Pupils, staff honored

Basketball teams and science fair winners were among those recognized.
YOUNGSTOWN -- It was pupil and staff recognition day when the Youngstown Board of Education met earlier this week.
About 200 pupils and their families filled the board meeting room to hear about honors bestowed for academic, athletic and outstanding pupil and staff performances.
First came the introduction of the Rayen High School girls basketball team, which won the 2006-07 City Series and Steel Valley championships as well as the Ohio High School District Basketball Tournament.
Each received a certificate of appreciation and a commemorative T-shirt before shaking hands with district administrators and the board of education.
Next came the Hayes Middle School girls basketball team, which received congratulations for winning the 2006-07 City Series Championship; then the Hayes Middle School boys basketball team for achieving the same honor.
All team members received certificates and T-shirts.
A long list of budding young scientists were recognized for their top finishes in the recent All-City Science Fair competition. The list includes pupils from fifth through 12th grade and each received a certificate.
Other honorees
Kristen Stauffer, a business tech student at Choffin Career and Technical Center, was recognized for her volunteer work with the school's minicourses while Ashley Macklin, a senior at Chaney High School and a student member of the board of education, received an outstanding student award.
Two staff members also received certificates of appreciation for their service.
Linda Hooey, a VISTA volunteer working in the schools, received the Parent Initiative Award for her work with the high school mentoring program and various parent programs.
Genie Natale, the district's manager of educational technology, was recognized f1or being one of four finalists for the Educational Technology in Ohio Award.
One very important group, parents and family of the pupils who excelled, got no certificates, but they did get a round of applause at the urging of the Rev. Michael Write, board president, who cited their importance in their child's success.