ORCHID: To Newton Falls fifth grader Trenton Williams for submerging himself into deep, deep studies of sharks. Last year, Trenton was one of only 20 students nationwide to be accepted into the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy camp in Chatham, Massachusetts, where he participated in a series of intensive study of sharks. This year, he was selected to attend a Shark Quest camp in Wilmington, North Carolina. With so much knowledge and so many experiences already under his belt, Trenton looks like a natural for a stellar career in marine biology — with a specialization in sharks, of course.

ONION: To registered voters in the Mahoning Valley who fail to vote on or before Election Day and thereby shirk one of the most vital responsibilities of citizenship. All votes matter, and in some local races, a mere handful of additional votes would have changed outcomes. Such apathy toward playing a role in our participatory democracy also forfeits the missing-in-action voters from the right to complain about the type of leaders others have elected for them. Don’t be one of those people. Vote Saturday or Sunday at county boards of election, or at your local poll site from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

ORCHID: To Sarah Boyarko, vice president of economic development for Lake to River Economic Development, for her recent induction into the Association of Ohio Commodores, an organization that helps the state with economic development growth. Gov. Mike DeWine appointed her in recognition of her outstanding contributions to economic development in the Mahoning Valley and the state. Since taking on the post at Lake to River, Boyarko and her team have already generated $72 million of pending investment throughout the region that could result in the creation of 200 jobs. Such a short term record of achievement bodes well for long-term progress in the Valley under Boyarko’s astute leadership.

ONION: To comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, a Youngstown native, for his crude and racist joke he delivered at a Make America Great Again rally in New York City’s Madison Square Garden last weekend. Hinchcliffe has made a name for himself nationally by disparaging Puerto Rico as “garbage,” but it is notoriety that likely will harm his career more than help it. We are at least pleased international reports on the joke did not sully the reputation of his hometown. It appears today that the joke’s on him.

ORCHID: To Phantom Fireworks owner Bruce Zoldan for donating $5 million to support programming at the Youngstown State University Dana School of Music. Zoldan, a philanthropist extraordinaire for YSU, reversed his earlier decision to withhold donations to the university over its hiring of President Bill Johnson one year ago. We applaud Zoldan for putting community betterment above politics with this donation. Kudos, too, for his plans for another fundraiser for the internationally acclaimed music school that he hopes will raise $10 million.

ORCHID: To Warren-based 717 Credit Union for launching a $1 million initiative to assist small businesses in downtown Youngstown that were adversely affected by the explosion at Realty Tower and road detours over the past few years. For every auto loan refinanced through 717, it will give up to $250 in gift cards to support downtown businesses. 717 has taken a special interest in revitalizing the downtown as a primary sponsor of the recent celebration, The Open. We’re certain businesses in the central city are fortunate to have 717 to bank on as they revive their livelihoods.

ORCHID: To the Youngstown Model Railroad Association for its honor of being selected for an eight-page presentation in the January 2025 issue of Model Railroader magazine, the largest magazine in the nation devoted to the hobby. The feature will focus on the impressive HO scale train scene layout at its headquarters on Four Mile Run Road in Austintown. Fortunately, those of us in the Mahoning Valley can get a closeup view of the layout during the association’s open house scheduled the first two weekends in November and December.