AVON LAKE, Ohio -- It's been the topic of conversation in schools and communities around the United States for many weeks -- violence in our schools.
March 24 in Avon Lake
As students throughout the area and country organized walkouts last week, a national movement has been in the works after the tragic event in Parkland, Florida. March for Our Lives will take place Saturday in Washington, D.C., and is inspired by and led by students across the country to take action to stop the epidemic of mass school shootings.
For those who are unable to go to Washington this weekend, a group of Avon Lake parents, students and community members are organizing a March for Our Lives event in Avon Lake to coincide with the national march Saturday. The idea for a local event grew from a resident's Facebook post on the Parents of Avon Lake Facebook group.
On Saturday, marchers will meet at 3 p.m. (rain or shine) in the western parking lot of Avon Lake High School, 175 Avon Belden Road, where a memorial will be held for victims of school violence since Columbine in 1999.
Several students will speak before leading the group, wearing official colors (established by the national March for Our Lives program), to line the sidewalks on Avon Belden Road with signs. Booths will also be set up with voter registration and other information related to the cause.
The event is open to residents in all communities, and is not exclusive to Avon Lake residents.
The mission for the event is to "stand united in support for the victims of the Parkland shootings, and all those impacted by school violence." It is also to encourage ongoing discussions between kids and the community on how we can protect our children. For more information, email Marchforourlivesavonlake@gmail.com.
AVON
School play: Holy Trinity School Drama Club presents "Beauty and the Beast Jr." at 7 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday at Avon High School, 37545 Detroit Road. Tickets are $5 for students and $6 for adults in advance. All tickets are $6 at the door. To order advance tickets, go to holytrinityavon.org.
Kid's Kloset: The Avon Early Childhood PTA Spring Kid's Kloset resale event is Saturday at Avon Middle School, 3445 Long Road. The Early Bird sale ($5 admission fee) is from 7 to 9 a.m. General sale ($2 admission fee) hours are 9 a.m. to noon. The Kid's Kloset is a resale event featuring gently used infant and children's clothes, toys, furniture, baby equipment, maternity clothes and much more. For more information, go to avonecpta.org or email kidskloset@avonecpta.org.
Pennies for Patients: Congratulations to Avon Heritage Elementary School fifth-grader Leah Stanford for raising a total of $1,107 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The cause is near and dear to her heart, as she has family members who have passed away from blood cancers, including both great-grandmothers and a great-aunt. Currently, two uncles are dealing with blood cancers, too.
Seasonal help: Looking for a summer job? The City of Avon has a variety of seasonal positions available, including lifeguards, pool cashiers, pool technicians, and playground days workers. To apply, go to cityofavon.com.
AVON LAKE
Community basketball game: The first annual District-wide Community Challenge, hosted by the Avon Lake City Schools, is at 7:15 p.m. March 27 at Avon Lake High School, 175 Avon Belden Road. The event features elementary and intermediate school staff members vs. middle and high school staff members in a friendly basketball game.
The money raised from the event will fund an Avon Lake scholarship account. Each year, an Avon Lake student can apply for the scholarship to help pay for college expenses.
In addition to the basketball game, there will be a 50/50 raffle, halftime three-point challenge and other activities. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students. Pre-sale tickets are available at each school in the district. Tickets will be sold at the door on the day of the event starting at 6:30 p.m.
Memorial Day parade participants: The City of Avon Lake is currently planning for the annual Memorial Day Parade. The parade will be held at 10 a.m. May 28 beginning at Avon Lake High School, 175 Avon Belden Road, and ending at Veterans Memorial Park, 32756 Lake Road. Interested individuals, organizations, businesses and music groups that would like to participate should contact Mary Krupar, assistant to Mayor Gregory Zilka, at 440- 933-6141, ext. 1021 or email AvonLakeMemorialDay@AvonLake.org.
Swim team registration: The Avon Lake Swim Team will be holding registration from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Old Firehouse, 100 Avon Belden Road. For more information, go to avonlakestorm.com.
Snowman contest winner: Avon Lake resident Luke Bruce, 3, received the most "likes" on Facebook for his snowman in the annual Snowman Competition sponsored by the Avon Lake Parks and Recreation Department. To view a gallery of snowmen, along with the winning entry, visit the department's Facebook page.
New library board member: Welcome Matthew Pastron, the Avon Lake Public Library Board of Trustees' newest board member. He will fulfill a seven-year term from now through December 2024.
"It's about involvement with local government, resources, and philanthropies, which are not only a great way to give back, but a reinvestment in the community," Pastron said in a press release. "I'm excited to serve on a board committed to the library's success."
He brings a wealth of human resource, workforce analytics, organizational development, and succession planning experience to the board position.
School visits CRS: Several Eastview Elementary School fourth-graders recently visited Avon/Avon Lake Community Resource Services. The students are members of the school's Library Shelf Elf program and volunteer their recess to help out in the library. They have many duties, such as reading to first-graders, helping students select books, shelving books, repairing books, and checking books in and out.
The students also assisted in making gifts to sell in the school's Snowflake Shoppe during the holidays. The purpose for the field trip was for the students to experience what their hard work will do for those in need. The students donated $202 to CRS during the visit.
Discover your past: Avon Lake Public Library librarian and genealogist Laura Ploenzke will explain how to get started in genealogy and how the library can help at 7 p.m. March 27 in the Waugaman Gallery. Registration is required. Go to alpl.org or call 440-933-8128.
NORTH RIDGEVILLE
Senior brunch: Enjoy the sounds of the islands with a luau party at the Young at Heart brunch, featuring entertainment by Island Jeff, Steel Pan music, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. March 29 at the Senior Center. The Young at Heart Brunch is open to seniors 55 and older and includes a hot entree, fruit cup, juice and coffee for $3. For reservations, call 440-353-0828 by Tuesday.
Coffee and conversation: Join Mayor David Gillock for his monthly coffee chat from 4 to 5 p.m. March 29 at City Hall.
Lake Ridge Mock Trial results: Lake Ridge Academy's Mock Trial team recently competed in the Ohio High School Mock Trial competition in Columbus. This is the second year in a row that the team reached the state competition.
The team won its first trial, but lost the second trial. Team members came away from Columbus with individual awards, including Anjali Prabhakaran for Best Attorney and Dominic Donnelly for Best Witness.
Mock Trial team members include Prabhakaran (Avon), Bunsi Chapadia (Strongsville), Riya Lakkarajun (Strongsville), Maithili Patel (Seven Hills), Donnelly (Huron), Alec Wostman (Huron), Hana Baran (Avon and Lakewood), and Halle Garbinski (Bay Village).
If you have news to share regarding an event, award or other interesting tidbit happening in Avon or Avon Lake, and North Ridgeville send me an email jshortavon@aol.com. The column's online version is at Cleveland.com/Avon, which offers direct links for many of the news items listed.