|
And the winner is…The Timberwolves |
 |
 |
 |
|
Written by J Wilson
|
|
Thursday, 10 May 2012 14:08 |
|
Following a process that involved suggestion boxes, joint student council meetings and student body voting, the mascot for the new school—Southwest Valley Community School—comprised of students from the Corning and Villisca school districts will be the Timberwolves.
The announcement was made on May 3 by Villisca sophomore Casaundra Currin and Corning sophomore, who indicated that they were “excited to announce we will be running, walking, jumping, cheering, performing, playing ball, dancing, marching, cheering for, wrestling, singing, acting, leading—and most importantly—academically achieving as the Southwest Valley Community Schools Timberwolves.”
The Timberwolves will join forces on the varsity level beginning with the 2013-14 school year, and the school colors will be black, teal and silver.
Though whole grade sharing between the two districts is over a year away, junior high athletic sharing will begin sooner, due to low numbers. The junior high baseball and softball teams will join forces as the Timberwolves this summer, and all junior high athletics in the 2012-13 school year will be shared.
The mascot, colors and school name were approved by the Corning and Villisca School Boards during their May 7 joint meeting in Villisca.
During that meeting, the boards worked out details of involved in sharing of junior high baseball and softball for the upcoming season, deciding that the teams should play under the new mascot, wearing new uniforms purchased at less than $30 apiece, according to initial cost research reported by Superintendent Willie Stone.
The two districts will split travel costs for the joined team, and the boards elected to follow the recommendation of both schools’ Athletic Directors by adopting the Corning schedule, though playing home games in each community. Practices will take place at 10 a.m. in Villisca.
The two boards discussed how to handle sixth graders and eighth graders playing up, ultimately leaving the decision up to the coaches to utilize younger players if numbers are an issue and if younger athletes’ skill level is up to the challenge.
Share |
|
Drunk and distracted driving simulator opens eyes |
|
|
|
|
Written by J Wilson
|
|
Thursday, 26 April 2012 15:23 |
|
Senior Josh Cooper navigates a drunk driving simulation at Corning High School April 18. In the background, students view his experience on a monitor. Photo by J. Wilson
The Adams County SAFE Coalition hosted a drunk and distracted simulator at the Corning High School April 18 to educate students, as well as the general public, about the dangers of drinking or texting and driving.
“Several kids have noted ‘they will never drink or text and drive again,’” said Adams County Deputy Sheriff and SAFE Coalition member Jason Swanson. “Between the videos shown and the driving simulator, kids got a real life idea of what can happen to them.”
The simulator visit to Corning was part of Michigan-based UNITE’s Arrive Alive Tour 2012, and was open to both students and the community.
For more information on the driving simulator, visit www.dwiprevention.org. For more information on the Adams County SAFE Coalition, contact Wendi Boswell at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
Share |
|
|
School Boards flip the script on athletic sharing decision |
|
|
|
|
Written by J Wilson
|
|
Thursday, 03 May 2012 14:08 |
|
The Corning and Villisca School Boards met in joint session on April 25 at the Corning High School Auditorium, voting not only to void their April 16 decisions regarding high school athletics, but also to reverse course and hold off on sharing of all high school athletics until the 2013-14 school year, when the two districts begin whole grade sharing.
The meeting was called in haste when administrators confirmed that the motions passed by the boards on April 16 were not identical, and therefore not legally binding, according to the districts’ lawyers, said shared Superintendent Willie Stone.
As Stone provided background to those in attendance, he indicated that the boards’ April 16 actions to share all sports but football and wrestling were “a 180 [degree turn] in the last second,” a move that disgruntled parents and students and displaced Villisca coaches without warning. Prior to that meeting, talks had focused on the possibilities of sharing high school cross country, tennis and wrestling, as well as junior high baseball, softball, football and track.
Following a public comment period, which offered concerns ranging from expense, logistics and loss of class time, both boards voted to nullify their previous vote regarding sharing high school athletics. The mulligan offered the boards the opportunity to rethink their decision. Corning’s Scott Shuey returned to his assertion that the school’s should share “all or nothing” in the interest of fairness. Corning’s Scott Akin and Lori Harvey agreed.
Other board members from both schools leaned toward falling in line with the administration’s recommendations of sharing high school tennis and cross country. Corning board member Gary Goldsmith moved to share these two sports for the 2012-13 school year, with Kenya Haffner seconding, but the pair were voted down when Corning Board President Harvey broke the tie.
The vote left Villisca with no need for a motion or a vote: high school athletic sharing would wait for the 2013-14 school year.
Discussion turned to junior high athletics. At the previous meeting, the boards voted to share football, volleyball, cross country, wrestling, track, baseball and softball. With more agreeable logistics, the boards made no change to their April 16 decision, and these sports will be combined for the 2012-13 school year, with practices likely taking place in Corning and games being held in both communities.
Share |
|
Donkey Basketball tourney brings laughs, funds to new firehouse |
|
|
|
|
Written by J Wilson
|
|
Thursday, 19 April 2012 00:59 |
|
Great Balls of Fire: the Corning Fire Department held a donkey basketball tournament April 10, with, left to right, Colby Weatherly, Clint O’Riley, Jimmy Gray, Nick Drake, Mike Brown, Kevin Yearington, Shane Haffner and Lee Freeman, representing the department on the court. Photo by J. Wilson
Over 400 spectators filled the stands of the Corning Activity Center April 10 for a donkey basketball tournament aimed at raising funds for a new firehouse for the Corning Volunteer Fire Department.
“I would personally like to thank everyone that helped me with the event as well as those who attended to help support the Fire Department,” said firefighter Lisa Brown, who organized the event. “I hesitate to name individuals for helping as I don’t want to miss anyone but I am very grateful for those who stepped up and helped me all night.”
Participating in the event were teams sponsored by Alegent Health Mercy Hospital (Tail Twisters), Adams County Cattlemen (Bovine Brigade), Main Street Businesses (Main Street Maulers) and the Corning Fire Department (Great Balls of Fire). In the first contest of the single elimination tournament, the Main Street Maulers defeated the Bovine Brigade. Great Balls of Fire triumphed over the Tail Twisters in the second showdown.
Kevin Yearington of Great Balls of Fire won the Miss Jackass crown for his deft handling of both his donkey and his wardrobe. Photo by J. Wilson
Prior to the finals, a member from each team was selected to represent his team in a relay race. Firefighter Kevin Yearington was named “Miss Jackass” after defeating Alegent’s Dave Schafroth, Main Street’s Al Peckham and the Cattlemen’s Rob Tucker.
The final contest between Great Balls of Fire and the Main Street Maulers delivered a fierce battle, with Great Balls of Fire emerging victorious after a controversial call from the official with seconds on the clock.
A panel of judges named Great Balls of Fire’s Lee Freeman Most Valuable Player, while Mauler Alan Ritchie was voted Least Valuable Player.
The event raised approximately $3,200 to go toward the new firehouse, a $1.485 million project which will more than double the size of the facility, while adding usable space to the Adams County Sheriff’s Department and cutting future costs (through larger bay doors, which will eliminate the need to special order trucks at added expense).
With numerous grants, donations and pledges solidified, the project requires an additional half million dollars in funds to get off the ground.
To learn more about making a tax-deductible contribution to the fire department for the building fund, contact a member of the Corning Fire Department.
Jimmy Gray of the Corning Fire Departments lets one fly on the way to his team’s second win of the night. Photo by J. Wilson
Share |
|
