SOUTHERN LOCAL INDIANS
Utica Shale Grads Empowered to Become Trailblazers
With a turn of the tassel, fourteen seniors became the latest graduates of the Utica Shale Academy.
Southern Local High School hosted the second annual commencement ceremony on Thursday and celebrated the newest crop of alumni with words citing them as trailblazers who were carving their own path in the world. Seniors Christian Gillespie and Anthony Scalise respectively led the Pledge of Allegiance and invocation and Academy Director Eric Sampson welcomed guests, calling the occasion a brief moment in time that for graduates was years in the making.
“As I was thinking about this evening and these students and the journeys they have taken to get here, I was reminded of a famous poem,” he said, quoting a line from Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken.” “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, and I—I took the one less traveled by. And that has made all the difference.
“Graduates, all of you have been faced with the decision of which path to choose in life. Some of you go left, some of you go right, while others make a trail through the forest. Regardless of which path you have chosen you’ve all ended up at the same place. Here today, ending this journey, beginning anew. I must say, I am proud of all of you and congratulations.”
He then introduced commencement speaker Rhonda Reda, executive director of the Ohio Oil and Gas Energy Education Program (OOGEEP). Utica Shale Academy has counted OOGEEP among one of its partners and a vital resource when it comes to preparing a future workforce for the shale industry. Reda also congratulated the graduates and said they had an opportunity to join an amazing venture that helps people near and far.
“You should certainly be proud of yourself for accomplishing this goal,” Reda added as she also recognized families for their support. “Graduation is just one of those steps in life that defines a coming of age. You may be a leader, you may be a doer…but you will make an impact. The future can be extremely exciting and very scary, too.”
Reda said life may not always be what people plan and there may be battles along the way, but true success is defined by how they handle those times.
“It’s a tough world out there and nothing is handed to you. You have to earn it, and when you earn it you feel better because you earned it and it wasn’t handed to you.”
Reda described the oil and gas industry as a close-knit family of dedicated and extremely hard workers who can face long hours and something different each day. She said there were a wide variety of careers available from truck drivers to machinists and seismologists, and at the end of the day they can say they applied scientific methods to extract natural resources from the earth. Those resources ultimately create those products that impact every person’s life, from fuel and plastics to tires, parachutes, and even medicine, and that was a remarkable experience to be part of.
“We want to make a difference in the life of our family, we want to make a difference in our community, we want to make a difference in our country, and we want to make a difference around the world,” she noted. “If oil and gas is your career, you are part of one of the most advanced careers out there and that touches many lives. You certainly have taken key steps forward. It is hard work, but you have spent months training with new skill sets. It’s not the path to graduation itself that counts, it’s what you’ve learned along the way. Seize the opportunity. In this region, there are phenomenal opportunities. Go out there and make a difference.”
Echoing Sampson’s remarks, Reda also quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Do not follow where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”
Sixteen seniors earned diplomas and Sampson and USA Board President Mike Biasi presented them to the 14 graduates on hand: Taylor Ballard, Josef Gibson, Christian Gillespie, Wesley Householder, Charlie Knight, Austin Lemasters, Jaqulen May, Brandi McCall, James Miller, Katherine Oates, Gabriel Richards, Anthony Scalise, Makayla Nicole Spicer and Tylor Thompson. Senior Charlie Knight then led the group in the turning of the tassels on their caps, presenting the Class of 2016.
Dr. Mark Furda, superintendent of the academy, made closing remarks and recognized the board members and partners for the opportunities they provided the youth. He also credited Brian Logue, representative of Express Energy LLC and member of USA’s advisory council, for sharing his expertise with the students. Moreover, Dr. Furda thanked the graduates’ families for supporting their children and the academy itself. He encouraged the new alumni to thank those who have supported them in their journey and also to continue their education.
“It’s probably the only thing in life you can’t get enough of. Learning and education are valuable, and no one has ever regretted learning.”
One of those graduates is now on his way. Wes Householder, of Richmond, plans to study engineering technology and management first at Ohio University Eastern and transfer to the main campus in Athens. He said his time at the academy has shown him what the industry entails, and he is grateful.
“It gave me an idea of what the industry goes through. It opened my eyes on one hand with safety,” he said, adding that his chosen field covers a wide area. “I like to work and there are a lot of jobs in the oil and gas field. Coming here really gave me an opportunity to see what’s out there in the industrial world.”
Enrollment is currently under way for the new class. For more information, contact Sampson at (740) 679-8162 or go to the website at uticashaleschool.com.
(Photo Cutline: Rhonda Reda, executive director of the Ohio Oil and Gas Energy Education Program, was the featured speaker during the Utica Shale Academy’s commencement ceremony on Thursday. Fourteen seniors were on hand to obtain their diploma and were encouraged to blaze a trail into a successful future.)
Officials Gather Ideas to Enhance Utica Shale Academy
STEUBENVILLE- As the Utica Shale Academy enters its third year, officials have begun looking at ways to expound upon programs and offerings to enhance education for a future workforce.
Representatives of the Utica Shale Academy Industry Advisory Committee met May 4 with officials from Chesapeake Energy, Express Energy LLC, West Virginia Northern Community College, and the Ohio Oil and Gas Energy Education Program (OOGEEP). The session was conducted at the Jefferson County Educational Service Center in Steubenville, which sponsors the academy, with the purpose of enhancing training opportunities to give students a true advantage as they venture into employment.
“We brought people in from different parts of the oil and gas industry’s business and education sector to discuss things we want to look at as we move students through the program,” said USA Director Eric Sampson. “It was a roundtable brainstorming session to get ideas of what makes kids the most marketable and certifiable.”
Sampson added that leaders were looking to incorporate those ideas into the academy’s program, and some suggestions included adding first aid, SafeLand, and heavy equipment certification. The next step is to view logistics to make it all happen.
Among those in attendance were Leo Gonot of WVNCC, Brett Farnsworth of Chesapeake, Tyler Krimm of Express Energy, Charlie Dixon of OOGEEP, JCESC CEO Dr. George Ash, JCESC Superintendent Dr. Chuck Kokiko, Southern Local Schools Superintendent John Wilson, USA Advisory Board President Mike Biasi, USA Superintendent Dr. Mark Furda and Brian Logue, a representative of Express Energy and committee member.
“We convene each year to keep a pulse on the industry and see what we can do to make students more marketable or able to go on to secondary education,” Sampson noted. “I want to give a big thank you to those who took the time out to come help us improve our program.”
“One of the goals of Utica Shale Academy was to offer an education path to students in preparing for a career in Ohio’s oil and gas industry,” added Dr. Kokiko. “As sponsor of the school, we are pleased to see the school staying true to their mission and working directly with experts in the field to provide a genuine experience with the best learning opportunities possible.”
Meanwhile, Logue saw the gathering as an opportunity to bring officials together under one roof and formulate ideas to expound upon the program.
“The meeting was successful,” he said. “The input we got from individuals will help with programs next year at the Utica Shale Academy. There were some really good ideas. [The industry’s] slow but it’s still strong in Ohio, and it will increase hiring in the future.”
As of now, 16 students are set to graduate and is an increase from 10 people during its inaugural year. A banquet and ceremony will be held at Southern Local High School starting at 6 p.m. for graduates and their families and members of the Utica Shale Academy Board of Directors will confer diplomas. Keynote speaker for the evening will be Rhonda Reda, executive director of OOGEEP and Ohio Oil and Gas Energy Education Foundation.
Enrollment is currently under way for the 2016-17 term and is open to any student in grades 9-12 from throughout Ohio. The academy, which yields 70 students between its main location at Southern Local and satellite site at Columbiana High School, offers a tuition-free program incorporating traditional high school subjects and specialized courses relevant to the energy industry. The program provides flexible scheduling, blended learning, and hands-on activities. Students will also be eligible for oil and gas-specific certifications so they can leave high school ready to enter the job market. The site works with PetroEd to help students gain International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) certification, which includes Drilling Instructors Training (DIT), WellSHARP, and Safety RigPass.
For more information, contact Sampson at (740) 679-8162 or go to the website at uticashaleschool.com.
(Photo Cutline: The Utica Shale Academy Advisory Committee recently met with oil and gas officials to brainstorm ways to improve upon programs as the academy prepares to enter its third year. USA and has already expanded from the main site at Southern Local High School and a satellite location with another location at Columbiana High School. Pictured are, clockwise from left, Leo Gonot of West Virginia Northern Community College; Brett Farnsworth of Chesapeake Energy; Tyler Krimm of Express Energy Services LLC; Brian Logue, advisory committee member and representative of Express Energy LLC; Dr. George Ash, CEO of the Jefferson County Educational Service Center; John Wilson, superintendent of Southern Local Schools; Eric Sampson, director of Utica Shale Academy; Charlie Dixon of the Ohio Oil and Gas Energy Education Program; Mike Biasi, president of the Utica Shale Academy Advisory Board; and Dr. Mark Furda, superintendent of the Utica Shale Academy.)
Kudos for Creativity
Photo Cutline: The Southern Local Health Profession Affinity Community (HPAC) received creativity award for their T-shirt design, “Heroin Awareness Prevention: Pugs Not Drugs,” during Scholars Day 2016 at the Northeastern Ohio College of Medicine (NEOMED) in Rootstown. The school chapter, which is wrapping up its second year, has been raising awareness about substance abuse and available help to people at school and in the community. Pictured in their original tees are, from left, members Samantha Riggs, Cara Davis, Jessica Halliday, Emilee Joy, Nicole Aderhold, and Cassie Wicker.
Reese Uses Universal Language to Teach Students
With the strum of a guitar, teacher Jim Reese reaches his 61 fourth-grade Language Arts students in a way that moves beyond mere words.
Reese, who has taught for the past 28 years, inspires his young charges through the universal language of music, treating them to folk songs every few weeks as a reward. Heads bob and feet tap along to the sounds of Jim Croce and Creedence Clearwater Revival as the children chime in on lyrics of “Roller Derby Girl,” “Bullfrogs and Butterflies,” and “Proud Mary.” He said he has used his guitar as an instrument of learning.
“I have done it before. It’s a fantastic tool,” he added. “I think it’s important to reading because they are reading these words but are singing them. Whether you realize it, you are reading words when you sing.”
He also teaches poetry by repeatedly reciting such works as Edgar Albert Guest‘s “Equipment,” which was a favorite of Dr. George Washington Carver’s that can he can be heard reciting at an audio station at Tuskegee University. Reese demonstrates his teaching technique by immediately reciting stanzas as the students join in with him: “Figure it out for yourself, my lad. You've all that the greatest of men have had: Two arms, two hands, two legs, two eyes, and a brain to use if you would be wise. With this equipment they all began, so start for the top and say ‘I can.’"
Reese has also incorporated music into his Reader’s Theater, in which students read narratives and sing tunes. As part of their Christmas program, the pupils read “’Twas The Night Before Christmas” and peppered in such songs such as “Jolly Old Saint Nicholas” and “This Train is Bound for Glory.” The family program returned after a hiatus of several years but the performance for students in grades K-3 was a new addition.
Whether it is for the holidays or another day, he said the students have come to appreciate his innovative way of learning.
“I played before I started teaching and used it in other jobs,” he said, including at opportunity homes with residents. “Wherever I’ve been I’ve taken my guitar and it’s been positive. When I started subbing at Southern Local, many parents wanted me to be hired because of my rapport with the students. Since then, I’ve taught grades 3-5. It doesn’t matter what age they are, they’ve enjoyed it. Some of the kids I’ve had still ask 25 years later if I still play.”
(Photo Cutline: Jim Reese, a fourth-grade teacher at Southern Local Elementary School, incorporates music into his Language Arts lessons as a reward and his young students enjoy using it as an innovative learning tool.)
New Buses Added to Southern Local’s Fleet
SALINEVILLE-Some new buses will be hitting the road this August after Southern Local Schools recently added vehicles to its fleet.
District Transportation Supervisor Rob Marra said two Freightliner C2 models arrived last week and bring the fleet up to a total of 16 buses. The vehicles cost an estimated $81,500 each and were acquired through a lease to purchase agreement with Myers Equipment of Canfield. About 815 students are transported to and from the elementary and high schools and Marra said the newer vehicles provide more fuel efficiency.
“We are going to try to keep around 15 or 16 buses in the rotation during their life cycle and will gain about three to 3.5 miles per gallon,” he said, noting the district last purchased a new bus around late 2012 and he plans to update the fleet with within a more regular cycle. “I set it up so we can get two vehicles every three years.”
Like the older models in the fleet, both of the 71-passenger buses are equipped with Insta-chains for use on backroads in inclement winter weather and crossing arms so children walk 10 feet in front of the buses in a safer manner. However, the updated vehicles have GPS systems that the current ones do not and Marra hopes to add more buses with similar amenities in the future. Meanwhile, the two older buses which were replaced have been given new life elsewhere.
“We usually trade the older ones out, but the last three went to other school districts [within the region],” he added.
(Photo Cutline: Students in Southern Local Schools will have some updated transportation when they return after the district added two new buses to the fleet. District Transportation Supervisor Rob Marra said the fleet currently yields 16 vehicles and he hopes to replace two units every three years.)
District Showcase Draws Students, Parents
SALINEVILLE-Southern Local High and Elementary Schools were on display during the 11th annual District Showcase on March 17.
Parents joined students for an evening of activities, including musical performances by the elementary and high school bands, a sneak preview of the upcoming SLHS production “Into The Woods,” nearly two dozen informational booths featuring health and community organizations, art show displays, projects and demonstrations in classrooms, a petting zoo sponsored by the high school FFA, a spaghetti dinner to benefit the Indians football team, and various fundraisers for schoolchildren and the Salineville Assembly of God.
Laura Krulik, district special education coordinator and event organizer, said it was another successful evening and each year the showcase draws several thousand participants.
“People bring their kids and look around, and they do walk everywhere,” she said.
The high school gym housed the health fair, which included 17 booths ranging from CAA Health Center to Southern Local HPAC and included free blood pressure and wellness checks; the remaining tables were comprised of community and other groups such as AAA Driver Training Center, local veterans’ services, Nutrition Group, Columbiana County Department of Job and Family Services, and Utica Shale Academy. In addition, attendants could take in art exhibits by creative high schoolers, enjoy animals at the petting zoo, and enter a gift basket raffle to benefit a local family affected by cancer. The SLHS cafeteria set the stage for the dramatic production while the elementary gym hosted the musical performances. Students and parents could also tour classrooms and view student projects, demonstrations, and displays.
Krulik, who has been in charge of the event for the past six years, praised the efforts of school nurse Heidi McIntosh, who organized the health fair, band/music directors Emily Bowling at SLHS and Ryan Smith at SLES, and school staff and administrators involved in making the event run smoothly.
“It’s definitely a group effort,” she added.
School officials said the showcase
“It’s a great time for the school and the community to come together and celebrate our kids and the wonderful things they do for our school,” said SLES Principal Kristy Sampson.
“It’s a great time to show student growth from the beginning of the year until now and prepare them for the next grade and higher learning,” added Tony Delboccio, district federal coordinator.
Superintendent John Wilson echoed those sentiments, saying it showcased the district to the public.
“It gives the community a chance to see what’s going on and to interact with staff and administrators,” Wilson commented.
The showcase began as a means for the community to view what was happening at the K-12 complex, and leaders received a School Improvement Grant from 2011-14 to help enhance activities. Parents and students on hand said they enjoyed the offerings and opportunities to view the school and learning processes.
“I like the art,” said first-grader Ella Sue Roberts. “I like that I have a surprise for [my parents] in my classroom.”
Her mom, Bridget, said they have attended for four years and she enjoyed getting to see the different events on hand.
“I like seeing my friends and I like seeing my teachers,” added fifth-grader Alexis Adams.
Ron Joy Jr., who has four kids attending Southern Local schools, said the event gave people a glimpse of how children learn.
“They show what they are doing and how they go about teaching,” he added.
Photo Cutline: Taylor Smith, a first-grader at Southern Local Elementary, pets a rabbit held by Southern Local High School sophomore Josh Boyle, a member of the school FFA organization, during the District Showcase on March 17. A large crowd of parents and students perused the school buildings, interacted with staff and administrators, and viewed a health fair, art show, performances, and demonstrations throughout the evening.
SL Students Attending Robotics Camp
SALINEVILLE-Some students at Southern Local High School will get a lesson in the inner workings of technology this June as they take part in a robotics camp in Carrollton.
Instructor Marylou Taylor said students John Donaldson, Nick Strabley, Samantha Riggs, Jessica Halliday, Amber Korbel, Tawnya Bertram, Cara Davis, Nicole Aderhold, and Jayson Bott will attend the Carrollton Summer Robotics Camp on June 1-3. The event, which is sponsored by Depco, LLC, the Young Entrepreneurs Consortium, and Carrollton Schools, will be held at Bell-Herron Middle School and will include lessons on technology as well as teamwork. Activities include “Introduction to Robot Construction,” “Introduction to Software and Autonomous Programming for the Maze Challenge,” the Maze Challenge team building competition, and a Rex Robotics contest.
“They will be building robots that do activities and will have 10 to 12 people on a team,” she said, adding that none of her students participated before.
Building machinery is nothing new to the group, which has its own robotics team at the school. Taylor said a dozen students are on the team but did not compete this year because she was a new teacher and the team had to learn how to operate under a new system. However, there are plans to compete next year.
Taylor believes their experience at the camp will help enhance their skills in class and competition.
“This camp will help clarify and teach the members how to build new parts for their existing robots,” she said. “The students are really excited and thankful for this opportunity.”
Sabbato Finds His Place as Treasurer
SALINEVILLE-Gregory Sabbato has lived his life by the numbers, be it in the world of finance or as a math teacher. But for the past six months, he has become acclimated to his latest role as treasurer for the Southern Local School District.
Sabbato, a 1985 graduate of Southern Local High School, went on to The Ohio State University and later earned a Master of Business Administration in finance from Pepperdine University. His career took him out of Columbiana County to Columbus and on to the West Coast in California, where he worked in the banking industry. But he returned home to the Buckeye State in 2010 and became a math teacher at his alma mater where his son, Nick, is presently a student. He was a substitute teacher for two years before finding permanence at SLHS, where he also coached basketball and football. Sabbato said he has accomplished a lot in his career but has found the greatest reward as an educator.
“We got a 93 percent on the math band for [the Ohio Graduation Test] and I taught with Stephanie Gonzales. When you work with students and see their achievements, its way better than anything you’ve experienced in the private sector.”
Last year, he was tapped to replace longtime treasurer Doreen Marshall, who retired after a quarter-century in the post. Sabbato took his place on Aug. 1 and said it has been a challenge filling the spot, which consists of overseeing payroll, health care, financial projections, and the district’s five-year forecast, to name but a few of his tasks.
“I wanted to get back into finance. I like working with numbers and forecasting and it’s an interest,” he said. “You are the financial arm of the board. To me, every decision you make has to be student-centered. We’re a smaller district and we’re rural. We have more challenges than a larger, urban district with busing and logistics. My job is to make sure the superintendent, school administrators and community have the tools they need to succeed.
Sabbato sees a bright picture on the horizon and noted that the district has succeeded with modernizing education by way of technology and programming.
“I think we’re in a great situation and the schools have improved over the last couple of years. We’ve been able to include Chromebooks and technology in the classroom, plus we have a supportive staff, administration and school community and they’ve been great to work with.”
Superintendent John Wilson said Sabbato has been a wonderful addition to the district’s administrative team.
“Mr. Sabbato has been a tremendous asset to this treasurer’s position and he’s vested in the community,” Wilson concluded. “He’s very thorough and knowledgeable in finance and we’re glad he’s on board.”
(Photo Cutline: One might say that Gregory Sabbato has found the best of both worlds as treasurer for the Southern Local School District. Now in his sixth month, Sabbato said he has enjoyed the challenge of working with his two interests: finance and education.)
NFL’s Muir Addresses Southern Local Students
SALINEVILLE- Daniel Muir found success playing for the National Football League and on Nov. 18 he shared his journey with Southern Local High School students.
A defensive tackle for the likes of the Indianapolis Colts and Green Bay Packers, Muir spoke as part of a series by Sports World, INC., which sends professional athletes into schools to share their experiences and help students recognize the consequences of their choices while challenging them with a message of hope. Muir spoke to two groups, including high schoolers and grades 5-8, telling them that his own choices often led him down the wrong road and he had to work to be successful.
He said his family hailed from Jamaica but made their home on the outskirts of Washington, D.C. As a child, he had a love of sports and began playing football but spent Little League through his freshman year on the sidelines as a self-described “benchwarmer.” His chance came late in his freshmen year, but then he was told to not try out again the next year. That discouraging comment led him to fall into bad habits, such as skipping school, and it caused his grades to suffer. It was when a friend encouraged him to join the summer team workout sessions that his fortune began to change.
“You can choose to work hard and you can accomplish what you set out to accomplish,” Muir added, saying the head football coach took notice and let him play all season.
He continued to play throughout high school, and as his success grew, ego set in and put him in a precarious position. Muir recalled getting in trouble at school and being ordered to do pushups in front of his schoolmates as punishment.
“Success is one of the most dangerous things on earth. Oftentimes people don’t know what work means. The thing about choices is that you get into a rhythm. You make good choices and you make another one and then another one, and the same goes for poor choices.”
College recruiters soon came knocking at his door; however, his poor grades reduced the amount of opportunities and he was left with only three prospects. He chose Kent State and flourished on the field, where NFL recruiters kept an eye on him to possibly play professionally.
“I got serious. I got into that rhythm and made good choices. On draft day, I knew I was working hard,” he added, saying he was contacted by the coach of the Green Bay Packers and made the team. He was drafted as a free agent and was proud to become a professional football player around 2007.
“Brett Favre was my teammate. I am playing well through my rookie year and make it all the way to the championships.”
However, things would take a nearly tragic turn. After completing a successful 23-game run in 2008, which ended in a second-place championship finish, Muir went drinking at a bar and then got behind the wheel of his vehicle. While he was driving home, he went through a stop sign and collided with a tractor trailer.
“I felt the crash and woke up because I felt blood dripping from my forehead down my nose,” he added, saying safety crews used the Jaws of Life to extricate him. “I’m crawling out on my hands and knees…and I thought, ‘[The team] is going to cut me. I got a call from the general manager and he said, ‘You are one outstanding football player. You came to the Green Bay Packers and you made it as a rookie free agent. Today, we got to cut you because I can’t trust you.’”
An encounter with the first police officer at his crash scene also put things into perspective. Muir said he learned how close he came to death after pinning his truck beneath the 18-wheeler.
“He said, ‘I didn’t know who was in the truck, but I thought they must be dead. To see you crawl out on your hands and knees, I realized there must be a God.’”
He began going to church and discovered a deep faith, something which brought him profound happiness. Shortly after the crash, he received another phone call from Indianapolis Colts Head Coach Tony Dungee, who informed Muir that the Colts bought his contract from Green Bay. Muir went on to don the No. 90 jersey and continue his career as a professional athlete. Muir attributed the Colt organization’s success to the players’ hard work and good choices.
“I’m here today to tell you that you’ve got to get uncomfortable. Nothing in the life you choose can be done in the comfort zone. Let life motivate you. Some people look at their circumstances and think they can never change them. If you work hard, you can do it.”
Muir advised the groups to complete related informational cards, while they could also text 313131 and reach a 24-hour site when they are dealing with issues. He also took questions from the audience and said that had he been cut from the NFL early on, he would have returned to Kent State and obtained his degree in criminal justice. He’s since earned a degree online and currently coaches football in Carmel, Ind.
SLHS Principal Dallas Saunders said it was the first time the Sports World, INC. program was held at the school. He was inspired to get involved by OVAC official Dan Doyle, whose organization provides the program as a school resource.
“I thought it was great and the message was meaningful,” he added of the sessions. “[Muir] connected very well. It’s always good when you have somebody give a message to the students.”
(Photo Cutline: Daniel Muir, who found success on the football field playing for the Indianapolis Colts and other NFL teams, spoke to students at Southern Local High School on Nov. 18 about making good choices.)
SL Students Visit Historic Sites and More
SALINEVILLE-About 50 Southern Local Jr. High School students learned about history and more during a recent trip to Pennsylvania.
Seventh- and eighth-graders visited the likes of Philadelphia and Gettysburg on May 6-8 as part of teachers Shannon Rodgers and Michele Skinner’s annual sojourns to historic sites, and Rodgers said the group learned about history and more.
“This is my 16th year [and the 10th for Skinner], but the field trip was started prior to me being at Southern Local. When I started, we went to Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Canada, and this gives kids an opportunity to go on a trip,” Rodgers said.
Among the stops they made were to the Liberty Bell, Independence Seaport Museum, Edgar Allan Poe House, the Gettysburg battlefield and the famed statue honoring the movie “Rocky,” plus ghost tours at Eastern State Penitentiary and more fun at Arnold’s Fun Center and the Hard Rock Café in Philly.
Rodgers, who teaches seventh-grade Language Arts, and Skinner, who instructs seventh-grade math, conducted fundraisers to help support the trip and students enjoyed sightseeing tours of popular historical locations in addition to go-cart riding and laser tag games. They visited the Civil War battle site that Sunday before returning to Ohio and Rodgers said they relished the experience.
“We do fun things but I had a lot of boys say they enjoyed the battlefield tour.”
Seventh-grader Hunter Morris said Gettysburg topped his trip east.
“The battlefield was the best part,” he said. “I liked all of the monuments and at Little Round Top [at Gettysburg] you could see for miles. I also liked the ghost tour at Eastern State Penitentiary, where [prisoners] were all put into small cells to reflect on the bad things they did.”
Rodgers added that the two-day trip offered a little of everything.
“It’s fun yet educational at the same time and gives them a real experience.”
(Photo Cutline: Southern Local Jr. High students Gina McClurg and Tiffany Joy pose in front of statues of our founding forefathers during a recent trip to Philadelphia and Gettysburg. A group of 50 seventh- and eighth-graders enjoyed viewing historic sites, taking ghost tours, and entertainment such as go-carts and other attractions.)
Teacher is a “Class Act”
SALINEVILLE-When Southern Local Elementary third-grader Gianna Rodgers wanted to recognize her teacher, Katie Forbes, she didn’t exactly present her with an apple. In fact, she did something much better.
Forbes, a 13-year veteran of SLES, received a surprise honor on April 8 with a Dunkin’ Donuts Class Act Award from WFMJ-TV. Weather anchor/reporter Jess Briganti turned up bearing gifts and did an on-the-spot interview with the teacher and her pupil. As it turns out, Rodgers had submitted a nomination letter in January describing why she believed Forbes was so deserving and her entry was later selected. Rodgers said she was inspired to make the nomination after seeing a promotion on television.
“She is a nice teacher and she makes learning fun,” Rodgers said, calling Forbes her favorite teacher. “She helps us out with our work. [The award promotion] was coming on TV and I had the idea to do it.”
Rodgers was beyond pleased with Forbes getting recognized.
“I’m happy. She would make a great teacher for anyone.”
Forbes returned the praise and called Rodgers a wonderful student.
“She is a model student. She tries as hard as she can and makes her best effort,” she added. “She is always on task and is a friend who really tries to help. She is one of the students who makes your day run smooth and well.”
Forbes also described how she makes learning more hands-on with interactive lessons. One idea is to provide a math problem of the day for higher level thinking and enrichment, and students who correctly solve the matter receive trinkets or school supplies from a prize box. Her reading classes have also performed skits, plays, and related activities as part of their education. She was very touched by Rodgers’ gesture, saying it re-instilled her reason for becoming an educator in the first place.
“I was surprised to get the award. Every time I see it, I smile. It brings back why I got into teaching—to make a positive impact in children’s lives,” she continued. “I feel that as a teacher, being honored by a student is the greatest gift you could ever get. The reason we’re here is for them.”
She received balloons and a glass jar donning the award name while her students received pencils and bookmarks from the news crew. In addition, the class taped an announcement about the interview, which is set to air on Wednesday, April 13 between 6 and 7 a.m. on the “WFMJ Today” morning program.
Forbes later penned a thank-you letter to the youngster to show her gratitude for the kind sentiment.
“It brings tears to my eyes,” she said. “Happy tears.”
(Photo Cutline: Southern Local Elementary third-grader Gianna Rodgers surprised teacher Katie Forbes with a nomination for the Dunkin’ Donuts Class Act Award, which was given by the WFMJ Channel 21 news crew on April 8. Rodgers submitted a letter to the news station in January stating that Forbes deserved the honor for being a kind and helpful teacher who made learning fun.)
Learning Centers Help Students at SLES
SALINEVILLE-Students at Southern Local Elementary School are getting some guidance from upperclassmen with the implementation of classroom learning centers.
Second-grade teacher Renee Blakeley began a unique program earlier this month where junior high students offer support to her class to help build their reading and math abilities. Blakeley said her 22 students are divided into groups and spend a half hour each day in one of five centers with the older pupils, and then they switch to a new learning station the next day. A recent event incorporated centers for word building, comprehension, math, fluency, and listening, and each station was manned by a seventh- or eighth-grader that aids up to five elementary kids.
Blakeley said it has benefitted both her and her class because it provides more personal assistance for the youngsters and their abilities improve. She noted that her students enjoy the interaction and seem to learn easier because lessons are done in a fun way.
“I always recruit help where I felt I could use it,” she said. “My students enjoy the one-on-one time with the older kids…and can’t wait to do better [so they can show what they can do]. They strive to please the older kids and it helps them learn.”
The junior high students use their intervention period to help the youngsters, and that interaction builds trust and provides a positive influence for learning. The teens say they’ve enjoyed the experience as well.
“I like it,” said seventh-grader Conner Lewis. “I teach them how to do things the right way and we’re just having fun.”
“It’s really fun,” added eighth-grader Latrell Crute. “It reminds me of when I was little and how much energy I had. They are excited to learn.”
Blakeley plans to continue the centers for the remainder of the school year.
(Photo Cutline: Southern Local Junior High School student Conner Lewis oversees one of the learning centers in Renee Blakeley’s second-grade classroom at Southern Local Elementary. Lewis is pictured assisting students Braxton Willis, Jonathan Earlich, Wyatt Whaley, and Sarinah Patrick with their word building skills
Rural Scholars Program at SLES
SALINEVILLE-The Rural Scholars Program has returned to Southern Local Elementary School to prepare kids for their future.
Now in its fourth year, the program based at Kent State University-East Liverpool is free to students in grades 7-12 from Rural Columbiana County and surrounding areas. It includes year-round academic enrichment workshops focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects, college preparation, and financial literacy. About 15 Southern Local students are expected to be involved next year and organizers kicked things off with programs for current sixth-graders on May 16, 18, and 23.
To qualify, the student’s family income cannot be more than 200 percent of the federal poverty levels based on the number of people in the household, and they must be first-generation college students or have a sibling who attends but has not graduated from college. The primary focus is to support the success of a select group of students who have promising academic ability but are not performing up to their potential. Once admitted into the program, they will participate through high school graduation. If the Rural Scholar completes the program and attends college, he or she becomes eligible for a sponsored scholarship that will cover tuition costs at any KSU campus. Following the pay-it-back model and to be eligible for the tuition scholarships, Rural Scholars must have participated in the entire program, maintained a minimum 2.5 GPA, and agreed to serve as a university student mentor for new scholars entering the program.
Program Coordinator Wendy Pfrenger appeared with student mentors from the university to speak with the soon-to-be seventh-graders about choices after graduation, such as attending college or a technical school to joining the workforce, and also review financial planning.
“It’s really about understanding the choices they make about their career and education,” said Pfrenger. “It also syncs with common core standards for financial literacy.”
The Rural Scholars program has worked with eight schools in the region and anticipates about 74 children will take part over the next year. Students are recommended based upon academics, leadership, character, and self-discipline. About three from each grade will take part from Southern Local and students work individually with the mentors, plus they perform activities in labs on the KSU campus. Week-long workshops are also held during the summer that offer applied learning and service experiences, as well as parent workshops, and access to a limited number of scholarships for outstanding scholars accepted to the Salem or East Liverpool campus.
“I have undergraduate college students come once a week and help them with homework or talk with them. At our workshops, we go to campus labs and other community sites. The themes differ among the grades and includes “Makers and Mechanics” in the ninth grade. They will create robots and learn about 3-D printing and architecture. The 11th graders will stay at the campus, go to classes, and do college activities, and meet students from other parts of the area.”
She credited community partners such as businesses and foundations for supporting the program and contributing to its success, while participation is another component. And those who have completed the program at the middle and high school levels can remain involved in another capacity. Pfrenger added that high school seniors who complete the program and attend KSU can also become mentors to underclassmen from their home district. She sees potential in SLHS students and plans to train them to volunteer next year.
SLES Guidance Counselor Larry Rudloff also praised the program, saying it gives them options and ideas on funding their education.
“I think it gives students better insight as to what their future might hold and that education can be a way to a better life,” Rudloff commented. “There are other paths kids can follow and they can get a four-year degree, associate’s degree or become a skilled apprentice, and they discuss funding to lighten the financial burden.”
(Photo Cutline: Southern Local Elementary hosted the Rural Scholars Program over the past few weeks to help sixth-graders get a handle on their future. Sixth-graders Jordan Powell and Jatanah Keller, pictured in front, partner up for a project while Hannah Adkins and Emily Crawford are at work in the back.)