Summer, 2012 - Stephen T. Badin High School

Tom Rains ’68 a strong teacher who will be missedHere is the simplest way to underline the legacy of thelate Tom Rains ’68: Patrick Keating ‘07 is a social studiesteacher because of Mr. Rains.“I was thinking about education or business, and Mr.Rains strongly suggested I become a teacher,’’ recalledKeating, who is now teaching the very same class, inthe very same classroom, that Rains taught. “It was agood choice and a good fit for me. Thanks to him, Imade the right decision.”Rains, 62, passed away on April 13 after an 18-monthbattle with cancer. He is survived by his wife, Karen, two children, SuzanneRoth ’90 and Joseph Rains ’96, and two grandchildren.“Tom was an outstanding teacher who cared a lot about his students,’’ saidBHS Principal Brian Pendergest ‘90. “If you had the privilege of being taughtby Tom Rains, you learned a lot. He will be greatly missed by the Badin family.”Rains taught government and social studies at Badin since 1983. His drysense of humor and intimate knowledge of the workings of government werelong admired among students.“I received the social studies award from him as a senior,’’ said Keating, whohad Rains for Advanced Placement Government that year. “It was really coolto get that from him.”As a student at Miami University, Keating kept in touch with Rains. “My sophomoreyear, he invited me into his classroom.I observed a little bit and we had some serious conversations about teaching, about the tricks of the trade.”Keating, who had been doing various sub work at Badin, stepped in for Rains as a long-term substitute in the fall of 2011.“It was very tough at first; bittersweet,’’ Keating said. “But the best compliment I received was that he was glad it was me(stepping in), that it wouldn’t be anybody else.”Rains was a graduate of Ohio University who also coached baseball at Badin in the mid-1980s. An Oxford resident, hewas a member of St. Peter in Chains Church in Hamilton.Cafeteria manager Ensor fed BHS students very wellShirley Ensor smiles in the midst of the kitchenshe called home for 24 years as Badin’s cafeteriamanager. She retired on June 1.Regarding Tom Rains:“He was a great person and educator and will bemissed. All three of my children had the pleasure ofhaving him as a teacher and only have kind words andgreat stories.”Mr. and Mrs. Ron Salerno on behalf of their children,Ronny ’07, Maria ’10 and Theresa ‘12“I was petrified the first day I walked in here,’’ recalled Shirley Ensor – whogot through that day, and 24 years of additional days as the cafeteria managerat Badin High School. While the Class of 2012 walked out with pomp andcircumstance, Ensor quietly retired on June 1.“It’s been a good journey,’’ Ensor said. “This has really been a good place towork. I’ve made a lot of good friends.”Ensor made Badin a good place to eat, as well, as students for years havebragged about the food at BHS – the mashed potatoes, macaroni-and-cheese,the various soups and so much more.“A lot of the food is homemade,’’ Ensor said. “The women who work heredo so much. The kitchen is so nice, so clean. There are no problems. I’veenjoyed it very much.”Ensor’s kitchen featured at least two hot lunch offerings every day, a saladbar, and plenty of munchies for those not quite sure what they wanted.How do you know how many to feed regularly?“We keep detailed daily records,’’ she said. “You learn what you need.We have 450 students at Badin this year – more than 300 of them would buy something on a daily basis.”Ensor’s husband had passed away and she was looking for work when she went to Fairfield High to see if anything wasavailable in their food service operation. There was just a modest part-time job … but the manager suggested that Shirley callBadin High, knowing of an opening here. “I called Mr. Tom Collins (former Badin principal) on a Friday … and I started thefollowing Monday,’’ Ensor said. “It’s been very rewarding.”12