Leavenworth Advocates for Schools
West Geauga Board of Education President Kathy Leavenworth recently traveled to Washington, D.C., as part of the Ohio School Boards Association’s (OSBA) Federal Relations Network (FRN).
The FRN represents all of the school districts in the State of Ohio. Its members work to stay in touch with local, state and national lawmakers regarding policies that affect the school districts.
Said Leavenworth, “Building the relationships with the local, state and national lawmakers and their staff members helps us to not only understand changes in policy, but to affect them as well. The ability to communicate our needs and concerns with our representatives and senators allows West Geauga and other districts to be heard.”
During the most recent Washington, D. C., trip, Leavenworth and the other FRN members met with Ohio Sens. Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman to discuss the major priorities for the current session of Congress. These include the Individuals with Disabilities Act, which provides supplemental services, and the Carl Perkins Act, which funds technical education.
West Geauga Superintendent Richard Markwardt said, “Having Kathy on the FRN is an asset to our district. The relationships that she has built over the years help us to stay informed of legislative proposals and to have a voice on matters of national significance. As a district, we are grateful for her continued service.”
Excellence in Foundational Coaching
West Geauga baseball coach Guy McIntyre sees reason for optimism about the season that just ended and the one to come.
He said, “Our record has improved every year for the last three years. This group of players are very dedicated to the game of baseball and should have a breakout year.”
The team will have a returning core of players and seven of those are currently starting.
Said McIntyre, “I’m excited for this group coming back. We have multiple CVC honor award winners that will now have the experience to go along with it.”
The strength of the WG baseball varsity program is due to the foundational work done with younger players.
McIntyre said, “We have a strong JV and freshman program with high numbers and winning records. My JV and freshman coaches do an outstanding job making sure the players are ready to take the next step to varsity, both physically and mentally. I have never seen a group of coaches do so much for the program. ”
Students Visit Alaska
West Geauga science teacher Mike Sustin recently returned from Alaska, where he took 22 students on an environmental sciences study trip.
The group visited Denali National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park.The trip served a very specific educational purpose.
Sustin commented, “I organized the Alaska trip to focus on geology, environmental science, conservation biology, climate change and native Alaskan cultures.”
WGHS teachers Chris Connell and Kelsey Fladda joined the team as chaperones.
Football Coaching Staff Announced
The West Geauga High School football program is fully staffed and beginning preparations for the 2018-19 season.
In addition to head coach Eric Adam Sopkovich, the new coaches include varsity offensive coordinator Damien Ivory, who has 13 years of experience in football and teaches science and physical education.
Coach Mario Sims will take over the varsity defensive coordinator position. He is a U.S. Army veteran and is focused on building teamwork to help players become successful in football and life.
Running backs coach Adam Lowther is a former Oberlin College player and has coached at both his alma mater and Baldwin-Wallace University.
Coach Jason Peck, the varsity defensive line and JV head coach, joins the staff and brings a depth of knowledge about West Geauga as he has coached West G wrestling for the last two seasons.
The coaching staff will also include several volunteers, including Brandon Clemmons, who will focus on varsity defense; Franco Formichelli, who will work with the freshman and JV teams; and Scott Larrick, who will work with the freshman team.