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The Argus-Press
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Owosso, Michigan
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Thurs., Feb. 26, 2015
7
TROJAN TIMES
Owosso Public Schools • www.owosso.k12.mi.us • Ready for the World!
Tuttle’s
Thoughts
MONDAY
Last week’s riddle: They have not flesh, nor feathers, nor scales,
nor bone. Yet they have fingers and thumbs of their own. What are
they? Answer: Gloves.
This week’s riddle: Four men were in a boat on the lake. The boat
turns over, and all four men sink to the bottom of the lake, yet not a
single man got wet. Why?
TUESDAY
Family’s Love of Band Program
Results in Generous Donation
At the Board of Education meeting on February 23, the Owosso
Band Directors made an exciting announcement highlighting an
extremely generous monetary gift to be used for the purchase of
new band uniforms.
The donation, in the amount of $50,000, was made via a cotrustee for the Ruth Bartsch Memorial Trust in memory of Joseph
and Margaret Gregoricka. Joseph and Margaret’s children (Pat,
Elaine, Anne [Bob] Osmer, Mike, and Dave) were given the task of
designating the recipient of the donation. When asked why they
chose the band, one of their daughters, Pat, responded with the
following statement.
“When we were growing up, the band was our extracurricular
life at school. The five of us were members of the Owosso Band
all through high school, as was Bob. Anne and I played clarinet
and were majorettes, Elaine played the flute and was a majorette,
Mike played trombone, Dave played the cornet and was drum
major and Bob played trombone and was drum major. This was
done at a great sacrifice by my parents who farmed for a living
and did not have much disposable income. However, my parents
were very proud of our participation in the music program and
always tried to attend all our performances, even though it meant
putting in some very early hours just to be done in time to watch
us. I remember how good it felt knowing my parents were in the
stands while we were on the field performing. When Bob and
Anne’s daughters started playing instruments, Grandma was very
proud of them! Theresa and Bethany played the clarinet, Kate the
flute, Allison the cornet, and Holly was a majorette and played
the flute. We made the trips to Florida to watch the girls march at
Disney World and we were all so proud of the Owosso High Band
as they marched past us...and even more proud when we heard
all the ‘ooohhhs’ and ‘aaahhhs’ of the crowds around us! So, it
was natural for our family to want to give back to an organization
which had been so good to us.”
At the meeting, Owosso Middle School Band Director Mike Tolrud commented, “On behalf of the Owosso Band Directors, Band
Boosters, students and alumni, we would like to sincerely thank
Anne, Pat, Elaine, Mike, Dave and the Ruth Bartsch Memorial Trust
for their generosity in making this donation to the Owosso Band
Program.”
Owosso Public Schools announced a generous $50,000 donation
via a co-trustee for the Ruth Bartsch Memorial Trust in memory
of Joseph and Margaret Gregoricka at the Board of Education
meeting on February 23. Pictured at the announcement are (left
to right): Mr. Jordan Sterk, Assistant Band Director; Anne (Gregoricka) Osmer, Mr. Mike Tolrud, Owosso Middle School Band
Director; Pat Gregoricka, Elaine Gregoricka, Olga Quick, Band
Booster President; Paula Foster, Band Booster Treasurer; Brena
Irelan, Band Booster Uniform Chair; and Ms. Jillian Schlegel,
Owosso High School Band Director.
Superintendent
Lucas Messmer Named
National Merit Finalist
Lucas Messmer, a senior
at Owosso High School, has
earned the prestigious recognition of a National Merit Finalist
by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation for his exceptional achievement on the SAT.
Over 1.4 million students
took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test in October 2013 and
entered the National Merit
Scholarship Program. In April
2014, the 50,000 highest scorers were identified. In October
2014, some 16,000 of the highest performers were designated
Semifinalists on a state representational basis. Semifinalists had
an opportunity to continue in the Merit Scholarship competition
and advance to Finalist standing by meeting a number of additional requirements. In February 2015, 15,000 Finalists received
notification of their advancement to Finalist standing. Lucas was
one of these individuals and has been named a National Merit
Finalist in the 2015 National Merit Scholarship Program.
Lucas will have an opportunity to compete for some 7,600 National Merit Scholarships worth about $33 million that will be offered this spring. More than half of the Finalists will win a National
Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title. The nationwide
pool of National Merit Finalists, represent less than one percent
of U.S. high school seniors.
Lucas is the son of Kirk Messmer and the grandson of Dan and
JoAnn Messmer. He plans to major in computer science but he
is undecided at this time what college he would like to attend to
further his education.
MARCH
Proud to be a Trojan,
After receiving the bond results, I was obviously disappointed. However, I will always
focus on the great aspects of our district and
our community. Great people make up great
communities and we have wonderful people
in Owosso. The Owosso Public Schools are
Andrea Tuttle
filled with positive people who are working
Superintendent
tirelessly to provide a bright future for our
youth. I want to sincerely thank all of the individuals who took the time to become educated about the bond
proposal and who voted.
I have been asked, “So where do we go from here?” In 2002, the
community voted down a bond for a new middle school. In 2015,
13 years later, the community voted down the idea of merging the
middle school and the high school. The Owosso Middle School staff
is outstanding and they deserve accolades for all their work with our
adolescent population. The need still exists to upgrade all the facilities in Owosso Public Schools, but particularly the middle school.
The school community is eternally grateful for past generations who
invested in the future and paid for the infrastructure that we enjoy
today. We are also grateful for the continued support of the sinking
fund that has allowed the district to maintain our facilities to the
best of our ability. I know that there are differing opinions of where
we go from here. The community will take time to reflect and determine what the next steps should be. This is not a time to be divisive,
it is a time to come together to support our community and work
together for the good of all of us, but especially our kids.
March 2
Girls Varsity Basketball Districts TBA
Bryant Volleyball Club 3:45 p.m.
March 3
Kindergarten Registration at Roosevelt
HEAD Start 9 a.m.
Central Tech Me Out Night 6-7 p.m.
OHS Choir Concert 7:30 p.m.
OMS Wrestling v. DeWitt 4:30 p.m.
Boys Freshman Basketball @ Kearsley 4 p.m.
Boys JV Basketball @ Kearsley 5:30 p.m.
Boys Varsity Basketball @ Kearsley 7 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
March 4
Bryant PTO Minute to Win It event 3:45 p.m.
Bryant Tech Me Out Night 4 p.m.
Emerson Tech Me Out Night 4 p.m.
Girls Varsity Basketball Districts TBA
THURSDAY
March 5
Bryant PTO Movie Night 3:45 p.m.
LHS Basketball v. Ingham Academy 4:30 p.m.
Boys Freshman Basketball v. Clio 4 p.m.
Boys JV Basketball v. Clio 5:30 p.m.
Boys Varsity Basketball v. Clio 7 p.m.
FRIDAY
March 6
LHS Trimester 2 Ends
Bryant Spring Pictures
Bryant Student of the Month 8 a.m.
Girls Varsity Basketball Districts TBA
Community Education Classes
Program details and registration forms can be found on www.owosso.k12.
mi.us or by calling the Community Education office at 989-729-5682.
Beginning Dog
Obedience Level I
Wednesday, 3/11/15 to 4/22/15 (6
weeks), no class on 4/8
Two class times offered 6-7 p.m.
or 7-8 p.m.
Instructor: Cheryl Barton
$35 per dog
Beginning Dog
Obedience Level 2
Thursdays, 3/12/15 to 4/23/15 (6
weeks), no class on 4/9
Instructor: Cheryl Barton
$35 per dog
Swim Programs
Lap Swim
Mondays and Thursdays, now until
4/30/15, no swimming on 4/6, 4/9
5:45-6:45 a.m.
OHS Pool
The cost is $2 per visit and is paid
at the pool. Pre-registration is not
required. In the event that school
is closed due to weather or for a
holiday, lap swim will not be held.
Open Swim
Mondays, 2/23/15 to 5/18/15, no
swimming on 4/6
7-8 p.m.
Saturdays, until 3/28/15, no
swimming on 2/14
12-2 p.m.
OHS Pool
The cost is $2 per person per visit
or $5 per family per visit and is
paid at the pool. Pre-registration
is not required. In the event that
school is closed due to weather
or for a holiday, open swim will
not be held.
Water Aerobics
Mondays and Thursdays, 2/23/15
to 5/21/15 (24 classes), 6-7 p.m.
No class on 4/6, 4/9
$54 for 24 classes, $27 for 12
classes or $3 per person walk-in
fee
OHS Pool
Register
Soon!