape, and he is excited for the future.
Mayor Starr shares his perspective on the development of the old Mount Vernon News building in downtown Mount Vernon and the plans for opening Founder Food Hall.
Mayor Starr shares an update from the Mount Vernon Police Department
Details about a Citizen’s Police Academy.
Updates from the Mount Vernon Fire Department
Mayor Starr speaks on the city’s ability to oversee potholes and cracks int eh roads on the properties of other businesses.
Immediate goals for March
Selecting a design team for the new Police Station
Wrapping up the public comment period for the City Hall Annex
Mayor Starr gives some calendar events for March.
Discussion on Intel and their internal issues and how those issues could affect the city.
MTVarts presents Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Jr. this weekend at the Knox Memorial Theater.
WNZR was honored to chat with several cast members about their experience in this fantastic show.
Today, we shared a conversation with Briggs Swallow who is playing the part of LeFou, the sidekick to Gaston.
Briggs is 14 years old and goes to Mount Vernon Middle School. He talked about how he has always wanted to play this character. He likes the silly and goofy parts of the performance and is enjoying the experience. He also talks about the fun music of the show, including his 2 songs about Gaston.
He shares that he has been in 15 productions! He started at the age of 7!
Briggs talks about his costume that includes a funny wig and goofy sideburns and some blacked out teeth.
He shares a special memory of bringing coffee to the cast for a special bonding experience.
Briggs encourages kids to get involved in theater and not worry about the audition process. He also encourages the community to come see the production this weekend.
Event Sponsors: Knox County Foundation and Classroom Connections with Knox County Education Service Center YES
Venue: Knox Memorial Theater – 112 East High St, Mount Vernon OH 43050
Synopsis:
Beauty and the Beast JR. tells the story of Belle, an adventurous young girl, and the Beast, her hideous captor who is actually a young prince trapped under a spell. In order to break the spell, the Beast must learn to love another and earn her love in return – before time runs out. With the help of the castle’s enchanted staff, including a loving teapot, a charming candelabra, and a nervous mantel clock, Belle and the Beast find a beautiful friendship and love that neither knew was possible. Beauty and the Beast JR. features classic songs from the Academy Award®-winning film score such as “Be Our Guest” and “Belle,” as well as original songs from the 1994 Tony®-nominated Broadway musical.
MTVarts presents Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Jr. this weekend at the Knox Memorial Theater.
WNZR was honored to chat with several cast members about their experience in this fantastic show.
Today, we shared a conversation with Devyn Hall who is playing the part of The Beast.
Devyn is 15 years old and is homeschooled. He talked about how he is preparing to play this iconic character. He has been watching other productions, picking up tips from other actors. He has enjoyed putting his own spin on the character.
He shares her history in theater and talks about his dream to pursue acting when he graduates. He is excited about his costume and makeup. He describes the costume in the Ball scene as “epic”!
Devyn encourages kids to get involved in theater. He also encourages the community to come see this great production and help support live and local theater.
Event Sponsors: Knox County Foundation and Classroom Connections with Knox County Education Service Center YES
Venue: Knox Memorial Theater – 112 East High St, Mount Vernon OH 43050
Synopsis:
Beauty and the Beast JR. tells the story of Belle, an adventurous young girl, and the Beast, her hideous captor who is actually a young prince trapped under a spell. In order to break the spell, the Beast must learn to love another and earn her love in return – before time runs out. With the help of the castle’s enchanted staff, including a loving teapot, a charming candelabra, and a nervous mantel clock, Belle and the Beast find a beautiful friendship and love that neither knew was possible. Beauty and the Beast JR. features classic songs from the Academy Award®-winning film score such as “Be Our Guest” and “Belle,” as well as original songs from the 1994 Tony®-nominated Broadway musical.
MTVarts presents Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Jr. this weekend at the Knox Memorial Theater.
WNZR was honored to chat with several cast members about their experience in this fantastic show.
Today, we shared a conversation with Karma Carpenter who is playing the part of Gaston.
Karma is 17 years old and is a Senior at Mount Vernon High School. She talked about how she is preparing to play this iconic character. She loves learning how to add humor and “guy mannerisms” to her character. She also loves having a sidekick.
She shares her history in theater and talks about her dream of being in theater in the future. She talks about her costume and makeup and how this will help her in playing the character.
Karma encourages kids to get involved in theater. She also encourages the community to come see this amazing production.
Event Sponsors: Knox County Foundation and Classroom Connections with Knox County Education Service Center YES
Venue: Knox Memorial Theater – 112 East High St, Mount Vernon OH 43050
Synopsis:
Beauty and the Beast JR. tells the story of Belle, an adventurous young girl, and the Beast, her hideous captor who is actually a young prince trapped under a spell. In order to break the spell, the Beast must learn to love another and earn her love in return – before time runs out. With the help of the castle’s enchanted staff, including a loving teapot, a charming candelabra, and a nervous mantel clock, Belle and the Beast find a beautiful friendship and love that neither knew was possible. Beauty and the Beast JR. features classic songs from the Academy Award®-winning film score such as “Be Our Guest” and “Belle,” as well as original songs from the 1994 Tony®-nominated Broadway musical.
MTVarts presents Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Jr. this weekend at the Knox Memorial Theater.
WNZR was honored to chat with several cast members about their experience in this fantastic show.
Today, we shared a conversation with Kiara Smith who is playing the part of Mrs. Potts.
Kiara is 16 years old and goes to Licking Valley School near Newark. She talked about how she is preparing to play this iconic character by rewatching various productions. She likes how Mrs. Potts sees the humanity in everyone including the Beast.
She shares her history in theater and talks about her dream of being on Broadway. She shares memories of celebrating a special birthday with Adeline Fontaine who is playing Chip.
Kiara encourages the community to come see this classic story. She is proud of the cast and their hard work on the show.
Event Sponsors: Knox County Foundation and Classroom Connections with Knox County Education Service Center YES
Venue: Knox Memorial Theater – 112 East High St, Mount Vernon OH 43050
Synopsis:
Beauty and the Beast JR. tells the story of Belle, an adventurous young girl, and the Beast, her hideous captor who is actually a young prince trapped under a spell. In order to break the spell, the Beast must learn to love another and earn her love in return – before time runs out. With the help of the castle’s enchanted staff, including a loving teapot, a charming candelabra, and a nervous mantel clock, Belle and the Beast find a beautiful friendship and love that neither knew was possible. Beauty and the Beast JR. features classic songs from the Academy Award®-winning film score such as “Be Our Guest” and “Belle,” as well as original songs from the 1994 Tony®-nominated Broadway musical.
MTVarts presents Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Jr. this weekend at the Knox Memorial Theater.
WNZR was honored to chat with several cast members about their experience in this fantastic show.
Today, we shared a conversation with Madison Sichina who is playing the part of Belle.
Madison is a Senior at Utica High School and is also a CCP student at MVNU. She talked about how she is preparing to play this character. She likes Belle because she does her own thing and doesn’t mind what others think about her.
She shares her history in theater and talks about how excited she is to get her costumes.
Madison encourages kids to get involved in theater.
Click HERE to enjoy our conversation with Madison.
Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST JR Show Times:
Friday, February 28 • 7:30 PM Saturday, March 1 • 2 PM Saturday, March 1 • 7:30 PM Sunday, March 2 • 2 PM
Event Sponsors: Knox County Foundation and Classroom Connections with Knox County Education Service Center YES
Venue: Knox Memorial Theater – 112 East High St, Mount Vernon OH 43050
Synopsis:
Beauty and the Beast JR. tells the story of Belle, an adventurous young girl, and the Beast, her hideous captor who is actually a young prince trapped under a spell. In order to break the spell, the Beast must learn to love another and earn her love in return – before time runs out. With the help of the castle’s enchanted staff, including a loving teapot, a charming candelabra, and a nervous mantel clock, Belle and the Beast find a beautiful friendship and love that neither knew was possible. Beauty and the Beast JR. features classic songs from the Academy Award®-winning film score such as “Be Our Guest” and “Belle,” as well as original songs from the 1994 Tony®-nominated Broadway musical.
Rise and Shine 