Life briefs: Local sailor honored, Galion eSports Club, teacher boot camp, dance recital
Mansfield native recognized as Senior Sailor of the Quarter
NEWPORT NEWS, VA — Petty Officer 1st Class Jeremiah Banks, a Mansfield native, was recognized as Senior Sailor of the Quarter aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) on Feb. 13.
Senior Sailor of the Quarter is an accolade given to an exemplary sailor, selected by a board of senior enlisted out of multiple competitive entries, for their accomplishments. Banks’ selection for this honor shows that he proudly represents the “Spirit of Freedom," the ship’s nickname.
“So far, my proudest accomplishment in the Navy has been making rank [promoting]," said Banks, who has served in the Navy for over 11 years. "This helps me fight for my sailors to do the same."
Banks is a 2008 graduate of Mansfield Senior High.
College news and notes
● Tyler Green of Shelby graduated from Miami University on Dec. 9 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering.
● The following local students graduated from Columbus State Community College on Dec. 16: Sean M. Asquith, cum laude, Mansfield; Alyssa R Wheelock, Mansfield; and Melissa Foster, Butler.
Galion Middle School creates eSports Club
GALION — The Galion Middle School eSports Club recently held its first event — a Mario Kart tournament. Eight seventh and eighth grade students competed against each other in the friendly competition. Players competed in Mario Kart races using various power-up items. The game features characters and courses from the Mario series.
The tournament consisted of several practice races before a double-elimination bracket. This structure allowed each racer to warm up and get familiar with the courses. In each round, four players raced around different tracks while trying to sling shells or other power-up items at their opponents. The other four players played a crossover game called Super Smash Bros to unlock new characters for future club meetings and events. The top three champions of the first-ever Mario Kart tournament were Parker Wolfersberger, Karmyne McCallister and Cyrus Eisnaugle.
The Galion Middle School eSports program will continue as an after-school club. Students who competed in the Mario Kart tournament will be invited to participate in the GMS eSports Club as well as others who have signed up.
The club’s second event will be a Super Smash Bros. tournament on March 23. All seventh and eighth grade students who sign up can participate. Sign-up details will be distributed on March 2.
Mid-Ohio ESC to hold summer teacher manufacturing boot camps
MANSFIELD — Educators from districts in Richland, Crawford and Morrow counties will have the opportunity to participate in the first Teacher Business Boot Camps this summer.
Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center's Business Advisory Council and Economic Development and Chamber of Commerce partners in each county organized these programs to show teachers what goes on behind the scenes in manufacturing in each county. Participants will gain firsthand experience with the careers available in manufacturing and the skills students need to obtain and retain these local positions.
The Richland County Teacher Manufacturing Boot Camp is June 13 - 16 and June 27. Only 15 spots are available, and the deadline to apply is March 31.
Core content and special area middle and high school teachers, school counselors and career coaches in Richland County may apply at tinyurl.com/ycxdp5d6.
Richland Academy Dance Ensemble to perform at Lexington High School
Richland Academy of the Arts dance department will be presenting their 2023 spring dance performance at 7 p.m. on March 18 at Lexington High School in the new Robert Whitney Performing Arts Facility. RADE (Richland Academy Dance Ensemble) is one of the Academy’s pre-professional dance groups where members undergo hours of weekly training to enhance their skills, improve technique, and pursue their passion for dance.
This year the Academy is celebrating four high school seniors: Carmella Desterhaft, Lucas; Kaylyn Kent, Lucas; Justice Gardner, Madison; and Delaney O’Brien, Ashland. Each has danced at the Richland Academy for over 10 years.
Tickets for this in-person performance are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors, students and veterans. For more information, call 419-522-8224 or visit richlandacademy.com.
Poetry reading scheduled at Ashland U on March 22
ASHLAND — The department of English at Ashland University is sponsoring a poetry reading by visiting writer Saeed Jones at 7 p.m. March 22. It will take place at the Student Center Auditorium inside the Hawkins-Conard Student Center, 847 Claremont Ave., and is free and open to the public.
Jones will read excerpts from his critically acclaimed book, “Alive at the End of the World.” A collection of poems that confront the haunted condition of Black life in America, it was selected to “Best Books of 2022” lists by The New Yorker, NPR and Publishers Weekly among others.
Jones, who resides in Columbus, is the award-winning author of “Prelude to Bruise” and “How We Fight for Our Lives.” The former was named a 2014 finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award for poetry, while the latter won the Kirkus Prize for Nonfiction in 2019. His work has appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times and GQ, and he has been featured on a number of public radio programs.
Pennsylvania choir to perform in Norwalk
NORWALK — The Towne and Country Players Inc. will host “Music! Music! Music!” by the Grove City College Touring Choir as part of T & C’s 57th Season of Concerts and Entertainment. The choir will perform at 3 p.m. on March 5 at the First United Methodist Church, 60 W. Main St. in Norwalk.
Music selections chosen for the performance include everything from Bach to spirituals and patriotic tunes. Tickets are $12 and available in advance or at the door.
Additional information can be obtained by calling 419-668-0637.
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Mansfield sailor honored, Galion Middle School's new eSports Club
