YOUNGSTOWN East High panel plans fund-raising walkway

Pavers will hold three lines of 14-letter text.
By JoANNE VIVIANO
VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The East High Hall of Fame Committee is dusting off final plans for a "Hall of Fame Walk" to be crafted with engraved brick pavers at the new East High School.
Lock P. Beachum Sr., Youngstown Board of Education president, announced the committee's plans Monday during a groundbreaking for the 208,000 square-foot, $26 million school to be erected at Bennington Avenue and Parker Street. Plans are for a fall 2005 opening.
"I think it's great. It's an outstanding idea," said Beachum, who served as a principal at the former East High School [now East Middle School]. "People really want to leave something, not only for their grandchildren but for their children and the community, to show their support and the respect they have for the school, the interest they have in the school and the interest they have in the whole community."
Funds will help children
Funds from the sale of $25 4-by-8-inch brick pavers would go to the hall of fame committee treasury and be used to assist children at the school, whether they need track shoes or other help, said Kenny Clark of Youngstown, a committee member.
Member Ed Kinney of North Canton said a goal is to eventually establish a scholarship fund for East High School students.
Buyers would be permitted to have three lines of text engraved on each brick. Clark said fliers are being prepared that will be available in local businesses soon; more details on how pavers can be bought will be released next week.
The new East High School is part of the Youngstown district's $182 million school facilities project, funded by 80 percent state and 20 percent local funds. Also part of the project are five more new buildings with renovations to 10 other schools.
Meeting with planners
Kinney said hall of fame committee members have met with planners at Ricciuti Balog and Partners Architects. The firm has designed the new school and is working with the committee to come up with possibilities for the walk's location. Clark said the bricks will come from the Crown Monument Co. in Youngstown.
Beachum said the walkway will serve as a historical symbol to future students of "how far East High School has come."
"It will give them a sense of perspective that education is very, very important, not only today but for those of the past," he said.