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Springfield DECA Students Place During Fall Frenzy

BY KAREN BERGER — MIRROR REPORTER
One Springfield DECA team and two individuals placed in the top five during the DECA Fall Frenzy on Friday.
The event is a collaboration between Owens Comm-unity College and Penta Career Center, and prepares DECA students for upcoming district competitions, said Frank Kohlhofer Jr., Penta-Springfield marketing coodinator.
“The students tried hard, and were very well behaved. They represented Springfield well,” Kohl-hofer said.
Springfield winners in-clude:
• Ryan Bickerstaff, third place in the DECA/human relations test.
• Yariel Arocho, fifth place, male employability skills.
• Retail merchandising team of Marissa Culp, Jenae Taylor and Paige Hayes, fourth place.
Students were given real-world business scenarios in restaurant management, retail merchandising, food marketing, sports marketing and apparel and accessories team management. After a half-hour brainstorming session, team members presented their ideas to area business leaders.
One of the most difficult portions of their presentation as the fictional managers of a retail establishment was to describe how to handle a violent or difficult customer, Taylor and Culp said.
Handling real-life situations is part of the DECA experience, said Kohlhofer, who has his 25 students complete eight projects a year, often for real companies.
For instance, Penn Station representatives came to talk about how they recruit, train and retain employees. After researching and conducting interviews, students made presentations about sales, human resources and promotion ideas to the restaurant management.
DECA students are also required to work at least 15 hours per week on the job.
Springfield student P.J. Phillips, who seeks a career in the music business or recording industry, currently does marketing and public relations for his church.
Nicole Sominski thinks she’ll pursue a degree in nursing, but believes her job at Ken’s Flower Shop will enhance the people skills she’ll need in interviewing for jobs and while working with patients in a health care setting.
Andrew Walker said his work cleaning and hanging up posters at Tam-O-Shanter will help him as he pursues a career in business and sports marketing.
Whitney Higgins works at Menards, and would like a public relations position that would put her into close contact with celebrities and the night life.
DECA, which stands for Distributive Education Clubs of America, is a national organization that provides educational and career opportunities in the areas of marketing, management and entrepreneurship.
Many DECA parents – from business owners to marketing experts – volunteered their time to judge the presentations, said John Chaney, supervisor of satellite programs for Penta.
Students from Anthony Wayne, Bowling Green, Maumee, Oak Harbor, Penta Career Center, Perrysburg and Rossford competed in the event.

Springfield Board Of Education Approves New Mascot Costume

BY KRISTEN SCHWEITZER — MIRROR REPORTER
A new mascot is on its way to Springfield Local Schools.
At the September 24 board of education meeting, the school board approved the purchase of a new costume for the school mascot for $1,900.
“Bringing back a mascot would bring more excitement to games and raise school spirit,” Heather Wolford, vice president of student government, said.
The student government chose the costume after searching for options online.
According to Wolford, the mascot was chosen to represent the Springfield Blue Devils as tough, but not scary.
The question of who will represent the school by wearing the costume will still need to be decided once it arrives. According to superintendent Kathryn Hott, an individual would have to be trained before using the costume.
During the meeting the board also:
• Heard Nick Batt address the board concerning the school district’s state report card.
Batt wanted to find out why the school district was only given an effective rating as opposed to excellent.
Hott explained that an excellent distinction requires the school to meet 29 out 30 indicators, while Springfield met 27.
“I don’t make excuses. We know we’ve got a little more work to do,” Hott said.
• Went into private session to listen to a parent address the board regarding her child’s expulsion.
• Approved Carl Ryan as the recipient of the Springfield Local Schools Media Honor Roll award.
• Approved supporting the educational option administered by the Wood County Juvenile Detention Center and the Juvenile Residential Center of Northwest Ohio. The facility is used for the treatment and rehabilitation of delinquent and adjudicated students.
• Approved staff recommendations, including resignations, maternity leaves and hiring of additional faculty and staff.
• Approved attendance at state conferences for district employees.
• Commended Springfield High School senior Brian Huff for being named a semifinalist in the 2009 National Merit Scholarship Program.
• Commended those involved in the Appliance Center TV commercial that showcased the SHS band.
• Approved payments in lieu of transportation for students in the school district who attend other schools.
• Approved a $1,000 stipend for each elementary school to be used toward character education curriculum materials and incentives for the Random Acts of Kindness program at the elementary schools.
The Random Acts of Kindness program, started by Dorr Elementary teacher Shannon Gwozdz, rewards children for performing good deeds.
The program heightens the students’ awareness of how important particular character traits – such as kindness – are, according to Hott.
“We are promoting that awareness with small incentives,” she said.

The next board meeting will take place on Wednesday, October 22 at 5:30 p.m. at the district administration building.


Diana Piasecki Named Outstanding Board Member

Springfield board of education member Diana Piasecki was named a 2008 Outstanding Board Member by the northwest region executive committee of the Ohio School Boards Association.
Piasecki will be recognized at the 61st annual northwest region fall meeting on Thursday, October 2 at Nazareth Hall in Grand Rapids.
Springfield superintendent Kathryn Hott praised Piasecki’s contributions to the school board.
“As a parent, she recognized the important partnership that must exist between schools and the home. Her experiences in business, combined with her knowledge of the district, add a unique perspective to our board,” Hott said.
Piasecki has been a member of the Springfield board of education for seven years. She has served on many district-level committees including the Springfield Schools Quality Leadership Team and the Springfield Holland Alumni Association.
She previously received the Ohio School Boards Association Award of Achievement.
“It has been an honor and privilege to work with my colleagues on the board of education, our outstanding administrators and staff,” Piasecki said. “We respect one another, and even when we do not agree, we listen and consider the opposing opinion. Above all, we keep in mind that our children and the community we serve, come first.”

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