By CARL E. FEATHER - cfeather@starbeacon.com
Star Beacon
NORTH KINGSVILLE —
The Buckeye Local Board of Education and administration on Friday celebrated the achievement of having two “excellent” buildings on its state report card.
Assemblies were held at both North Kingsville Elementary and Edgewood Senior High on Friday afternoon. Superintendent Nancy Williams and Treasurer Sherry Wentworth, assisted by board of education members, presented certificates to the staff and posters of congratulations to the students. Williams spoke briefly at each assembly, stressing the importance of learning as a key to success and earning power in the 21st century.
“It’s all about learning,” Williams told the Edgewood students who assembled in the gymnasium. The school’s cheerleaders and band gave a pep-assembly atmosphere to the gathering.
To encourage the students further, Class of 1996 graduate Dr. Cara Ogren, who owns Synergy Physical Therapy in Ashtabula, shared how Edgewood helped her prepare for college. Ogren told the students that the majority of her college classmates did not complete the physical therapy program. She said the values of perseverance and determination that she learned from Edgewood’s teachers helped her stay the course.
This was the second consecutive year that Edgewood was rated an “excellent” school on the report card.
At North Kingsville, students held an assembly in the gymnasium to mark the school’s first year as “excellent.” Williams told the youngsters that their school also received the “with distinction” honor, which means North Kingsville students learn more material in one year than the state requires.
Four former North Kingsville students, now seniors at Edgewood, spoke to the North Kingsville students. Chris McMellen encouraged the students to “work as hard as you can at anything you do.” Robby Jenks told them to seek leadership opportunities, and Chelsey Miller encouraged them learn teamwork. Meghan Cunha stressed the importance of being your best.
“You have to work hard and always make sure you do everything you can,” Cunha told the students.
The schools’ accomplishments also were recognized during the pregame festivities at Corlew Stadium, Friday evening.
