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BCSD Alum Book Placed on Nonfiction Honor List

Dr. John Becker, BHS graduate and member of the Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame, has won a spot on the Nonfiction Honor List for 2008 from the Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) for his nonfiction book for middle school students, Wild Cats Past & Present. The awards are presented annually to books that were nominated by publishers and selected by a committee of librarians and teachers from around the United States.

It is an extreme honor to be recognized for Wild Cats Past & Present, said Becker. To be rewarded for work that you are passionate about is the best reward of all.

His book is filled with information about all 36 species of wild cats that roam the earth today as well as detailed information about the ancient ancestors of our modern cats such as sabertoothed cats. Information is also given on the conservation status of many of the worlds wild cats and efforts to save wild cats from extinction.

This book is also a Junior Library Guild selection and is ideal for children ages 11 and up. Wild Cats Past & Present is published by Darby Creek Publishing.

Dr. John Becker is an author, teacher and speaker and has written 25 books on wildlife, including the picture book, Mugambis Journey. For more information about Dr. Becker, to inquire about speaking opportunities or read more about his books, visit: www.johnbeckerauthor.com.

Alumni Hall of Fame Nominations Needed

The Brunswick City Schools Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame is seeking nominations for this year's class of inductees to be honored on April 24th. Nominations of alumni who have distinguished themselves in their field of study, life's work or community involvement, will be accepted through February 26th. Download a nomination form at: http://www.brunswickschoolsalumni.org. The ceremony, in conjunction with the Brunswick Education Foundation, will also include the Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame for the first time. For information on nominating someone for the Sports Hall of Fame, call Bob Kenderes at (330) 225-0552.

Nowak Announces Retirement

Rich Nowak, longtime Social Studies teacher and varsity head football coach at Brunswick High School, announced that he will retire at the close of the 2009-2010 school year. Nowak served as a teacher, assistant principal and athletic director during his 37-year career at Brunswick High School. During his 18-year tenure as head coach at Brunswick, he compiled a record of 152-49 (.756 winning percentage). He led his team to the Division I State Playoffs the past nine consecutive years. Additionally, Nowak was extremely active in the high schools Volunteer Opportunities for Teens (VOFT) and the district’s annual Relay-for-Life program (which raised funds that supported the American Cancer Society).

BHS Alum Honored on January 29th

Brunswick High School graduate Laura Wozniak Dunlay will be one of eight former University of Akron athletes honored at the 35th annual Varsity A Sports Hall of Fame banquet at the Martin University Center on January 29th. Laura, who graduated from the University of Akron in 1997, was a four-year letter-winner as a high jumper and the first UA female athlete to compete in the NCAA Div. I Indoor Track Championships. The banquet begins at 6:00pm with a social hour, followed by dinner at 7:00pm and the induction program at 8:00pm. For further information, contact Ken MacDonald at (330) 699-5272.

2004 BHS Alum Graduates from University of Akron

Ron and Angela Edwards, a paraprofessional at Edwards Middle School, inform us that their daughter, 2004 BHS graduate Linda Edwards, graduated with a Bachelors degree in interpersonal and public communication and a minor in sales and marketing from Akron University on December 12th.

PAC Renamed in Honor of Hayas

The Brunswick High School Performing Arts Center, or PAC, was PACKED in honor of James Hayas on Friday, September 11th and big surprises were sprung on the former superintendent who retired on July 31st. In a surprise special school board meeting, the board of education re-named the performing arts center for Hayas, who spent most of his school years and his professional career in Brunswick. A special video tribute was aired for the large audience. It featured friends, family and former colleagues. A tailgate reception followed the formal presentation and at the evening’s football game vs. Massillon Perry High School, Hayas was also honored.

Alums In The News

* Michael A. Schmidt, BHS Class of 1998, received his Doctorate of Philosophy in Organic Chemistry in commencement exercises June 6th from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Mike is the son of Donald & Janice Schmidt (BHS - Special Ed. Paraprofessional).

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