Crestview board honors WW II vet with diploma
By DEANNE JOHNSONNEW WATERFORD -Half a world away and nearly a lifetime ago, Ralph Bartholow was a part of the invasion of Iwo Jima, fighting in the Pacific during World War II with the U.S. Navy.
He had left early from Fairfield Centralized High School, now in the Crestview District. Surviving the war and returning to the area, Bartholow married, raised a family and became a successful businessman - all without his high school diploma.
That all changed on Veterans Day at the Crestview Board of Education meeting, where Bartholow, 83, received his diploma from Board President James Weikart. A large crowd, aware of the ceremony, attended the graduation, which included Bartholow in graduation regalia. He even asked his daughter to flip his tassel.
Although he has had his share of medical problems, many years of multiple sclerosis and a more recent stroke, his daughters spoke of a man who still has a sense of humor. When asked by Weikart if he would like to say something, Bartholow said "goodbye."
Bartholow was welcomed as the newest member to the Crestview Alumni Association by the group's president, Herman Miller. His daughters also welcomed those in attendance to a graduation party for their father at the Parkside Health Care Center in Columbiana where he now lives.
After the meeting, board member Dan Simmons, who has been on the board for 12 years, counted doing something like giving Bartholow his diploma one of his proudest moments on the board.
He said he hopes other men who left the area early also will apply to the district for their diplomas, which they deserve for giving of themselves to not only their community, but their country.
There were several other proud moments during Wednesday's board meeting:
Members of the board were given a chance to hold the Inter Tri-County League Division I championship trophy recently awarded to the football team. After defeating local rival East Palestine last week, the Rebels are playing Ursuline at Austintown Fitch at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Athletic Director Andris Baltputnis told the board there would even be separate parking lots for the two schools at Austintown Fitch, so people buying advanced tickets also will receive information about where to park. The school gets to keep only a percentage of the money from presale tickets, so Baltputnis said he encourages people to buy tickets in advance of the game.
Crestview will be the home side, which seats about 9,000 people. There are no reserve tickets.
The Rebels practiced at East Palestine's field Wednesday in anticipation of the turf field in Austintown.
The board presented a clock to former high school Principal John Gecina, who retired over the summer. They also presented the Rebel Pride Award to Debbie Pietzrak. Additionally, Aaryn Kordecki and Zachary Bowers were named high school students of the month.
Another award passed around at the meeting was the recently presented 2009 Regional Chamber Excellence in Education, which Crestview received for its wellness programs led by nurse Janet Liepheimer. In addition to a program to urge employees not to put on the traditional five to eight pounds over the holidays, there will be a Turkey Trot 5K race Nov. 21. Preregistration is $12; late entry is $15. Forms are in the office, online or available from Leipheimer.
Elementary Principal Marian Dangerfield reported that an art teacher at Crestview, Laura Spencer, recently took part in a Mona Lisa Project. Each participant painted something that had meaning to them, in Spencer's case her grandmother and grandfather. Then the various paintings were put together to form a mosaic of the Mona Lisa. The project is currently on display at the Eastwood Mall in Niles, but will be traveling across the country.
An upcoming matter of pride for the district is the new auditorium, which is moving quickly through the planning stages. Board member Dave Vollnogle said he believes the project's plans will be ready to be presented at the board's next meeting, 7 p.m. Dec. 9. He also feels the district should receive a large number of bids. He said a recent $120,000 project by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources in the Salem area received 19 bids, a huge number he believes is a reflection of the current economy.
