Certainly living up to its name, Ohio University Southern’s Academy of Excellence continues to try to help local students achieve that aforementioned pinnacle of success.

For two weeks this June and July the educational workshop returns and continues to be a shining example of ways to educate and entertain the youth of our region at the same time.

Now in its 31st year, the Academy continues to offer a variety of youth programs for students entering first through eighth grades.

The classes, which range from video production to music to art and much more, offer an education that isn’t often found in a typical classroom and helps expand their horizons.

It can truly open students’ eyes to the possibilities of college.

With the capacity of only 200 students the program is somewhat exclusive, although is open to any student in those age ranges.

The university has lost some of its funding for the program yet continues to offer it as a service with the organizers hoping businesses and organizations to make donations to defray costs and create scholarships for lower income families to send their children.

This is certainly a worthy cause and would be money well spent.

It is said that investing in our children’s education is investing in our future. Truer words have never been spoken.