The Ohio Chronicle - Ohio School for the Deaf

make the students’ tutoringand academic help experiencea positive one!We are pleased toannounce the additionof three fine tutors to ourprogram who epitomizethe ideals of teamwork,commitment to academicexcellence, and most importantly,dedication to studentacademic enrichment andachievement. Matt Koperdakand Acacia Stockert(better known as K.C.) areformer tutors who havedecided to resume theiroutstanding tutor services.Matt recently graduated witha B.A. in both History andEnglish from the Ohio StateUniversity. K.C. is currentlyenrolled at the Ohio StateUniversity and plans onmajoring in Health Sciences.Gary Lazarek is ournewest addition to the tutordepartment. He hails fromNew York and possessesimpressive credentials withboth a B.A. and M.A. fromGallaudet University. Alltutor staff are deaf and proficientin sign language.A typical day for tutorsinvolves processing specialtutor requests from teachersand/or parents and schedulingone-on-one sessions.Tutors also are availableon hand during study hourto help students with anyquestions they may encounterduring their homework.Tutors communicate withteachers to establish studytables for upcoming examsand make a point of encouragingall students to attendin order to master theirsubject knowledge beforethe big test! Our tutors alsoprovide educational activitiesto fill in the remainderof the study hour block forthose who have completedtheir homework such aslogical puzzles and educationalgames, to name acouple.We want to take thisopportunity to thank all thestudents, parents, teachers,youth leaders, administrators,and all other OSD stafffor their continued supportof the tutor program. TheAfrican proverb is true- ittakes a village to raise achild. The tutor departmentfeels very fortunate for theopportunity to lend a helpinghand in the educationalprocess.In closing, I would like toexpress personal gratitudefor the opportunity to coordinatethe tutor program andthe opportunity to work withthe wonderful staff at theOhio School for the Deaf.I tendered my letter of resignationeffective January14th in order to focus on mygraduate studies and otherpersonal endeavors. LonniePitt will be overseeing theafter school tutor programand any comments, concerns,and/or inquiries canbe sent to Pitt@osd.oh.gov.Message from Your AthleticDirectorBy Bill EstesThe fall athletic teamswere off to a goodstart as we hosted thefirst annual Mid-AmericanVolleyball and SoccerClassics during our 175thAnniversary Celebration.Western Pennsylvania,Kentucky, and St. Rita’sSchools for the Deaf joinedus in the competition withWPSD winning both classicsconvincingly. Kentuckyfinished 2nd and St. Rita’s3rd in volleyball while OSD’ssoccer team finished 2ndand St. Rita’s 3rd. The playersfrom all schools gatheredat the OSD Cafeteriathat night for a party whereeveryone enjoyed dancing,socializing, and making newfriends.Our volleyball team participatedin the CSSDVolleyball Tournament atIndiana and finished 4thafter defeating Michigan.We finished the year with2-22 record and expect tohave a better team nextyear as everyone returnsfrom last year’s squad. Oursoccer team went 2-13-1with two victories over St.Rita’s School for the Deaf.We are losing 3 seniorsfrom last season’s teamand hope to improve nextyear with new coaches. JimNunley and Cindy Kausewere the coaches for thelady netters while CharlesOwen and Neil Schaefercoached soccer. After theseason, senior Jason Babbof North Royalton and juniorDavid Earley of Cantonwere named to FRAT All-American soccer playerssecond team while ALPS,our league, named juniorTatum Cook of London toAll-ALPS honorable mentionin volleyball.Our Hall of Fame Luncheonand Induction Ceremonywas a success on Saturday,December 4, 2004. Wewere honored to inductthree great athletes wholeft OSD their marks andglory. They were GeorgeHurd (1948-50), Jeff Knouff(since 1988) and CharlesWilliams (1949-50). Hurdand Williams were footballgreats while Knouff wasinducted for his outstand-WINTER 2005WINTER, 2005 THE OHIO CHRONICLE PAGE 5