Judge defines being qualified

The new judge is on the board of the English Center.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Leslie Kiske's life's work and passion have been education and literacy. She will bring that experience to the 72nd annual Vindicator Regional Spelling Bee on Saturday by serving as one of three judges.
She began her career as a teacher in the Boardman school district, where she taught for 10 years.
Kiske is employed by the Youngstown city schools' Adult Basic Education program and is a coordinator of Project Opportunity, an adult literacy program in Mahoning County.
She has been active as a teacher in the English to Speakers of Other Language Program, and was a co-founder of the English Center, which was formed after the closing of the International Institute.
She found time to continue teaching at the English Center even during the 14 years of a hectic schedule working as a regional sales manager at Fireline of Youngstown.
"Whether I'm working with children or adults, when a teacher finds that certain key to motivate students, there is a deep sense of satisfaction seeing the desire to learn take place," she said.
Kiske, who serves on the board of The English Center, the International Institute Foundation and Park Vista, is a member of the Junior League of Youngstown, Children's International Summer Villages, Delta Kappa Gamma and the Catholic Collegiate Association.
She earned her master's degree as well as a bachelor's degree in education from Kent State University and has post-graduate work at Youngstown State University.
Others
Also returning as judges are Marcella Crann, retired Youngstown schools principal, and Paul Carney, president of Carney Plastics.
Dr. Fred Owens, professor in the Communication and Theater Department at YSU, will serve as pronouncer.
Serving as floor manager is the Rev. Lewis Macklin, pastor of Holy Trinity Missionary Baptist Church. He will be assisted by his daughter, Ashley, a sophomore at Chaney High School, and Dwayne Shavers, a YSU freshman.
Phyllis Cross, director of environmental services at Forum Health; John Rozzo, principal of St. Joseph School in Austintown; and Carolyn Anderson, former executive director of the Trumbull Memorial Hospital Foundation, will perform the duties of checkers.
Volunteers involved with registration and other administrative duties at the bee are: Olga Kragel, retired teacher at Choffin Career Center; Margie Rodriguez, guidance counselor at Wilson High School; and Hilda McGee, an administrator at Cleveland Elementary School.
Aslyne Rodriguez, a student at Ohio University in Athens, and her younger sister, Crystal, a student at Poland High School, also will assist.