Pupils take pride in promoting levy

'Got Pride?' Struthers Middle School pupils say they do.
By WILLIAM K. ALCORN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
STRUTHERS -- A group of Struthers Middle School pupils are playing a major role in the campaign to pass a five-year, 6.9-mill school levy at the May 2 primary election.
The day after the levy was defeated at the November 2005 election, pupils in the school's advanced English language arts program came to school saddened and discouraged, many in tears, said Jennifer Colosimo, teacher of the eighth-grade gifted and talented class.
They were worried about what would happen to their school, the special classes, extracurricular activities and their education, she said.
But they quickly turned their hurt and disappointment into determination to work to pass the levy this spring, Colosimo said.
That same day, the class chose the campaign logo, "Got Pride?," suggested by and designed on the computer by Nick Ragan, Kory George and Nate Obenauf.
They also designed a billboard that says "Got Pride? We Do!," that will be put up along Youngstown-Poland Road as part of the levy campaign.
Selling T-shirts
The "Got Pride?" logo appears on the front of levy T-shirts the class is selling to raise money for the campaign. "Vote Yes! Struthers City Schools" is on the back of the shirts.
With the help of Ink'n Thread Works, 19 Lowellville Road, levy T-shirts were created and are being sold for $7.50 to $9.50 each. The $2.50 profit on each shirt goes toward promoting the levy, said Shannon Tirone, co-chairman of the Struthers Levy Committee, along with Paul Garchar.
The 6.9-mill, five-year levy would generate $1,060,419 a year, beginning in 2007.
The T-shirts come in small, medium, large and extra large for $7.50. Sizes double-X are $8.50, and triple-X are $9.50. The shirts can be ordered by mailing or bringing a check or money order, made payable to Struthers Middle School, 800 Fifth St. Exact cash is also acceptable. Colosimo said 275 T-shirts have already been sold.
"I was taken aback by their emotion and awareness," Colosimo said of her pupils after the November election.
"It was overwhelming to me," she said, tears welling up in her eyes.
"As teachers, it makes us fight harder because you see that the kids care so much," Colosimo said.
Getting organized
The pupils organized themselves into committees -- public relations, activities, technology, marketing and outside-school events -- and went to work.
Colosimo requires that her English language arts pupils participate in a community service project each year.
"I want to make sure they understand the real world and have a commitment to their community," she said.
She said working on the levy campaign is this year's service project, and that it adheres to the Ohio Department of Education's content standards and course of study requirements.
Colosimo said the school's staff is helping with the project, including Janet George, eighth-grade math teacher, who is helping Colosimo chaperone out-of-school events; and the secretarial staff, Judy Wilson and Sue Rhoads.
Speaking out
Several of the teens, all members of the "Got Pride?" public relations committee, talked about the 2005 levy defeat, how much their school means to them, and why they think the levy should be passed at the May election.
"A lot of us were crying and sad. We felt defeated" after the levy failed, Emily Kremin said. "I didn't want to lose Mrs. C. [Colosimo]," she said.
"We were bummed out, but right away we started thinking about what we could do to help pass the next levy," said Dana Mathews, who plays three sports and is in advanced classes.
"We need the advanced classes," said Miranda Tusinac, who was afraid the classes would be cut because the levy failed.
"I just hope people get out and vote for the levy," said James Hupp, who is considering studying pre-law. "If the levies continue to fail, the classes I need would disappear," he said.
"We want people to put personalities aside and understand it is about education and kids and keeping standards high," Dana said.
"We don't mind if people vote no ... as long as they are voting on facts, not personalities," Miranda said.
"This campaign will help get the facts out," Nick said.
"Working on the levy campaign is a good way for kids to get involved in the community, and it might help voters realize that if the levy fails, it would hurt us the most," Kory said.
"If we work together and get the community involved, we can make a difference," Emily said.
alcorn@vindy.com