standing with the stars
TRANSCRIPT
-
7/28/2019 Standing With the Stars
1/1
4 Thursday, June 6, 2013 Springboro Sun
OPINIONCongress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of
speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
- The First Amendment to the United States Constitution
1836 West Park Square, Xenia, OH 45385 - 937-294-7000
www.SpringboroSun.com
. .ong
To contact the Springboro Suncall the extensions or
numbers listed below.
TREVOR COLLINS
Group Publisher, Ext. 101
DOUG SKINNER
Editor, Ext. 155
BILL DUFFIELD
Managing Editor, Ext. 135
LINDA SKINNER
Business Manager,Ext. 157
ADVERTISING POLICYNo responsibility is assumed by the publisher for
omission or errors occurring in advertisements, but
correction will be made in the next issue following
when attention is directed to them. We reserve the right
to edit, cancel or decline any advertisement without
notice.JOYCE KIRBY
Advertising, Ext. 173
TAMMY TOOTLE
Classified Advertising Director
866-212-7355 or 937-372-4444 press 2
CIRCULATION CUSTOMER SERVICECirculation department hours 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday.Call 937-294-7000.
Home delivery
Year - $40, 26 Weeks - $2413 Weeks EZ Pay - $10
*EZ Pay is automatic withdraw from
credit or debit card. Minimum of 3 months.
Yearly mail out of county - $50Yearly online only - $20Monthly online - $3
Community News Group of Dayton,a division of Civitas Media, LLC
Copyright 2013, all rights reserved
Published every Thursday 52 weeks a year.
Periodicals postage paid at Dayton, Ohio. Postmaster:
Send address changes to Xenia Gazette, 1836 W. Park
Square, Xenia, Ohio 45385.
The publisher shall not be liable for damages out of
errors in advertisements beyond the amount paid for
space actually occupied by that portion of the advertise-
ment in which the error occurs, and there shall be no lia-
bility for non-insertion of any advertisement beyond the
amount paid in advance for such advertisement.
This newspaper is environmentally
friendly. It is printed in recycled fibers
and soy-based inks, with the excep-
tion of some supplements.
The Springboro Sunencouragesreadersto write letters to theeditor: Letters shouldbe typed, or printed legibly, signedand include cur-
rent address anddaytime phone number of the author. We will publish
only thenameof theauthorand city, ororganization.Full addresseswill
notbe published. Form letters will not be accepted. Anonymous letters
will not be printed.
Letters to theeditor must be 350words or less. Deadline forletters
is9 a.m.The Friday beforepublication.Letterwriters havea limitofone
publishedletter every30days.
Letters will be verified by thenewspaper viatelephone.The news-
paper reservesthe rightto edit forlength,style andgrammarand tolimit
thenumber of letters ona specific topic.
Ifcontentis libelousor misleading, letterswillnot beprinted.Forlet-
ters that include claimsthatarenot a matterof publicrecord, theburden
of proof of theclaim(s)fall upon theletter writer.
Opinions of letterwritersor columnists arethoseof theauthor only.
They do not represent the opinion of the staff and management of the
Times CommunityNewspaper Group. Send letters to 1836 West Park
Square,Xenia, OH 45385 or [email protected].
Letters to the
Editor Policy
Standing with the starsI did not realize when I was a child eating
the breakfast cereal of champions that it was
going to take this long before I could get my
picture taken with champions. Local champi-
ons,grandchildrenofgoodfriendsof oursBob
and Nan King and their children daughter,
Debbie Welsh, husband Matt and daughter
Teresa Brockman, husband Mike that all live
herein our amazingcommunity.
Pictured on myright is SeanWelsh a four-year letterman and captain of the 2013 unde-
feated SpringboroPantherfootball team.Since
the football season ended, he was a starting
guard in the All-American O-D Bowl in
Houston, Texas and captain of the All-Ohio
SouthTeam.He departedPantherterritorylast
week to play football for the Big 10 Iowa
Hawkeyes, butwill always consider himself a
very proud member of the Springboro com-
munity.
Onmyleft isSeans cousinJulieBrockman,
who played four yearsof varsity tennis forthe
Panthers, qualifying for state both her junior
andsenior years. Shewas undefeated playing
singles throughout her entire high school
careerin theGWOCConference. Julie a two-
year member of the National Honor Society
with a 4.1gradepointaverage graduatedwith
honors last week.Shell be playing Division I
tennis forIUPUI inIndianapolis.In additionto
her athletic scholarship, she won the Plater
InternationalStudiesScholarshipand aPurdue
School ofScienceDeans Scholarship.A huge
graduation party was held at theSettlersWalk
Clubhouse on May 25 honoring these young
people.
In a brief chat with ourchief ofpolice, Jeff
Kruithoff, at a social event recently he
remarked that theClassof 2013 was absolute-
ly phenomenal. And I have heard that from
many people, administrators, teachers, coach-
es and family. A very unique and wonderful
mixof graduates this year. Congratulations to
all of the Class of 2013. Lucy, my better half
received that nickname many yearsago, actu-
ally four decades ago in the 80s. Well known
for her I Love Lucy zaniness, I finallycrowned her one day Princess Lucy. Last
week, shetossed another bitof funand frivol-
ityat me whenshestartedscreamingfromthe
kitchen. Seems she was on her I-Pad that I
gaveher forher birthdaybackin March.Shes
a newbie on thenet, educatingherself on how
to go from here to there. We had talked last
week about trekking up to GreenfieldVillage
in Dearborn, Mich. Having not been there in
over 40 years, we thought it might be time to
see whats changed, plus visit family in the
Detroit area. I was busy choreographing a
wedding reception, editing music, when her
screams rang out. I ran to the kitchen and she
said, Oh no, the police will be here shortly,Ive really screwed up big this time.What
happened, I asked.To get right to the point,
instead of typing in Dearborn, I made a typo
and typed in Dearporn and a porn site came
up. I shut it off immediately. Will they know
where Im at? How long before theycometo
our house? she frantically commented.I gave
her the proper directions to type in for
GreenfieldVillageand told her that porn was
not illegal and no one is going to come take
you away. Just be careful with your typos in
thefuture.Youmightendup onanFBIblotter
sheet or getus banned from church, I added.
Were just19 days fromSpringboros firstcon-
cert at North Park. Ill have complete details
and a photo in mycolumn onThursday, June
20. Mark it on your calendar now. Tuesday
June 25 from 7-9p.m.In themeantime,come
join us on Wednesday evenings at
Heatherwoodeforgreatburgers,dawgs,chick-
en on thegrill on thedeck with entertainment
from 6:30-9:30. Its great fun for all.
MERGE WRIGHT
B
y Don Wr
ight
Times
Columnist
His canvas has been on the hearts and
minds of Springboro H.S. students for the last
13 years. His message has been one of respect
and integrity. His technique has featured quiet,
individual strokes, all with bright colors.
With the finalization of the school year
now upon us, Dr. Ron Malone has sadly
ended his effective career asSpringboros high school principal. His retire-
ment had been announced several months
ago.
He was one of the good ones, for sure.
Dr. Malones work was like a piece of art,
featuring excellence and impact.
It was something that can be appreciated
now, in the moment.
But it will carry a lingering influence in the
many years to come.
It will grow stronger with age.
One day, a Springboro H.S. graduate will
govern a state, raise a child, supervise a com-
pany or coach a team, and she will do it with
an air of dignity that will invite complete
cooperation.
One day, another Springboro graduate will
serve on a school board, sit on a city council,
work in a day care or manage an intensive care
unit, and he will be universally respected.
They will both credit Dr. Malone for show-
ing them how to do it.
Hes the educational version of the old
Smith Barney commercials. Dr. Malone gar-
nered his commanding, respectful presence
the old fashioned way he EARNED it.
Dont just take my word for it. Listen to the
teachers, parents and students who have
worked withhim over the past many years.
I never hear anything negative about Dr.
Malone. Of course, I admit my bias, too. I
probably wouldnt believe it if I did.
My experience with him has been totally
positive, the way everyone who has celebrat-
ed his career in the past few weeks seem to
feel likewise.
He was given a tribute on the last full day
of school when, just after the morning
announcements, the students and teachers at
the high school lined the hallways creating a
gauntlet for Dr. Malone to pass through, with
everyone clapping and saying thanks.
You dont see that every day.
He says hello to us all the time, I hear stu-
dents say continuously. We love him.
Teachers and parents also notice his atten-dance at extra-curricular events, all held hours
after the final school bell rings.
Track meets, band performances, basket-
ball games and school plays. Dr. Malone went
to all them, and it was noticed.
Just this past week, his service and devo-
tion to Springboro students was recognized on
two occasions in a grand way.
On Monday, a farewell open house was
held at Campionis Pizza. For three hours,
well-wishers from Dr. Malones past and pres-
ent stopped by to offer an encouraging word.
And perhaps most dramatically, he was
honored at last weekends commencement
exercises.
He had served as emcee of the event, which
featured a large crowd at Wright States Nutter
Center. Just as everything was winding down,Maria Kallas was brought onstage to say what
so many others wanted to say.
Thanks, Dr. Malone, for being such a good
leader.
And thanks, Dr. Malone, for being an
example of velvet steel.
But most importantly, Maria said,
thanks for being my role model.
Bingo.
Dr. Malone then got more than just a nice
round of applause, which is what a normal
outgoing school principal would generally
receive. He got a standing ovation.
His final act as principal was a demonstra-
tion of what had made him so popular through
the years. As each graduate took a diploma
and walked back to his or her seat, Dr. Malone
positioned himself at the bottom of the steps.
There, he greeted every single graduate.
There was a handshake. And a smile. And
a word of encouragement.
Moreover, Ill bet he called most of the stu-
dents by their first name.
Theres a word for everything I have just
described: Class.
For the hearts and minds for all who were
led by him, he has the kind of class than can
never be dismissed.
Class that can never be dismissedBy Jeff
Kirby
SpecialWriter
A young
Veteransstory
Another Memorial Day has come and gone and with it the
barbeques and family gatherings. But my wish is that you took
some time out for the real meaning of the holiday, to remem-
ber those who have died in our nat ions service.
I think back at my dad, who at the age of 20 was drafted and
served in WWII in the Army Air Corp. Its hard to believe, butI always thought my father was older when he entered.
But that got me thinking of todays vets, the fresh faced kids
who handle grown up tasks with
major responsibility, some of
whom are not yet old enough to
make a trip to the carryout for a
beer, but can carry weapons.
One of those is a young man by
the name of Anthony Roebuck.
He is one of four kids raised
by a single mom who Anthony
says, is his rock.
My father was never
around, Anthony said. I dont
hate him, but I respect him
because he taught me the most
valuable lesson Ive ever learned
and that was to be never like him, to always take care of yourresponsibilities.
From him Ive learned how to be a real man.
And real men join the Army.
Anthony says hes always had an interest in the mil itary, so
much so that he joined the JROTC at Trotwood-Madison High
School, staying with it through his senior year.
Being in the JROTC opened up lots of opportunities for
scholarships and the option to join the military, he said.
After some what he calls a lot of talking, arguing and
debating with his mom, they contacted a recruiter.
I never joined for myself or the monetary benefits, I joined
because I knew it was something bigger than myself, Anthony
said. I felt a sense of pride and honor to serve my country.
After training in the Ohio National Guard, Anthony was
home for seven months, then deployed in 2011 at the ripe old
age of 19. He was the youngest in his unit to Afghanistan.
We spent a total of 13 months away from home, family and
friends to defend this beautiful country, Anthony said. I
worked with the best group of men and women anyone could
ever ask.
But his eyes opened quickly.
Going to a different country, I saw a lot of things,
Anthony said. Seeing people living without running water,
reliable electricity and improper waste disposal was heart
breaking. It made me value the small things we have in the
U.S.
Compared to their living conditions in Afghanistan,
Americans are living lavish.
His main job was that of a chef, but Anthony was trained
and battle ready.
After 13 months Anthony came home in September of 2012.
I now am a combat veteran of the United States Army,
home and back to National Guard Status, he stated proudly.
But this young man is forever changed.
I suffered a few injuries overseas and the Dayton VA is
amazing, he said. The staff there has done everything possi-
ble to make sure I get the proper treatment and care for myinjuries.
But I feel alone, like my family and friends cant relate and
dont understand what I went through.
And its tough readjusting.
My family and I have our ups and downs, Anthony said.
They know Ive changed and am dealing with some other
medical issues, but they are amazing, I love them to death.
They are the best support group anyone could ask for.
Currently Anthony is getting the help he needs.
Yes, I have been getting counseling through the VA
Medical Center, he said. They have professional and dedicat-
ed personnel whose main goal is to help and support Veterans.
But could more help be provided to Anthony and others that
went through the same experiences?
One thing that I would like to see happen is for more sup-
port for single soldiers who have no children, he said.
Theres a lot of organizations for married soldiers with chil-
dren, but single soldiers have struggles as well.Anthony eventually wants to get married and settle down,
but knows he has a while to heal from the experiences he wit-
nessed as a 19 year old. He also hopes to attend college using
the G.I. scholarships hes received and get that culinary arts
degree.
And to future soldiers he offers this, Keep your heads up
and value your family, friends and love ones.
We thank you Anthony and all the other veterans who
served and the many that gave the ultimate sacrifice for our
country.
Remember them not only on Memorial Day, but every day,
because they do and did their jobs, so we can do ours here at
home.
God Bless the veterans.
Buch
ADDITIONAL: If you have or know of a culinary/restaurant
job for this f ine young vet, just contact me at
[email protected] and Ill pass it along to Anthony.
Anthony Roebuck during his time in Afghanistan.