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Elber Qualifies for Olympic Trials

Joel Elber, Class of 2006 and currently a student & swimmer for Ohio State University, recently qualified for the US Swimming Olympic Trials in the 50 Free. This is an incredible accomplishment and honor for Joel, his family and our district. We are very proud of him!

Toro Sets School Diving Record

Branden Toro, Class of 2006, who was Brunswick’s diving champion and is a sophomore at Illinois Tech, set a new school record for 3 meter diving on Feb. 27, placing second at the NAIA National Meet at Palo Alto College. Branden also broke the Illinois Tech school record for 1 meter diving on the second day of the national tournament, and won his first national title. His 488.45 point total is the fourth highest point total ever scored at the national championship meet in the 1M event. The national championship is the sixth in IT history and the fifth in the past seven years. Branden also racked up his fourth All American recognition in just four tries over the last two years. Branden is majoring in mechanical engineering and is getting ready to declare his double major in aerospace engineering next semester. He is also interested in interning next summer.

BHS Graduate Accepted into Peace Corps

Andrew Thomas Smith, Class of 2003, has been accepted into the Peace Corps. Smith departed for Bolivia on January 29th to begin pre-service training as an environmental education Peace Corps Volunteer. Upon graduation from Volunteer training in April, Smith will be educating a local Bolivian community on natural resource conservation. Smith is the son of Gregory and Anita Smith. He went on to attend Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and environmental geography, graduating in 2007. Smith previously worked at the Institute of Local Government and Regional Development in Athens, Ohio. “The possibility to intimately become a part of another culture and understand it from the inside is what attracted me to the Peace Corps,” said Smith, ”as well as the opportunity to volunteer for the social development of an under-privileged area of the globe.” During the first three months of his service, Smith will live with a host family in Bolivia to become fully immersed in the country’s language and culture. After acquiring the language and cultural skills necessary to assist his community, Smith will serve for two years in Bolivia, living in a manner similar to people in his host country.

Shortle is NCAA National Gymnastics Champion

Bobby Shortle (2007 BHS Graduate and University of Oklahoma Freshman) is a NCAA national champion. The Oklahoma Sooner’s men’s gymnastics team (of which Shortle is a member) claimed their fifth national championship in seven years with an upset of top-seeded Stanford in mid-April. Bobby competed Floor and Vault and contributed to the team score. He will receive an NCAA National Champion ring this fall presented at an OU home football game half time ceremony.

Class of 1985 Offers Scholarship Fund

Each year the Class of 1985 will award a $500 merit-based scholarship to one outstanding senior at BHS whose parent or grandparent was a graduate of the BHS Class of 1985. Last year, their first scholarship was awarded to Kristine Klinko's daughter. To apply, seniors much have a minimum 3.0 GPA (weighted or unweighted), and demonstrated participation in BHS co-curricular activities. Applicants are asked to write a one-page essay describing how their experience attending BHS has been different or similar to their sponsoring parent or grandparent's experience. The next scholarship will be awarded in May at the Senior Awards. If you are interested in donating to this fund, please contact Kelly Queen at (614) 634-3928.

Class of 1978 30th Reunion Planned?

Is anyone aware of a BHS Class of 1978 30-year reunion? Contact Sue at (630) 886-2905 or Debbie at (216) 702-4658/ deborah4260@aol.com .


Alums In The News

* James J. Hayas, Class of 1967, was honored by Baldwin Wallace College with its 2008 Outstanding Educator Award at ceremonies held on Friday, April 4th. Hayas is a 1971 BW graduate.

* Michael Cunningham, Class of 1993 - Brunswick/MCCC, has been inducted into the Martial Art Hall of Fame for community involvement presented by Martial Arts World. The recognition took place May 3rd at the Martial Arts Leaders Summit in Orlando, Fla. He owns and teaches at Practical Martial Arts, 827 Pearl Road, Brunswick.

* Sarah and Gary Likowski, Class of 1996, welcomed their third son Micah Joseph into the world on April 4th, 2008. Micah weighed 7 pounds, 8 ounces and measured 20 1/2 inches at birth. Congratulations!

* Ray Boggs Jr., Class of 1982, passed away on April 1st, 2008. Ray, who passed away from complications of liver disease at Akron City Hospital while waiting for a liver transplant, was born in Cleveland, Ohio on January 7th, 1964. He earned his undergraduate degree from The University of Akron and received his Master’s degree in 2004. Special people in his life include: Missy Stroup (Merkle), Judy and Lou Merkle, Tony Spadafore, David Jesse, Steve Williams, Barry Artis, Greg Wright, Kristi Forshey , John Daniels and Richard Ian Tracy. “Mr. Boggs” as he was known to hundreds of children, was a teacher at Woodford Elementary and most recently at Portage Elementary in Barberton. Ray will be remembered for his love of learning and children, and
will be missed by his students and co workers alike.

* Mark Hillegass, a graduate of Brunswick High School and a sophomore music education major at The College of Wooster, received the Sally Comin Kaneshige Scholarship at Wooster's 38th annual Recognition Banquet on February 22nd. The scholarship, established in 1975, is awarded to worthy students, with preference shown to those majoring in music.

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