Kenneth Upthegrove honored by African-American Awareness Research Council
Lead Summary
By
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The Highland County Press
Kenneth E. Upthegrove III of Washington Court House is the 2017 honoree of the African-American Awareness Research Council. The council presented the award to Mr. Upthegrove during its 2017 Black History Month program at the Hillsboro Library on Saturday, Feb. 18.
After a welcoming by Jennifer West of the Highland County District Library and an opening prayer by Pastor Wayne McLaughlin, the program continued with the introduction of Mr. Upthegrove as this year's honoree.
Mr. Upthegrove grew up in Washington Court House, where he attended Washington Senior High and studied residential electricity at Laurel Oaks. After graduation, he worked for Great Oaks Construction in a carpentry apprenticeship and earned his certification as a journeyman carpenter.
As a young man, Mr. Upthegrove began attending Heritage Memorial Church, where he is still a member and has taught the junior high Sunday school class for more than 37 years.
In 1982, he began working for the Washington City Schools, where he helped remodel school buildings. He was named maintenance supervisor in 1992. During this time, he also earned a vocational teacher's degree from Wright State University. He was an instructor at Laurel Oaks from 1995-2007. He received the Outstanding Teacher Award in 1998 and retired from education in 2012.
Currently, he holds the position of environmental service supervisor while serving on the Washington City Schools Board of Education. He also serves as Rose Avenue youth leader and as a Master Mason at the Cedar Grove Lodge 17.
He is married to attorney Melissa Upthegrove, and has three sons.
In addition to the award presentation, Hurd Scott Latimer served as a guest speaker, addressing “Being Black in America in 2017.” Rev. Latimer is a retired Ohio Department of Natural Resources park officer who worked at the Rocky Fork State Park. He is currently the pastor at the Fall Creek Friends Church.
Each February, the Highland County District Library and the African-American Awareness Research Council present a Black History Month program to honor the lifetime achievements of an area individual or to highlight an aspect of this local community's history.
The African-American Awareness Research Council members include President Charles Harris, Perry Harewood, Arlene Cole, Barbara Cole, Cindy Harris, Rosa Thomas, Lolita Williams, Elsie Young and Library Consultant Jennifer West. Associate members include: Eleanor Cumberland, Constance Ford, Clara Goodrich, Hurd Scott Latimer, Edna Raney and Robert L. Smith.
– Special thanks to Jennifer West, Alex Butler and Rosemary Ryan
Kenneth E. Upthegrove III of Washington Court House is the 2017 honoree of the African-American Awareness Research Council. The council presented the award to Mr. Upthegrove during its 2017 Black History Month program at the Hillsboro Library on Saturday, Feb. 18.
After a welcoming by Jennifer West of the Highland County District Library and an opening prayer by Pastor Wayne McLaughlin, the program continued with the introduction of Mr. Upthegrove as this year's honoree.
Mr. Upthegrove grew up in Washington Court House, where he attended Washington Senior High and studied residential electricity at Laurel Oaks. After graduation, he worked for Great Oaks Construction in a carpentry apprenticeship and earned his certification as a journeyman carpenter.
As a young man, Mr. Upthegrove began attending Heritage Memorial Church, where he is still a member and has taught the junior high Sunday school class for more than 37 years.
In 1982, he began working for the Washington City Schools, where he helped remodel school buildings. He was named maintenance supervisor in 1992. During this time, he also earned a vocational teacher's degree from Wright State University. He was an instructor at Laurel Oaks from 1995-2007. He received the Outstanding Teacher Award in 1998 and retired from education in 2012.
Currently, he holds the position of environmental service supervisor while serving on the Washington City Schools Board of Education. He also serves as Rose Avenue youth leader and as a Master Mason at the Cedar Grove Lodge 17.
He is married to attorney Melissa Upthegrove, and has three sons.
In addition to the award presentation, Hurd Scott Latimer served as a guest speaker, addressing “Being Black in America in 2017.” Rev. Latimer is a retired Ohio Department of Natural Resources park officer who worked at the Rocky Fork State Park. He is currently the pastor at the Fall Creek Friends Church.
Each February, the Highland County District Library and the African-American Awareness Research Council present a Black History Month program to honor the lifetime achievements of an area individual or to highlight an aspect of this local community's history.
The African-American Awareness Research Council members include President Charles Harris, Perry Harewood, Arlene Cole, Barbara Cole, Cindy Harris, Rosa Thomas, Lolita Williams, Elsie Young and Library Consultant Jennifer West. Associate members include: Eleanor Cumberland, Constance Ford, Clara Goodrich, Hurd Scott Latimer, Edna Raney and Robert L. Smith.
– Special thanks to Jennifer West, Alex Butler and Rosemary Ryan