Author: shankv

A string trio from the Warren Philharmonic Orchestra spent some time with students at Warren’s four PK-8 schools the first week of May.

These small performances at Jefferson PK-8, Lincoln PK-8, McGuffey PK-8 and Willard PK-8 schools were  a creative way to bring the Warren Philharmonic Orchestra to schools instead of students going to see the orchestra in a formalized concert hall. Previously, trips to the concert hall have been limited to 3rd-graders.

However, the school visits included multiple grades, providing opportunities for a larger number of students to experience the live music in a more intimate setting where they could ask the musicians questions and interact with them more freely.

The orchestra was able to visit the schools due the cancellation of its annual countywide concert. The performances were funded through grant money the orchestra secured for its programming.

Jumping Jacks. Bowling. Legos.

Sixth-grade students at Lincoln PK-8 School spent some time Wednesday, May 4, in the small gymnasium participating in a variety of activities designed to enhance their STEM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) skills while promoting social-emotional learning.

Two classes joined into one to participate in the “May the 4th Be With You’ Star Wars theme.

“We wanted to engage the students, and give them physical as well as mental activities to get them moving, get them thinking, and encourage them to work together,” explained Christine DePascale, whose class was combined with Stephanie Collier’s.

For example, students were challenged to find the unit rate of their own activities. They determined how many jumping jacks they were able to do it a certain amount of time: number per minute, per five minutes, etc.

For the STAR WARS Legos challenge, students called upon to build traps for storm troopers. Each trap had to be designed and constructed to fit at least one storm trooper.

They also incorporated math into bowling by keeping score and figuring out percentages.

“They collaborated and worked together to come up with answers and determine solutions,” explained Stephanie Collier. “That’s an important skill they will take with them way beyond the classroom.”

The Board of Directors of the Warren City Schools’ Foundation and the Committee of The Warren High Schools’ Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame on Saturday, April 30, 2022, awarded $50,000 in scholarships, collectively, to 36 Harding High School students.

The scholarships were awarded during the Warren High Schools’ Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame 30th Annual Awards Dinner.

Four new members who make up the DAHOF Class of 2022 were inducted into the DAHOF:

• William E. Kush of Warren, a 1971 graduate and longtime employee of Warren City Schools serving as supervisor of plant maintenance, operations and warehouse;
• Manuel N. Maligas of Spring, Texas, a 1961 graduate who went on to pursue a career in the aerospace and oil field industries;
• Dr. Kristen E. Pearson of New Orleans, a 2008 graduate and assistant professor in the School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, at Tulane University;
• Raymond D. Yannucci of Stow, a 1961 graduate who started his journalism career at the Warren Tribune Chronicle then went on to work for the Dover/New Philadelphia Times-Reporter as Scholastic Sports Editor and the Akron Beacon Journal, among other publications.

Frank Bubba, longtime Warren City Schools teacher and basketball coach, and Tony Berarducci, longtime Warren teacher, principal, assistant superintendent, personnel director and superintendent, were recognized as the 2022 Distinguished Faculty members.

Nicholas J. Angelo, former physical education teacher, coach and guidance counselor as well as district business manager, and Frank Supancic, social studies teacher and swim coach, were recognized as the 2020-2021 Distinguished Faculty.

Because the event was canceled in 2020 and a virtual ceremony was held in 2021, the 2020-2021 inductees were also recognized. They are:

• Robert Berk of Warren, a 1972 Warren G. Harding graduate, went on to serve as CEO of Berk Enterprises;
• Dr. Adam Cash of Cortland, a 1998 Harding graduate, specializes in plastic and reconstructive surgery and is adjunct professor at Mercy Health, Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Gannon University, and NEOUCOM;
• Edward Lukco of Dresden, a 1966 Harding graduate, went on to become a professor at The Ohio State University, Ohio Dominican and Franklin in the College of Arts and Sciences;
• The late Nick Macris, a 1944 Harding graduate, pursued a career in education as a teacher and administrator for various school districts before serving as superintendent of Howland Local School District;
• Constantine “Angelo” Kafantari of Torrance, California, a 2002 Harding graduate, pursued a career in automotive design and is CEO of Hyperion, working with NASA to create electric vehicles;
• Vincent Peterson of Warren, a 1982 Warren Western Reserve High School graduate, went on to become officer-in-charge of adult probation and staff supervisor; U.S. Marshal’s Violent Fugitive Task Force supervisor; and an FBI hostage negotiator;
• Sara Kingsbery Walsh of Princeton, New Jersey, a 1966 Harding graduate, pursued a legal career devoted to public service law, first as a public defender then with the Legal Services of New Jersey.

Warren G. Harding High School’s Summa Cum Laude students Anthony Payiavlas, Aidan Rohrer, George Berzonski and Jacob Tatebe were among the academic standouts honored Friday, April 29, 2022, during the Trumbull County Superintendents’ Association 2022 Valedictorian Breakfast.

The breakfast is held each year to recognized outstanding high school seniors for their academic achievements. This year, some 120 students were honored.

Pictured are: From left, Superintendent Steve Chiaro, Aidan Rohrer, Anthony Payiavlas, George Berzonski and WGH HS Principal Sandra Williams attend the Friday, April 29, 2022,
Trumbull County Superintendents’ Association 2022 Valedictorian Breakfast.

Preschoolers at Warren’s McGuffey PK-8 School recently explored mixing colors as part of a science experiment.

Students in Mrs. Gilligan’s class followed a recipe of colors, water and other safe household supplies to create their own lava lamps.

Mrs. Gilligan noted their are several benefits that come with hands-on learning. For example, students:

• Learn from engaging in real experiences;
• Interact with their environment and each other;
• Use all five of their senses to explore;
• Engage multiple areas of the brain;
• Build fine motor skills.

 Mrs. Gilligan said, “It was a big hit with the students!  

Students at Warren G. Harding High School have experienced the benefits of gathering in small groups or pairing up with a partner to explore various subjects and topics.

Toegther, the students work to solve problems, complete tasks and learn new concepts. They also build teamworking skills that help them outside the classroom.

For example, recently, students in Mrs. Habowski’s ecology class gathered observational data to explore whether abiotic factors influence plan growth.

Mrs. Hays-Neifer’s demonstrated Boyle’s law for students during chemistry class.

Meanwhile, students in another classroom arrived at peer editing conclusions written from a recent experiment, giving them each the opportunity to provide feedback to their peers based on the requirements of a rubric.  Students then return the conclusions to make edits before turning it in for grading.

Carol Wilson, Freshman Advisory teacher, utilizing micro labs for students to reflect on a topic, engaged in small group conversation with peers to hear personal viewpoints, then share ideas as a whole group. 

The Board of Directors of the Warren City Schools’ Foundation and the Committee of the Warren High Schools’ Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame will induct the next class of outstanding graduates into the Warren High Schools’ Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame on April 30, 2022.

Honorees are graduates who have achieved success in their careers and/or have made significant contributions in their fields, as well as to society, the state and/or on a global scale. Honorees inducted into the Hall of Fame must be graduates of one of the three Warren public high schools: Warren High School, Warren G. Harding High School or Warren Western Reserve High School.

Please join us in recognizing our newest inductees at the 30th Annual Awards Dinner April 30, 2022:

• William Kush, WGH Class of 1971
• Manuel Maligas, WGH Class of 1961
• Dr. Kristen Pearson, WGH Class of 2008
• Raymond Yannucci, WGH Class of 1961

To make reservations, please call (330)841-2321, Ext. 7136, or download the RESERVATION FORM FOUND HERE.

The six members of the Power of the Pen Team at Warren’s Lincoln PK-8 School placed second overall, out of 15 area schools, in the district tournament in January.

As a top three seeded team, our six creative writers received a plaque and medals as a team. 

Three writers qualified in the top 10 out of 52 writers and one writer qualified in the top 15 out of 52 writers.

Four of the team’s writers advanced to the Feb. 26 regional tournament. The team is waiting for the results of the regional tournament to see in any members advances to the state tournament. 

Kelly Notar has served as team advisor since 2016. During that time, at least one writer has qualified to regionals and one qualified for state.

This was the first time a Lincoln team places in the top three.

Chris Allen, HR Manager from Ultium Cells in Lordstown, spent some time recently with Warren G. Harding seniors who have indicated an interest in entering the workforce or in pursuing a skilled trade upon graduation.

Ultium Cells is a newly built battery production facility that is looking for potential employees. Mr. Allen discussed the hiring process, outlined the various careers available at the facility and the benefits available to employees, including tuition reimbursement and on-the-job training.

Mr. Allen also discussed key responsibilities of some of the positions that included skills such as:

• Strong interpersonal skills; communicate well with cross-functional team
• Good foundational Math and Technical Skills
• Demonstrated ability to set priorities-self directed area leadership
• High School Graduate or equivalent
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems
• Strong computer and machine control skills
• Ability to learn and train others in process equipment operation

Seniors demonstrated interest in the opportunity and had the chance to learn more during a question & answer session after the presentation.

Art created by students in all five of Warren City Schools is among dozens of works on display at the Trumbull Art Gallery through March 26, 2022.

The exhibit, “Celebrating Visual Art in Our Valley’s Schools,” features art created by students from 13 school districts in Trumbull and Mahoning counties.

The display also features art by the late Emil “Butch” Perunko, a longtime Warren City Schools teacher.

Trumbull Art Gallery is at 158 North Park Ave., Warren, Ohio. Hours are: noon to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday; and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. TAG is also open by appointment for individuals or small groups.