West Orange Assistant Police Chief Jesse Romero and West Orange-Stark High student Ryan Ragsdale were honored for their community service Thursday night at the 73rd annual Camp Fire Banquet.
Each year, the Orange Council of Camp Fire pays tribute to an adult and youth for their contributions to the community.
KOGT’s Gary Stelly introduced Romero, who has been with the West Orange Police Department for 25 years. He is a graduate of the Lamar Police Academy and West Orange-Stark High School. Stelly described him as “the man who knows the definition of ‘protect and serve.’
Romero told the group he appreciates the honor and recalled the day 34 years ago that he told his father he didn’t want to go to college. “I wanted to be a policeman,” he said.
Besides his work in law enforcement, Romero also volunteers in different projects and helps with Camp Fire’s Camp Otanya.
He thanked his wife, Tina, and his two children for their support of his work. Gina Simar, president of the Camp Fire board of directors, said the organization “is very gratified for all you do.”
Meri Ellen Jacobs, the journalism teacher at West Orange-Stark High School, introduced Ragsdale. He was center on the state championship football team and was named to the All-District First Team in football. In addition, he was on the state finalist football team in 2014 and on the state finalist baseball team in 2015.
Ragsdale is a member of the school’s National Honor Society and on the All-A Honor Roll. He serves on the student council and was recently named a finalist in the Stark Reading Contest.
She said Ragsdale “takes time for children” and her two grandchildren fight over him.”
Ragsdale has been a summer day camp counselor for Camp Fire and said he will return this summer.
The youth service award is named in honor of the late Dan Domas, Ragsdale’s cousin. Domas also was a counselor for Camp Fire.
Ragsdale said “kids made me smile every day” at camp and added he loves it. Simar added that “the kids love him.”
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