Tag: books

Sierra Shields Says the Knox County Fair Is About Leadership, Responsibility and Serving Others

While fairgoers often see the shows and competitions, there’s another group working behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly. Sierra Shields wears several hats on the Knox County Junior Fair Board, serving as a liaison, Dairy Ambassador, and leader for fellow exhibitors.

WNZR’s Sue McDonald recently sat down with Sierra to discuss her many responsibilities, her livestock projects, and the lessons she’s learned through years of involvement with 4-H and FFA.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

Sierra, of Howard, is a senior at Danville High School and also attends the Knox County Career Center in the College U Business program. She’s a member of the Creative Kids 4-H Club and Danville FFA. She has been involved in 4-H for eight years, FFA for four years, and has spent the past three years serving on the Junior Fair Board. She has also served as Dairy Ambassador and a liaison for four years.

As a liaison, Sierra acts as a communication link between exhibitors, parents, and visitors, helping answer questions and keep events running smoothly. As Dairy Ambassador, she represents the dairy industry while encouraging younger members to become involved in agriculture.

This year, Sierra said the Junior Fair Board has placed extra emphasis on animal care and safety by providing exhibitors with clear guidelines for barn walkthroughs and making sure livestock receive proper care throughout the week.

Beyond her leadership roles, Sierra is busy in the show ring. At the Knox County Fair she’s exhibiting market dairy steers, market dairy feeders, and a market hog. She’ll continue her summer at the Ohio State Fair, where she’ll also show sheep and additional cattle.

Preparing animals for competition is a year-round commitment. Sierra explained that exhibitors spend months helping animals become comfortable around people while making sure they’re healthy and ready for the show ring. She credits her younger siblings for helping with chores and daily responsibilities throughout the year.

Looking ahead, Sierra plans to return to the Career Center’s College U Business program while pursuing internship opportunities. Her long-term goal is to attend Wilmington College and earn a master’s degree in animal science.

Reflecting on her years in 4-H and the Junior Fair Board, Sierra said one of the biggest lessons she’s learned is the importance of staying true to yourself and treating others with authenticity. One of her favorite fair memories is competing in showmanship alongside her older brother.

Click HERE to learn more about the Knox County Fair!

(Photo Credit: Jenelle Doup, Saved by Grace Photography)

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Hayley Unger Finds Leadership and Friendship Through 4-H and the Knox County Fair

Showing market hogs wasn’t always part of Hayley Unger’s plans. In fact, she said she became involved with the project because of a friend. Today, it’s one of the highlights of her fair experience.

Hayley recently joined WNZR’s Josiah Styer to talk about preparing for the Knox County Fair, serving as a 2026 Junior Fair Queen nominee, and the lessons she has learned through six years in 4-H.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

A Utica native, Hayley is a senior at Utica High School and a member of the Animals R Us 4-H Club. Along with preparing for her livestock projects, she has also taken on the responsibilities that come with being a Junior Fair Queen candidate.

Hayley explained that getting ready for the fair takes plenty of planning. In addition to preparing for the Queen competition, she spends time training and washing her market hogs to have them ready for the show ring.

When fair week comes to an end, Hayley doesn’t plan on slowing down. She serves as president of the Utica FFA Chapter and expects to stay busy with those responsibilities before spending time with family and friends.

Looking back on her years in 4-H, Hayley said one of the biggest lessons she’s learned is that making mistakes is part of the process. She also said the program has taught her how to rely on the people around her when challenges arise.

Some of her favorite memories have come from the friendships she’s made. Hayley said one memory that stands out is meeting new people when she first joined the Junior Fair Board.

Click HERE to learn more about the Knox County Fair!

(Photo Credit: Jenelle Doup, Saved by Grace Photography)

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Ryleigh Scarpitti Reflects on Leadership, 4-H, and the Knox County Fair

WNZR’s Ethan Hershberger recently sat down with Ryleigh Scarpitti, a member of the 2026 Knox County Junior Fair Board, to talk about her involvement in 4-H, her projects for this year’s fair, and the lessons she has learned through the program.

Click HERE to hear the full interview!

Ryleigh is from Centerburg and is homeschooled. She also shared how her brother plays football for Centerburg.

She is a member of Liberty Livestock and is in her third year with the club. Ryleigh has been involved in 4-H for eight years and is serving her second year on the Knox County Junior Fair Board.

During the interview, she talked about the responsibilities that come with serving on the Junior Fair Board while also preparing her own projects for fair week.

This year, Ryleigh is looking forward to taking both quilting and turkey projects to the Ohio State Fair. She is also exhibiting turkeys at the Knox County Fair and explained some of the work that goes into preparing them for the show ring, including flipping the birds for judging.

She said she is especially excited about her quilting project because she has invested a great deal of time and effort into it. This will be her second year exhibiting quilting at the Ohio State Fair.

Once the Knox County Fair wraps up, Ryleigh plans to exhibit at the Hartford Fair before spending time with friends.

Looking back on her years in 4-H, Ryleigh said one of the biggest lessons she has learned is responsibility. She also said the program has taught her how to stay calm while working with animals, be reliable, make new friends, and become more confident by stepping outside of her comfort zone.

Click HERE to learn more about the Knox County Fair!

(Photo Credit: Jenelle Doup, Saved by Grace Photography)

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Art, History, and Community Come Together for Knox County’s America 250 Celebration

Knox County is already looking ahead to America’s 250th birthday, and the celebration is bringing together history, art, and community in some creative ways.

WNZR’s Eric Brown recently spoke with Olivia Toth, Executive Director of the Knox County Convention and Visitors Bureau, about several projects designed to celebrate both the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary and Knox County’s rich history.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

One of the newest initiatives is the Common Thread project, which combines art and history while highlighting the unique character of Knox County and its communities. Toth says the project is inspired by traditional Americana quilts, using the idea of a common thread to connect the people, places, and stories that make the county special.

Each installation includes QR codes that allow visitors to learn more while also connecting directly to the Knox County events calendar. Toth says the goal is not only to encourage people to explore multiple communities throughout the county but also to inspire them to stay longer or plan another visit.

Another initiative is the Knox Voices Project, a collaboration between the Knox County Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Knox County Public Library. The project is collecting personal stories from residents to help preserve the everyday history of Knox County as the community prepares to celebrate its 225th birthday.

Toth says history isn’t just found in textbooks—it’s found in the memories and experiences of the people who have lived, worked, and raised families here. Residents are encouraged to submit their own stories through the Convention and Visitors Bureau’s website, creating a living collection of local history for future generations.

The America 250 celebration also includes new street banners appearing throughout Knox County communities. Toth says the banners help share local history, celebrate America’s freedom, and build excitement for the national celebration.

Looking ahead to the summer, Toth also highlighted the new Picnic in the Park events taking place throughout July. She says the gatherings give families and friends another reason to get outside, enjoy local parks, and spend time together while exploring different communities across Knox County.

Click HERE to learn more about the Knox County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau!

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The Kiwanis club of Mount Vernon is Collecting Books Throughout June

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart is joined by Wendi Fowler from the Kiwanis club.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation.

She discusses how she’s been involved with Kiwanis for 21 years in Wooster and Mount Vernon. She is a consultant and a former board member of the Kiwanis club. She talks about how a few years ago, they redefined their identity and chose to lean into literacy side of things.

This drive is in memory of Kathie Everhard and she shares her memories about Kathie, she’d been involved for years and she recalls the story about her involvement with Kiwanis and how she was heavily involved early childhood education. She talks about how vibrant she was and how she was such an amazing member of Kiwanis.

She talks about how they collect books and what they do to help literacy by handing books out at summer camps. The collection dates are throughout the month of June, last year they collected 1200 books of their goal of 1000 books.

She tells you that you can drop books off at the Gallagher center at noon on June 22nd as well as going to the front office of the Ohio Eastern star and dropping books off at their front desk. She talks about the categories that they want from infant books, toddler books, preschool books, and graphic novels for the summer camps.

She talks how the better quality books, the better, but they aren’t picky unless they got chewed on by the dog. Upcoming events include their pie auction at the Mount Vernon Music and Arts Festival, they have a pancake breakfast on September 12th at Lakeholm Church and she mentions what the funds will be used for. You can become a Kiwanis club member on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month at noon located at the Gallagher center. She talks about their members and who you can contact about getting involved.

Click HERE to learn more about the Kiwanis club of Mount Vernon

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Seeing the Story Through Her Eyes: Grace Shank Steps Into the Role of Scout Finch

WNZR’s Eric Brown talks with Grace Shank, who plays Scout Finch in MTVArts’ production of To Kill a Mockingbird at the Woodward Opera House.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

Grace is a 17-year-old junior at East Knox, and she takes on the role of young Scout in the show. An older version of Scout—Jean Louise—helps tell the story, but Grace says her focus has been figuring out how to bring that younger perspective to life. That’s meant thinking and reacting more like a kid who’s still trying to understand everything going on around her.

She says one of the things she likes most about Scout is how honest she is. Scout says what she’s thinking, asks questions, and doesn’t really hold back. That plays into one of Grace’s favorite moments in the show—the final scene—when Scout begins to see Boo Radley in a different light and realizes she may have had him all wrong.

This is Grace’s 12th production, and she says Beauty and the Beast has been one of her favorites over the years. Even though she plans to pursue a career as a forensic investigator, she still hopes to stay involved in theater when she can.

She also says the cast has made this experience especially memorable. Even with the heavier themes in the show, there’s been a lot of fun behind the scenes, and she’s enjoyed getting to know everyone.

Grace says if someone is thinking about trying theater, they should go for it. Each show is a chance to learn something new and get a little better.

Performances of To Kill a Mockingbird will take place at the Woodward Opera House on Friday, May 8th and Saturday, May 9th at 7:30 p.m., with a Sunday matinee on May 10th at 2:00 p.m.

Click HERE for more information or to buy tickets!

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WNZR Senior Spotlight: Abby Almodovar

It’s Senior’s Week at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, and WNZR is celebrating the graduates who have been part of the station.

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart talks with Abby Almodovar, a senior and longtime voice behind the scenes and on the air.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

Abby’s path to MVNU came after moving from Augusta, Georgia to Ohio during high school. After visiting campus and connecting with faculty, she knew MVNU was the right fit—moving into her dorm the same day her family moved into their Ohio home.

She arrived undeclared but found her direction, becoming a double major in Communications and Digital Media while also adding English. Along the way, she became deeply involved with WNZR—working afternoon drive, summer staff, marketing photography, and serving as Station Operations Assistant. She also played a key role with the Lakeholm Viewer as editor, helping shape its creative direction.

Abby says one of her biggest takeaways has been learning how to build one-on-one connections and step into leadership, even as someone who considers herself naturally shy. Through her work, she’s grown in confidence and learned to trust both her ideas and her team.

Some of her favorite memories include Lifeline and the strong support from the community, along with unique classroom experiences like an honors “Zombies” course that brought creativity to life in a fun way.

As graduation approaches, Abby says it’s bittersweet. She was recently named Outstanding Staff Member of the Lakeholm Viewer and is grateful for the impact MVNU has had on her life. After graduation, she plans to stay in Mount Vernon and work in ministry with Starting Point Pregnancy and Family Resource Center.

She asks for prayer as she steps into this next season—seeking clarity and a continued opportunity to honor God in all she does.

Click HERE to learn more about WNZR!

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“Doing the Right Thing”: Jeff Scott Reflects on To Kill a Mockingbird Role

Jeff Scott returns to the stage as Atticus Finch in MTVArts’ To Kill a Mockingbird at the Woodward Opera House. He shares with WNZR why this iconic role—and its message about doing the right thing—still matters today.

WNZR’s Eric Brown talks with Jeff Scott, who is stepping into the role of Atticus Finch in MTVArts’ upcoming production of To Kill a Mockingbird at the Woodward Opera House.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

Jeff has lived in Mount Vernon since 2011 and serves as Executive Director of the Knox County Foundation. While he was involved in theater in college, he took nearly a 30-year break before returning to the stage in recent years.

He says Atticus is both iconic and challenging—a character defined by integrity and a commitment to doing what’s right, even when it’s difficult. Preparing for the role has meant learning a large number of lines and leaning on his familiarity with the story. Jeff says some of his favorite moments are the quieter scenes with Scout and Jem, which connect with him personally as a father.

Jeff has also enjoyed working with the young cast members, building relationships that help those family moments feel natural on stage. His own children have been involved with MTVArts for years, and he’s appeared in productions like The Sound of Music, Our Town, and A Few Good Men. For him, theater provides a creative outlet and a sense of balance.

Audiences can expect a faithful adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, tackling themes of racism, injustice, and courage, while still offering a message of hope. Jeff says that message—doing the right thing even when it’s hard—still resonates today.

Performances will be held Friday, May 8th and Saturday, May 9th at 7:30 p.m., with a Sunday matinee on May 10th at 2:00 p.m. at the Woodward Opera House.

Click HERE for ticket information!

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From Humble Beginnings to Something Bigger: The WNZR Story Across Generations

There’s something meaningful about watching a vision grow, especially when it carries across generations. That’s the story of WNZR through Jim McMillan and his son, Jayme.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

Jim McMillan, now principal at Grove City Christian, has spent nearly 29 years in education. But his connection to media goes back much further. As a student at Mount Vernon Nazarene University (Class of 1983), he helped build WNZR from the ground up.

In the early days, the “station” was a cleared-out 4×8 closet with a turntable, a microphone, and a four-channel board. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to get started. What mattered more was the energy around it. Students believed in what it could become.

During his sophomore year, Jim went through the application process to formally join the station. It meant research, preparation, and commitment. A turning point came during a weekend trip to the NRB Convention in Minnesota with Professor Dr. Smith. Somewhere along the way, it stopped feeling like just a project and started to feel like a calling.

Jim eventually served as production director and later station manager while WNZR was still taking shape. As construction on a real studio began, the anticipation across campus grew. Students broadcast over the breezeway so others could listen in passing. By his senior year, they were calling play-by-play for sports. It felt real.

At the time, WNZR operated on a limited carrier current system, but the goal was always to become a full FM station. Being there at the beginning made it even more meaningful to see that vision come to life.

Years later, that story continued with his son.

Jayme McMillan, Class of 2012, grew up hearing about WNZR, but living it was different. By the time he arrived, the station had grown, but it was still evolving. Sports broadcasting was central, and much of the work was hands-on. Running cables, setting up equipment, figuring things out as you went.

Video production started gaining traction during his later years, helping shift WNZR into something broader than radio. The station expanded its FM reach, and while online streaming existed, it was still finding its place. Even so, there was a clear sense of momentum. Leadership’s excitement, especially from Marcy, carried through the entire team.

One major step forward was “Big Blue,” the mobile broadcast unit. Before that, students packed gear into cars and vans for every event. Big Blue gave WNZR a visible presence and made the operation feel more established.

Some of the most memorable moments, though, were personal.

During Jayme’s freshman year, station leaders trusted two freshmen to keep things running while they were away. When the other student couldn’t make it, Jayme stepped in and ended up hosting an afternoon drive show with his dad. At the time, it was about handling responsibility. Looking back, it was something more.

For Jim, it was nerve-wracking. Even with experience, he didn’t want to let anyone down, especially Jayme. But it also gave him something he never had as a student, the chance to be on air, and to share it with his son.

Moments like that reflect what WNZR has always been about. It’s grown into radio, TV, and live streaming, but at its core, it’s about people and shared purpose.

There’s even a bit of friendly competition in the story. Jayme was named employee of the year twice. Jim earned it once. Jim jokes that someone had to build the foundation first. From a small student-built studio to a full media operation, the difference is hard to miss.

Through all that growth, one thing hasn’t changed.

Both Jim and Jayme point to the role faith has played in WNZR’s journey. Built in a small market with limited resources, the station has grown beyond what anyone expected, supported by both campus and community.

Jayme hopes that support continues, along with prayers for the station’s future. As technology changes, he wants WNZR to keep growing while staying true to its mission of serving and uplifting others.

Looking back, Jim doesn’t remember doubt in those early days. What stands out is the excitement. The belief that something meaningful was being built.

Decades later, that belief still holds.

Click HERE to learn more about WNZR!

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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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