Darke County, OH – Nominations are now being accepted for the 2026 IGNITE Awards, a recognition program celebrating students who are actively engaging in career development through partnerships with local educators and businesses.

The IGNITE Award honors students who have demonstrated initiative and commitment to their future by participating in real-world, career-connected learning experiences. Eligible activities include mentoring, part-time employment, internships, co-op programs, entrepreneurship, and other collaborative business and education partnerships.

Students who are currently enrolled as juniors or seniors in high school, post-secondary programs, or adult education and training programs—including credential and certification programs—are eligible to be nominated.

Nominations may be submitted by employers, educators, or both. In addition to honoring the students, the program also recognizes the educators and business mentors who support and guide them along their career pathways.

Award recipients and nominators will be recognized during the Darke County Economic Forum on May 1, 2026. The event highlights workforce development efforts and celebrates partnerships that strengthen the local talent pipeline.

The deadline to submit nominations is Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Award recipients and nominators will be notified following the review process.

Community members are encouraged to take part in recognizing students who are building valuable skills and contributing to Darke County’s future workforce.

To submit a nomination, visit: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf1dOoaeMzP1COi40Zp5bCFBfZaJqN9NiK4q0Ob1_dcQoi8YQ/viewform?usp=header

RICHMOND, Ind. – Whitewater Community Television and Richmond Community Schools are forming a two-year partnership to bring more broadcasting opportunities to the community.

WCTV is relocating its offices to the Richmond High School Career Center. Discussions about the collaboration began last summer.

“We began discussion about helping during time of uncertainty back in the summer. Right away, we knew that a strong partnership at the very least was going to happen,” said Josh Amyx, director of the Richmond Area Career Center.

Discussions quickly evolved into a plan that brings WCTV back to where it was established.

“In working through logistics, it just made sense for them to move to their original home!” Amyx said.

Students in Richmond’s Radio/TV program are moving directly across the hallway from WCTV’s space. The move gives students hands-on experience in real-world media operations.

“They will see what day-to-day operations are like with community members and also be participating in Work-Based Learning opportunities with WCTV as part of our Capstone experience,” he said.

The collaboration also supports Indiana’s new diploma seal requirements, which emphasize work-based learning. “For the new Indiana diploma seals, students must participate in different levels of WBL. Each unique experience that is over 25 hours will count toward their WBL requirements for the different diploma seals. This number ranges from 75 total hours to 650 total hours.”

Beyond meeting state requirements, the partnership is designed to help students develop key skills in media production. “Skills and Competencies are going to be a major part of this partnership. We hope students will gain the skills necessary to work in, promote, and maybe even run a studio someday. Students in the Radio/TV program will have an amazing opportunity to grow and showcase their skills working both in front of and behind the camera as we move forward with the partnership,” Amyx added.

The Richmond Area Career Center hopes to maintain and expand the partnership for years to come. “So far, WCTV and RCS has been on the same page, communicating, dreaming, and working together to make this a reality,” Amyx said.

The program is a model of how schools, businesses, and the community can work together to prepare students for the workforce.

“When schools, businesses, and the community work together for students, amazing things are bound to happen for all parties involved. By growing our own workforce from within, we fill gaps in the economic development of Richmond and Wayne County. Everybody wins with this partnership!”

WAYNE COUNTY, Ind. – The Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce has introduced Student Future Success (SFS) as the new umbrella brand for its Work-Based Learning initiatives across the county.

The initiative is meant to make it easier for students, schools, employers, and community partners to find and understand opportunities. It offers support for career exploration, job shadowing, internships, and hands-on learning experiences.

Chamber officials say the new identity will create a clearer connection between different programs, helping students build toward future career goals over time.

The new branding is not intended to change how school programs operate or alter district rules. Instead, it’s meant to support existing initiatives by giving them a single name and visual identity.

More information about Student Future Success and Work-Based Learning initiatives can be found on the Chamber’s website.

WAYNE COUNTY, Ind. – The NAACP Indiana Branch #3066 is holding a town hall on Tuesday, Feb. 3, focused on freedom of speech policies. The event will run from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the Earlham College CoLab and will include free food.

The town hall will bring community members together for discussions led by facilitators in smaller breakout sessions, rather than the usual panel format in previous meetings. The goal is to allow for more in-depth conversations about what people can and cannot say, especially online.

“The NAACP really is trying to provide the community with the knowledge and tools it needs to navigate some of the changing policies that are occurring,” said Debbie Carter, with the NAACP.

The goal is to share information, data, and guidance to attendees.

This marks the fourth town hall hosted by Richmond’s chapter.

“Really, we’re just looking at what’s happening in the world, what’s happening in our country and in our city, and trying to fill the needs and concerns,” Carter said.

Attendees can expect to leave with actionable ideas on how to make a difference in their community.

“You’re going to learn something,” Carter said. “You’re going to really learn how you can fit into what’s happening today, how you can make an impact, how you can make a difference.”

She added that community members have many ways to get involved, from writing and calling officials to donating to causes.

The NAACP is a non-partisan organization. The town hall is sponsored by the Wayne County Foundation, Reid Health, and Indiana University East, with Earlham College serving as the host.

Carter said the Richmond branch is a diverse group and welcomes community members of all backgrounds.

“We have something for everyone,” she said.

More information can be found on the NAACP Facebook page.