In a record year, Brian Garverick and the Mansfield Board of Education recognized outstanding students and athletes at Tuesday evening’s board meeting. Recognized for their achievements was the whole football team, Wrestling State Finalists Jesse Palser and Traevon Dickerson, Swimming State Finalist Hutch Blackstone, Colin Henley in the State Orchestra Competition, and Spelling Bee finalist Dylan Williams.
Mansfield Senior High School’s football team went undefeated in the regular season for the first time in the school’s history. They advanced to the second round of the Division II playoffs before falling to New Albany.
The school’s wrestling team also tasted victory, mainly through two individuals by the names Jesse Palser and Traevon Dickerson. “Traevon and Jesse become the first state placers for the Tygers since 2000,” said Garverick.
Palser became the highest state placer since 1997. This school year marks the first year Mansfield Senior had two state placers in the same season since 1976.
Next in line for the superintendent’s accolades was All Ohio swimmer Hutch Blackstone. Blackstone is a three year All Ohio football player and placed third in the State swim meet this year for the 100-meter breast stroke event. He also made Second Team All Ohio by placing tenth in the state for the 50-meter free style event.
Colin Henley is the first student to play for the Ohio Music Education Association state orchestra since 2007. He plays viola first chair in the regional orchestra. At the state level, the orchestra has 15 chairs for the viola players. Henely is in the eighth chair.
Dylan Williams is a middle school student who ranked in Richland County’s top 12 spellers for this year’s competition. He advanced to the tri-county spelling bee, which occurred during Tuesday evening’s board meeting. Due to Williams’ absence, he will be recognized at next month’s board meeting.
“Congratulations to everyone who represents Mansfield Senior High this evening. We appreciate all of your efforts in the classroom and on the playing field. Thank you,” concluded Garverick.
Also up for recognition was Mansfield’s Spanish Immersion School. During the first week of March, 59 Spanish immersion students in grades two through 5 participated in a national contest through a new math software downloaded in the school. The software is free and is called Sumdog. Nationally, 34,000 students from 524 schools participated. Mansfield’s Spanish Immersion school ranked twenty-third.
“Out of 34,000 students. That’s amazing,” commented Garverick.
Also disclosed by Garverick was the confirmation of the state’s approval for four additional calamity days, effective next school year. The school district will make up the school days at the end of the school year.
Mansfield’s next regular board meeting will take place April 15 at 7 p.m. at the Raemelton Administrative Building on Cook Road.
A special board meeting to discuss the reduction in force was scheduled for March 20, but was postponed for a later date. The date has yet to be announced.