The Educational Service Center of the Western Reserve recently recognized John Epprecht and Leslie Mapes, who were honored at the 2025 Ohio Educational Service Center Association Awards in Columbus. Epprecht, the executive vice president of Great Lakes Cheese, received the Outstanding Leadership Awa rd-Community Service. According to the association, the award recognizes a community leader who has provided exceptional service, benefiting local school districts, county school systems or educational service center initiatives. Epprecht has served on ESCWR’s Business Advisory Council for the past 10 years, demonstrating a longstanding commitment to strengthening educational and workforce pathways for students. Officials added that his “steadfast leadership and dedication to fostering collaboration between business and education have created meaningful opportunities that enhance youth development and workforce readiness across the region.” Mapes, COO of Fieldstone Farm, was presented with the Teamwork Award, which honors an educational service center partner organization that exemplifies collaboration and inspires others to view ESCs as a connected network and community. Additionally, the ESCWR highlights its longstanding collaboration with Fieldstone Farm through Gaitway High School, an alternative education program operated by the ESCWR and located on the Fieldstone Farm campus in Chagrin Falls. For over 15 years, Gaitway has served students from districts across Northeast Ohio by providing a personalized, trauma-informed and experiential learning environment designed for individuals who may have encountered challenges in traditional school settings. Officials emphasized that the partnership between ESCWR and Fieldstone Farm stands as a model of how innovative, community‑based programming can transform student outcomes and provide meaningful, life‑changing educational experiences. “These award recipients represent the very best of what can be achieved when schools, businesses and communities work together to support students,” said ESCWR Superintendent Jennifer Felker. “Their leadership, generosity and collaboration continue to strengthen educational outcomes across our region.” ...read more read less