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Crissey Teacher Receives $1,000 In Supplies From Local OfficeMax

BY KRISTEN SCHWEITZER — MIRROR REPORTER
Taryn Miley never saw it coming.
Even as OfficeMax em-ployee Zac Westrick talked about a teacher who had taught the children of several teachers, principals and even media personnel, Miley, a second-grade teacher at Crissey Elementary, wondered whom he could be talking about.
So naturally, she was shocked when Westrick called her up on stage to present her with OfficeMax’s Outstanding Teacher Award.
The first part of the award had her sitting in a brand new desk chair, followed by flowers and a framed certificate.
Miley was in tears even before OfficeMax employees brought out a large box for her. A printer, hole punch, markers, pencils, calculators, tape and tissues were just a few of the many supplies inside the box. In all, OfficeMax donated $1,000 worth of supplies.
“It’s like Christmas!” Miley said.
Miley brought her class up on the stage to help her sort through the box.
“This is so awesome,” said Miley. She said the best part about the award is that it all goes back to help the children.
Miley, who has been teaching at Crissey for 12 years, was nominated by Crissey principal Cheri Copeland-Shull.
OfficeMax contacted Copeland-Shull and asked her to nominate a teacher deserving of the award, said Ron Brock, district manager of the Holland OfficeMax store.
Copeland-Shull had been keeping the nomination a secret since August, disguising the award presentation as a character education assembly.
When Miley noticed board of education president Ev Harris and assistant superintendent Michael O’Shea in attendance, she thought, “Wow, this must be a big assembly,” she said.
Each of Miley’s 21 students also received a bag of school supplies.
“This is the best group (of children) to do it for,” Miley said.
According to Brock, OfficeMax will be presenting Outstanding Teacher Awards at over 1,000 schools. Brock said OfficeMax chooses either Title I schools or schools within the local community of an OfficeMax store to nominate a teacher.
The supplies are given “to help the teacher do his or her best work,” Brock said.
“The No. 1 goal of OfficeMax is to support teachers and teaching throughout the community,” he said.


Springfield Student Fares Well In Laws Of Life Essay Contest

Sierra Merillat, a junior at Springfield High School, placed in the top 12 in the state in the Laws of Life Essay Contest.
Merillat and her parents attended an awards ceremony in Columbus on September 26.
Her essay, which she wrote as a freshman, won the 2007 local Laws of Life contest sponsored by the Springfield Schools Foundation.
Using the title of Dr. Seuss’ book Oh, The Places You’ll Go, Merillat’s essay shared how she has remained steadfast in pursuit of her goals and how she learned that perseverance from several family members.
The Laws of Life Essay Contest was created in 1987 by Sir John Templeton to encourage young people to reflect and write about their “laws of life,” or core values and ideals by which they live their lives.
After Templeton’s death earlier this year, the Templeton Foundation now continues his work by assisting local schools and communities in organizing local and state contests to celebrate the written work of young men and women.
Springfield High School has participated in the contest since the 2002-03 school year. Sponsors include Savage and Associates and the Better Business Bureau.
The essay contest fits in with Springfield’s character education curriculum, according to superintendent Kathryn Hott.
“I feel, especially in today’s world, that school districts must do all we can to help students mature into individuals possessing integrity,” Hott said.
Cheryl Hasenaur, Spring-field Schools Foundation executive director, said the essay contest gives students an opportunity to think about their values.
“The contest challenges the students to explore their values and put into written words the importance of strong character – something that as adults we value both in business and in life,” she said.

Springfield High School Students Celebrate 2008 Homecoming



The 2008 SHS Homecoming Court included (from left) freshman attendant Nina Bond, junior attendant Marissa Espen, senior attendant Earlyn Whitehead, 2008 Queen Heather Wolford, senior attendant Morgan Coulter, senior attendant Kelsey Duplay, sophomore attendant Bailey Vaughn and 2007 Queen Audrey Gillette. Missing from the photo is senior attendant Chelsea Storer. Additional photos on page 5. MIRROR PHOTO BY JOE NEGRICH


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