ARDL named Barberton Community Foundation's 2026 Business or Organization Game Changer Award recipient. August 17, 2026 Great Trail Council, Scouting America, and Ignite Brewing Company named 2026 Game Changer Award honorees. BARBERTON, Ohio - Akron Rubber Development Laboratory, Inc. (ARDL) has been selected as Barberton Community Foundation's 2026 Game Changer Award recipient in the business or organization category for helping build a direct pathway from Barberton classrooms to careers in the polymer industry. Through its partnership with Barberton City School District, ARDL has gone beyond introducing students to its industry. The company helped initiate and co-develop Barberton High School's dual-credit polymer science course, contributing staff time, technical expertise, curriculum development, classroom demonstrations, facility visits, and hands-on learning experiences. Fifteen students participated in the course during the 2025-26 school year, and 22 students are registered for the 2026-27 school year. ARDL has already hired two Barberton High School students from the 2025-26 course, demonstrating how the pathway can lead from classroom learning to local employment. ARDL's impact also extends beyond the students enrolled in the dedicated polymer course. Through its broader work with Barberton City School District, hundreds of students receive hands-on polymer experiences in chemistry classes and other courses. ARDL employees introduce students to industry equipment and processes, as well as the range of careers, training programs, and post-secondary opportunities available in the field. "ARDL does more than tell students that careers in the polymer industry are available. They helped develop the curriculum, created hands-on learning opportunities, and built a pathway that has already led to jobs for two Barberton students," said Josh Gordon, executive director of Barberton Community Foundation. "They saw an opportunity to connect education with local employment, and they stepped forward to help make it happen. That kind of partnership creates momentum for our students, our workforce, and our community. That is what makes ARDL a game changer." "ARDL is committed to the pursuit of knowledge and wanted to share this commitment with the Barberton community. For me, the Barberton High School class is just the tip of the iceberg; I would like to create a certificate program for polymer manufacturing and maintenance," said Nicki Hershberger, V.P. of Technical Consulting at ARDL. ARDL's work advances the Foundation's Workforce Development and Career Pathways strategic priority by connecting education, technical training, and employment. It also provides a model for how employers and educators can work together to prepare Barberton students and residents for stable, high-skill careers with strong earning potential and opportunities for advancement in a major regional industry. "In my experience white-collar jobs are more mobile than skilled blue-collar jobs. Therefore, if you want an area to prosper you must focus on skilled blue-collar pathways. I believe that if we create a sustainable, skilled polymer manufacturing pathway for students and adults alike then businesses will come. When the businesses come Barberton and the surrounding communities will prosper," Hershberger said. ARDL was selected by Barberton Community Foundation's Community Engagement Committee from three finalists in the business or organization category. The Game Changer Award recognizes businesses and organizations whose leadership, service, and influence have strengthened Barberton and created meaningful, lasting community impact. Great Trail Council, Scouting America, and Ignite Brewing Company have been named 2026 Game Changer Award honorees in recognition of their significant contributions to Barberton. This year, the Foundation expanded its awards program to recognize honorees, ensuring that exceptional nominees who rise to the top receive meaningful public recognition for their impact. Honorees remain eligible for future nomination. Great Trail Council, Scouting America Great Trail Council was named an honoree for its longstanding investment in Barberton youth through leadership development, community service, outdoor experiences, and career exploration. Its local Scouting legacy spans more than a century, and nomination materials identify at least 425 Eagle Scouts from Barberton-area programs. Their service projects have improved parks, memorials, public spaces, and charitable initiatives throughout the community. The organization also reaches Barberton students beyond traditional Scouting. Barberton Middle School's seventh-grade experience at Camp Manatoc has continued for more than 40 years. During the past four years, Great Trail Council's Exploring program has also connected more than 600 Barberton middle and high school students with careers, regional employers, and mentors. Ignite Brewing Company Ignite Brewing Company was named an honoree for using its business, team, and downtown gathering space to support local causes and bring people together. Its owners transformed a vacant former tire-service building into a destination that draws residents and visitors to West Tuscarawas Avenue while contributing to the continued revitalization of downtown Barberton. Through its "Making Beer Make a Difference" mission, Ignite has hosted fundraisers, organized food drives, distributed meals, donated space and staff support, and built partnerships with schools, nonprofit organizations, public safety organizations, and local families. Nomination materials report more than $100,000 in community contributions through 2025, including complete Thanksgiving meals for Barberton families and school supplies for local students. ARDL, Great Trail Council, and Ignite Brewing Company will be celebrated at Barberton Community Foundation's Annual Dinner at 6 p.m. on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at John S. Knight Center in Akron. As the 2026 Business or Organization Game Changer Award recipient, ARDL will be featured in a video celebrating its impact and will receive the coveted Don Drumm Award during the event. Great Trail Council and Ignite Brewing Company will be welcomed as honored guests and recognized on stage. Tickets and sponsorships may be purchased here: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/2anndin/event/202anndinreganspocop/ ## About Barberton Community Foundation Established in 1996, Barberton Community Foundation has awarded over 8,500 grants and scholarships totaling more than $109 million since its inception. The Foundation strives to improve, now and forever, the quality of life for Barberton residents by providing leadership on vital issues, fostering collaboration and creating a legacy of giving to do good. The Foundation strengthens the community for current and future generations by proactively directing its grant dollars to the community's greatest needs. To read more about Barberton Community Foundation, visit www.barbertoncf.org or follow Barberton Community Foundation on Facebook at facebook.com/barbertoncommunityfoundation.

Buffalo Trace Council names Grant Reigelman scout executive. Dave DeMille Evansville Courier & Press Aug. 12, 2026, 4:03 a.m. CT Grant Reigelman has been selected as the new Scout Executive of the Buffalo Trace Council, which serves a 15-county region across southwestern Indiana and southeastern Illinois. In the role, Reigelman will oversee a council that serves nearly 2,000 youth, according to a community announcement. He succeeds John Harding, who retired in April following a 39-year career with Scouting America. Based in Evansville, the Buffalo Trace Council said Reigelman was chosen following a national search conducted by a committee of council leaders and volunteers. Reigelman began his professional Scouting career in 2010 as a district executive with the Conquistador Council in Roswell, New Mexico. He later served as associate director of program and director of the Philmont Training Center in Cimarron, New Mexico. He also was director of logistics for the National Scout Jamboree 2021 team in Irving, Texas. Most recently, Reigelman worked as assistant scout executive for the Mid-Iowa Council in Des Moines, Iowa. "Bringing quality Scouting experiences to youth and families in our region is something that the Buffalo Trace Council has excelled at for more than a century, and I'm looking forward to working with volunteers and staff to continue to build on that success," said Reigelman. Lifelong ties to Scouting. Reigelman has been involved in Scouting throughout his life. He grew up in a Scouting family and spent part of his childhood at Philmont Scout Ranch, where his father served as director of program. As a youth participant, Reigelman earned the Eagle Scout rank and was named a Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow. He remains active in Scouting as a professional and a parent. Reigelman and his wife, Roni, have two children, and the family participates in Scouting programs. Leadership transition for Buffalo Trace Council. Council President David Hayhurst said Reigelman brings extensive experience to the position as the organization looks to expand its programs. "Grant brings lifelong enthusiasm and knowledge to this role, and we are pleased to welcome him and his family to our community and to the local Scouting movement," Hayhurst said. Harding retired in April after nearly four decades with Scouting America. Council officials said the selection process included leadership and volunteer representatives from the Buffalo Trace Council. This story was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.

Lincoln University chartered as home of Scouting America Explorer Post 6265. Office of Communications and Marketing Young Hall 820 Chestnut Street Jefferson City, MO 65101 July 31st, 2026 Lincoln University of Missouri is expanding career exploration opportunities for local youth through Explorer Post 6265, a new partnership with Scouting America and area public safety agencies focused on public safety and emergency management careers. Lincoln University of Missouri is expanding opportunities for local high school students to explore careers in public safety and emergency management through a new partnership with Scouting America and area public safety agencies. The university has officially been chartered as the sponsoring organization for Scouting America's Explorer Post 6265, providing youth ages 14-21 with hands-on learning experiences, mentorship and career exploration in law enforcement, fire service, emergency medical services and emergency management. The Explorer Post is the result of a collaborative effort among Lincoln University, local public safety agencies and Scouting America. Initial approval for the program was granted by the Jefferson City Council last fall, and following completion of the chartering process, Scouting America has officially issued the charter for Explorer Post 6265. The program is designed to connect youth ages 14-21 with hands-on learning experiences and career exploration in public safety fields, including fire service, emergency medical services and law enforcement. Through partnerships with local agencies, participants will have opportunities to gain practical experience while learning about careers in public service. "Explorer Post 6265 carries forward Lincoln University's legacy of service by creating opportunities for students to explore careers that make a difference in their communities," said Darius Watson, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Professional Studies and Assistant Provost for Workforce Development. For Lincoln University, the Explorer Post strengthens partnerships with area public safety agencies while creating a direct pathway for recruiting local high school students into the university's expanding security sciences and emergency management initiatives. The program's career-focused approach aligns with Lincoln University's continued efforts to expand emergency services education, training and certification opportunities, including the Law Enforcement Training Academy (LULETA) and the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certificate program. University News