The Amherst news-times. (Amherst, Ohio), 2000-05-31

              'owers Field Day fun - Page 2
Two new coaches hired - Page 5
Amherst News-Times
Wednesday, May 31, 2000
MLS seniors will
graduate Sunday
June 4 at 2:30 p.m.
at Palace Theater
by KEITH QRIB BINS
News-Urns* reporter
With the summer months in plain
sight, the senior student body is
gearing up to give a final farewell to
their yein at Marion L. Steele.
The time spent nosing through
textbooks and gliding through
locker fitted halls doesn't begin to
scratch the surface of the growing
process involved with these young
adults. Life long friends and goals
are nurtured in those four short
yean, and every memory, good or
bad, has they ability to cling and
never go away.
A notion of who they are and
where they're going is suddenly on
the tip of every senior's tongue as
they fight to keep the shakes of se-
Noritis from their routine.
It's time to move on, and they
can't wait.
Well, seniors will get that chance
to move on Sunday, June 4 at 2:30
p.m. at the Palace Theater. Cap and
gown will be the outfit of choice as
graduating Comets prance down the
•isles of the Lorain theater while
! Mobs of parents, who can't seem to
'shake those smiles, vie for the best
photo spot in the house.
♦"We are very proud of this class.
|$hey're very strong in all aspects,
liy, musically, athleti-
' stated principal Red Hol-
"And they are generally just
eople. Myself and everyone
will miss them."
The class is so strong that a number of students are still competing
for the top spot But the school has
narrowed the race for Valedictorian
down to two students, David
DeAngelis and Rachel Marino. Both
having GPAs over 4.0, final exams
will have to determine the outcome
on May 30 and 31.
Marino is looking to attend the
University of Miami, Florida, in the
school's international business program. Parents Dan and Marge, both
language teachers, might have had a
hand in Marino's interest in foreign
languages She speaks French and
Spanish and is hoping to apply her
love of languages and her math
skills to a career in the business
world.
The Comet is looking forward to
the life on campus.
"I'm happy to be out of here. I've
done enough in high school, and I'm
ready to see new people. But I'm
still going to miss my friends and
the teachers I know," Marino stated,
Marino has spent three years in
band playing flute and participating
in the National Honor Society.
Right beside Marino in the top
spot is DeAngelis. This Comet has
plans to attend Carnegie Mellon in
Pittsburgh for college, aiming towards a degree in physics. DeAngelis
bides his time between swimming
for the Lakeshore swim club and
taking apart computers. He also
works at the Amherst pool and takes
time out for the Youth Fund Advisory Committee based in Lorain.
Frank and Janice DeAngelis are
the proud parents of this soon to be
Steele High School grad.
"I suppose I'd talk about the good
things that have happened in the
past and what to focus on in the future. Our potential,'' explained
DeAngelis about the speech he
might give in front to his senior
class. "But I really haven't thought
about it yet."
The top student from both Amherst and Lorain County JVS have
yet to be announced because of stiff
competition.
"It's really an extremely talented
class overall, and for these two to
rise to the top is pretty special,''
Holland cited.
Sunday's ceremony will contain
commencement addresses from the
Valedictorian from Steele and
LCJVS as well as class president
Derek Pittak. Principal Holland will
announce the Academic Hall of
Fame and the Presentation of the
Class. Superintendent Robert Boynton will give the Superintendent's
Address and the Steele High School
Brass Choir will lead the Class
Recessional.
Practice for graduation will be at
the Palace Theater Friday, June 2 at
9 in the morning.
Admissions will be by ticket
only.
"I always say the same thing:
work hard, enjoy life, and always,
always do the right thing," said
Holland.
Sound advice for the Comet
alumni.
An apple from the principal
«
-•Powers Elementary principal David AnghNante presents the Anv
ttarst Schools 10th annual Crystal Appla Award to Bonnia
t/tetelsky, KatNasn Kurfsh. and Sharon Krzemienieswki. Tha woman wart among seven volunteers recognized lor their sarvlca to
tha studsnts and staff of tha Amherst schools at tha school board
masting May 22. AnghHante said ha nominated Matelsky for her
work as president ofthe Powsrs PTO and as chair of several of lis
oofronttees. Kurtoh and Krzemienleswki were honored for their
Work In the Powers bookstore.
Amherst, Ohio
Former Librarian Eleanor
Owen took time out to participate in Powers School's
reading week a couple of
weeks ago. Owen read stories about frogs for the kin-
dergartners to coincide with
the reading theme "Spring
into Reading". Pictured,
above, Owen reads a book to
Heather Large and Diane
Coffman's kindergarten classes. Pictured, below, a Powers School kindergartner focuses her attention on frogs
during Owen's program.
(News-Times photos by Keith
Gribbins)
Council okays full time fire chief
by KEITH GRIBBINS
News-Tknss reporter
The full-time fire chief position
passed through its third reading of
council Monday evening. May 22.
The position, now an ordinance,
has been in the council works since
last November. From committee to
council and back to committee
meetings, the position, along with
who might occupy it, became a constant argument every week for council members.
Most recently on March 20 members sent the position request to the
floor of council, but once there on
March 27 council immediately sent
it back to committee meetings for
more discussion. Members cited
wanting more exact information on
the classification of the job with the
civil service position.
But on April 17 the department
had had enough. Twenty or more
Amherst Fire Department employees converged on the committee
meeting at city hall, giving full support lo the ordinance. Department
heads gave information and answered questions that turned unsure
council members in favor of the
city's need for a full-time fire chief.
The position finally passed to the
floor of council with a uiunimous
vote. 6-0.
And in each reading on the floor
of CfflrfW*!. the ordinance passed
with full support
Now the dry must decide who
should fill the position,
Current chief Ralph Zilch is the
name most have associated with the
position, but there it s looming possibility that others may test for the
job along with Zilch.
How the position should be filled
is up to the Civil Service Commission, and. the ooait—__na has just
recessed for the summer until
September.
According to member John Dunn,
the commission would hold an
emergency meeting if council or the
mayor asked for one. But if they did
not, the position would have to wait
to be filled until fall.
"If someone puts that to us, then
we would address it," staled Dunn.
There are three formats in which
the position could be fitted, staled
Dunn.
The mayor could give a provisional appointment to one person,
and if that candidate passed the civil
service test they would attain the
position. Candidates could all test
together with the highest score taking the position. Or the mayor could
give a special promotion without
competition; the mayor would need
to give five statements in writing
why that person should be given the
position.
But ultimately who decides on
which route to take will be up to the
three members of the commission.
"Because Chief Zilch is the chief
now doesn't necessarily mean he'll
be the full-time chief. We are trying
to keep an open mind. We want to
see all the facts in front of us and
then we'll decide," Dunn explained,
Some of the criteria used by the
rommittion would involve looking
at die job responsib—ities and who
could fitt those responsibilities best
for the dry. staled Dunn.
The commission needs st least
two votes to pass a decision. If
members cannot decide, the position
will have to be tested for, sup-fined
during his tenure. He has kept the
insurance involved in good order.
And the demeanor, of the department
itself is good and we've had little
trouble," cited Higgins. "He's had
the  education  and  experience.
there's no doubt about that"
According to Higgins two other
candidates are eligible to test for the
position.
Zilch has been the part of the
Amherst department for 28 years.
Mayor John Higgins to in full
support of the full-time fire chief
position and in Zilch filling _te spot
a letter of exceptioMl ipiwMmwf"!
"Wfw tearing Zilch for the potMJO'v
1 folly support Chief Zilch. He
has ran the
Dayton bound
The five lady Comets to represent Amherst'at the state meat In
Dayton could not contain their joy attar Saturday's regional meet
held at the Amherst field. Front let to rtgrt Lindsay Br*, Ti
Shagovac, WNtney Hougland, Theresa Feldkamp and ~
Tear chesss j up for the camera after quaWng tor .te
state berths. They wiI be
and akemete Jeannine
oy Greg Norman, DornMc
.1