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FOSTORIA fOCUS - May 20, 2013
Music City a hit for SW senior
By Alex Boroff, Focus Reporter

If you want to learn about the music industry, what better place than Music City?

That’s what St. Wendelin senior Catrina Lang thought when she traveled to Nashville, Tenn., to learn about radio and music promotion for her final project before graduating.

Before leaving St. Wendelin, all seniors take part in a final project called SCOPE, which stands for Senior Career Options Practical Experience. SCOPE projects are career exploration opportunities for students that allow them to experience a particular career first-hand. Students shadow a sponsor at the job site for four days to learn about their chosen career.

Lang, who wants to someday work in some area of the music industry, wanted to know more about the business side of music. Through a friend she happened to know a contact in Nashville who works at Cumulus Media Network, Brian Switzer, an Arcadia graduate who works as vice president of programming and distribution for Cumulus.

Lang has always been a fan of country music, and going to Nashville gave her an opportunity to see the behind-the-scenes work that goes into promoting country artists.

“I’ve always loved country music, so it was really cool focusing on that certain aspect of it, because all the people that I worked with promoted country artists or country radio stations,” Lang said.

She left for Nashville May 8 and returned the following Wednesday. While there, Lang spent two days at Cumulus Media Network, where she learned about the radio broadcasting side of the music industry. But Switzer also set Lang up with contacts at Warner Bros. Records and Sony Records.

“His connections were invaluable,” Lang said, because I wouldn’t have been able to go to Sony and say ‘Hey can I shadow you for a day?’ And that’s when I learned that networking is really important in this industry.

“It helps to network with people and that’s what promotional work is all about.”

At Sony Records, Lang saw a showcase concert featuring The Henningsens, an up-and-coming country trio now touring with Brad Paisley and signed under the Sony-owned Arista Nashville record label. The showcase was a private concert whose audience consisted of industry professionals looking to see how to promote the group.

“They were trying to pick the next radio single that will promote them the best,” Lang said. “It was more the musical side of Sony.”

At Warner Bros., Lang saw how artists are marketed in print media. For newer artists, promotions professionals simply want to make the artists’ names known by contacting as many publications and media outlets as possible, Lang said. But, when promoting the work of more established artists, marketers use a more targeted approach.

“They pick and choose which media outlets will represent them the best,” Lang said.

Overall, the experience gave Lang insight into what her future career may be like. She plans on attending Ohio University in Athens in the fall to study business. Lang has been involved in choir and other musical activities while at St. Wendelin, and hopes to continue involving herself in music while at college.

Though her ultimate goal is to be a recording artist, Lang said she could see herself working in the business side of the music industry as she did for her SCOPE project.

“I guess my number-one goal is to be a recording artist, but you have to have a fall-back plan,” she said.

And, should Lang become a performer, having an understanding of the music industry will certainly help.

“Even if you go the artist route, knowing the business side is really important,” Lang said. “because it is about art, but it is also a business.”

Distinguished Graduate Awarded

The St. Wendelin Elementary Distinguished Graduate Award for 2013 was presented following the May Crowning ceremony on May 3. The SW Elementary Distinguished Graduate Award is given to a person who lives the Gospel faith and values and represents well the education received in a Catholic school environment.

Mary Beth “Betsy” (Moes) Faeth is an SW elementary school graduate of 1974 and a SWHS graduate of 1978. She has earned bachelor’s degrees in nursing and business and a master’s in education. Betsy currently serves as ProMedica Fostoria Community Hospital’s Director of Health and Safety, Infection Prevention, Emergency Management and Customer Service.

Summarizing the words of her daughter, Emily, who nominated her: “Betsy is a dedicated parishioner and supporter of St. Wendelin Catholic Church and School. She and her husband, Jeff, have raised four alumni and taught each what it means to be a faith-based lifelong learner. She is committed to her faith, parish, school and community and volunteers time to each. She takes every opportunity to generously serve those around her. Betsy plays an active role in the community, seeking always to leave it better than she found it. Growing up in a large Catholic family and being a strong believer in a solid, faith-filled education, she has set the example for what it truly means to be successful and blessed! She is the most important influence on my faith and my life!”

Nationally, the first Distinguished Graduate Awards were presented in 1991. In past years, St. Wendelin Catholic School has recognized many individuals who have made significant contributions to the community and/or church community.

April 12, 2013

http://www.fostoriafocus.com/article.php?id=5068

By Alex Boroff
Focus Reporter

St. Wendelin students heard a sobering presentation about human trafficking Monday.
Judy Hofmann, an associate of the Sisters of St. Francis in Tiffin, gave a presentation about human trafficking to Matt Kettinger’s junior students, and also shared with students some of the positive things the Sisters of St. Francis are doing to help trafficking victims.

“It’s the fastest growing criminal trade,” Hofmann said, reporting that human trafficking is a $32 billion per year industry.

The U.S. Criminal Code defines human trafficking as coercing a person to into performing commercial labor, service or sex acts.

“There has to be a need or demand for sex or labor and lots of people who are profiting from it” to
have human trafficking, Hofmann said.

Hofmann said those who engage in human trafficking, whether it be labor or sex trafficking, treat others as property from which to profit. “It shows that they don’t see them as human beings — they treat them as objects. And I think the more our society continues to forget how to care for one another, and people in society become more and more desperate, there’s going to be more of this.”

The majority of victims of sex trafficking, Hoffman noted, are women and girls.
Sisters in Shelter, a program of Sisters of St. Francis in Tiffin established in 2009, has been working on creating a recovery house for women victims of human trafficking, particularly adult victims.

“Our dream is to eventually have a house where people who are trafficked can have a safe haven,” Hofmann said.

For more information on Sisters in Shelter, visit www.tiffinfranciscans.org.

Judge presides at Mock Trial

Recently, Findlay Municipal Court Judge, Jonathan P. Starn, was present in Mrs. Smith’s Honors American History classroom to preside over a Mock Trial. The trial was concerning the Titanic and possible negligence of the White Star Line that virtually guaranteed that the ship was “unsinkable.” The plot of the trial involves a young girl whose fiancé perishes after the ship hits an iceberg. From there, the prosecution and defense created their own strategies, evidence and witness testimony. With Judge Starn’s help and redirection, the students became more familiar with this process. Judge Starn moderated the three-day process in which Smith’s students served as the prosecution, defense, witnesses, bailiff and jury. The lead prosecutor was sophomore Rob Park and lead defense attorney was 8th grader Lauren Myers.

FEBRUARY 1, 2013 – CATHOLIC CHRONICLE
Fostoria musician composes Year of Faith song for diocese
BY LAURIE STEVENS BERTKE
Chronicle Writer

FOSTORIA—After premiering at Fostoria St. Wendelin in December, a hymn inspired by the Diocese of Toledo’s theme for the Year of Faith is now available for use by all parishes.

Composed by Anthony Gallina, the song, “Fill Our Hearts,” draws its lyrics from the words and imagery of the diocesan prayer for the Year of Faith. The refrain incorporates all three words of the theme, “Believe, Celebrate, Live,” with each verse focusing on one of these words.

“After reading the prayer and thinking about the Year of Faith, I thought it would be really nice to take the theme and work it into a song and dedicate it to the diocese,” says Mr. Gallina, the pastoral associate for music and liturgy at St. Wendelin and director of choral music for its school. “As for the melody, I was trying to come up with something that would be easy to sing, for congregations to learn, and also something that would really draw out the inner spirit of the text,” he adds.

Father Nicholas Weibl, pastor of St. Wendelin, says the hymn is easy to sing and was “accepted nicely” by the congregation. “It summarizes what the Year of Faith is all about,” he says.

Mr. Gallina is a native of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati who graduated from Bowling Green State University in 2010 and has worked at St. Wendelin since July 2011.

Though he has composed a few other pieces, he says he is “not very profound at writing music” normally. “I’m a very good arranger — taking works that have been in existence and working them to whatever group I’m working with — but I’m not generally good at putting my own ideas out there, especially text,” he explains. “So the fact that it was all able to come together in this piece was very interesting.” He says the hymn was well received by the congregation when the choir sang it in December. “I had a lot of people come up to me afterwards and say how much they enjoyed it,” he says.

“I’m happy that they like it, but it’s me using the talent that God gave me to give back to everyone else, so I try to stay as humble as possible, because I know it would not have been possible to write that without His gifts,” Mr. Gallina adds.

Mr. Gallina would like to see his hymn used throughout the diocese during the Year of Faith. He has made the music and lyrics available for free on the diocesan website at www.toledodiocese.org; click on the Year of Faith logo and then “Music.”

“I just encourage whoever would like to use the song in their parish to please do so,” says Mr. Gallina. “It’s my gift to the diocese, and I just hope it draws us all into a deeper sense of prayer and deepens our faith during this upcoming year.”

Model United Nations Conference

St. Wendelin Catholic High School students participated in the 2013 Mid-American Model United Nations conference in Ann Arbor, Michigan, March 12-16. This is the group’s second year participating in MAMUN. Fifteen students acted as delegates from Rwanda and Uganda. This entailed researching their country’s policies and interacting, debating, and collaborating with delegates representing several other countries. Delegates also participated in separate committees, which focus on current issues recognized by the UN. The majority of students met in General Assembly, which is composed of five committees: Political; Special Political; Social, Humanitarian and Cultural; Science and Technology; and Legal. Other students participated in the Economic and Social Committees, which has three committees: Economic; Human Rights; and Environmental. Delegates also had the opportunity in the ever-popular crisis situation, where they attempt to alleviate tension and violence under an extreme circumstance. Students love crises for their informal yet high-stakes setting.

The St. Wendelin Model UN team has worked very hard this year and has learned so much about diplomacy, problem-solving, and the international community at large. Although the group did not win any awards collectively, three students were individually recognized: Anthony Halsted ‘13 (Rwanda) and Tim Pariseau ’13 (Uganda) won Second Honors in the Science and Technology Committee, and Lindsay Weaver ’14 (Rwanda) won Second Honors in the Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee. The St. Wendelin Model UN team had a fantastic experience and is already highly anticipating next year; they are preparing for research and committee procedure, and they are hoping to be assigned a more prolific country, such as China!

THE CATHOLIC CHRONICLE - March 04, 2013
Fostoria St. Wendelin freshmen react to pope’s resignation

FOSTORIA—Father Matthew Rader, associate pastor at Fostoria St. Wendelin and chaplain at St. Wendelin Catholic High School, invited his freshman theology students to share their reactions to Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation and their hopes for the future. Here are some of their responses.

Olivia Zimmerman (Carey Our Lady of Consolation):

“Personally my reaction to the pope resigning is that it was his choice. If he felt that he could not fulfill the duties of being the head of the church, he just can't. If he prayed about his choice and asked the Holy Spirit for guidance, I feel that his decision is a good one. My hope for the future pope is that he helps bring the church together more and relates more to my generation and gets more young people involved.”

Nykia Diaz (Fostoria St. Wendelin):

“I hope that the next pope can help involve more teens in our religious beliefs.”

Zach Kruszynski (Fostoria St Wendelin):

“My hope for the new pope is that he will guide us in the right path and make good decisions. I also hope that he will make religion more understandable for the young people of today.”

Zac Dixon (Fostoria St Wendelin):

“My hope for the future pope is someone who knows how to lead and has very strong faith. The pope should also be able to drop everything and follow Jesus.”

Nick Weaver (Findlay St. Michael the Archangel):

“My hope for the future pope is that he’s a younger man like Pope John Paul II. I think we should have a younger pope so that we have him for a longer period of time.”

Madison Borer (Fostoria St Wendelin):

“My hope for the future pope is that he directs the Catholic Church in a good direction and that he incorporates modern society in his teachings.”

Alexis Yates (Findlay St. Michael the Archangel):

“As for the pope's resignation, I feel that it is a good idea because of old age. My hope for the future pope is that he will do all he can to make the people and the church happy.”

Lesly Quinonez (Fostoria St Wendelin):

“My hope for the future pope is that he leads us in a good way of life by protecting, teaching and helping us with our religion.”

Father Rader offered his own response, as well:

“I feel the Holy Father made a humble and wise decision to step down. When Benedict became pope, I knew he would be what the church needed him to be. I’ve been continually surprised by the wisdom he provides in his writings.

“I think Benedict realizes that the church has great needs and he is not able to fulfill those needs at this time. He can provide a different ministry. But the church is in need of a pope with the energy to address this ever-changing world.

“My hope is that the next pope is an individual with the vision and zeal to be able to speak effectively and continue the evangelization of John Paul II in meeting people where they are.”

Students dine with Bishop Blair

Nine SWCS students from St. Wendelin and St. Michael the Archangel parishes attended the St. Andrew Dinner sponsored by the Diocese of Toledo’s Office of Vocations at Findlay St. Mike’s on March 6. Following evening prayer and dinner, those in attendance from several parishes around the diocese listened as Bishop Leonard Blair, Fr. Matt Rader, and seminarian Scott Woods spoke briefly about how they came to know the Lord’s call in their lives.

Representing SWCHS were seniors Kieran Campbell, Anthony Halstead, Tim Pariseau, and Austin Reinhart; junior Trent Whetsel; sophomore Joey DeHaven; and freshmen Peter Campbell, Cameron Hunter, and Justin Walter. SWCHS alum Mark Berton was also in attendance.

Let us pray for these young men and all our students and alumni as they continue to answer God’s call to serve his people well.

Physics can be fun

Chemistry students in Mrs. Sakel’s class began this project by selecting a project topic. They chose a project on collisions: an egg drop. As a class, the students studied the physics of inelastic and elastic collisions. Meanwhile, the students had one ten-minute time frame to select materials to be approved during class. These materials would be the only materials they could use according to the rubric.

On February 28, the students had to bring in a contraption that was made from at least three of the materials on the list and a paper on how collisions, energy, and momentum affected their egg drop. Each contraption was then tested by being dropped from the south gym windows. Students were required to write about how energy was transferred during the drop and why he/she selected the materials for the drop.

THE REVIEW TIMES - Wednesday, March 13, 2013
St. Wendelin student sees success in spelling bee

By ALLISON WINGATE , Staff Writer

Patrick Castillo may be standing alone on the stage, but inside his head he's reading closed captioning from a television screen.

The St. Wendelin Catholic School seventh-grader credits his visual learning style for improving his spelling skills, which weren't always as top-notch as they are now.

"When I would get bored, I would look at the words they were saying on the screen and just spell them for the fun of it," Castillo described.

"Now, every time I see a word I can spell it because I remember it. I have a photographic memory or something like that."

When he encounters words unfamiliar to him, Castillo said he envisions a karaoke screen.

"You know how when you do karaoke, when you see the words they highlight? In my head, when I spell a word the letters highlight in my head," he said.

Despite being so good at it, Castillo described a love-hate relationship with spelling and the studying required to compete in spelling bees.

"To be honest, there are times when I really like it but there are times when I wish I wasn't good at it," he said. "It puts a lot of pressure on me."

In preparation for the spelling bee, Castillo said he's been studying from a list of approved words. After a study session, he said his father will quiz him.

Castillo, 13, of Fostoria, is the son of Alan Domingo and Dr. Carolyn Garcia, MD. The family relocated to Fostoria from Chicago seven years ago.

Since relocating here, Domingo says his son has excelled in school. The proud father boasted about his son winning school spelling bees when he was in third-, fourth- and sixth-grade.

His skills will be put to the test Thursday, as he competes in the Blade Northwest Ohio Championship Spelling Bee at Owens Community College in Perrysburg Township. The spelling bee will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Castillo advanced to the regional competition Feb. 24, after winning the Seneca-Wyandot Local Spelling Bee, hosted at Tiffin Middle School. He spelled "unforeseeable," "pumpernickel" and "gordita" correctly to advance.

Other grade 5-8 students who advanced to the regional bee include Pranav Parsi, of Tiffin Middle School; Laila Gernert of Carey Middle School; and Anne Rannigan of Noble Elementary School.

The winner of the Blade bee will represent northwest Ohio in the Scripps National Spelling Bee from May 28-30 in Washington, D.C.

Castillo follows in the footsteps of St. Wendelin Catholic School eighth-grader Spencer Hipsher, of Arcadia, who advanced to the Scripps spelling bee in May 2012.

He said Hipsher has been providing him some tips and hints about performing well at the competition he won last year.

When he's not practicing spelling, Castillo performs in the percussion section of the high school marching band, plays basketball, football and track and has a black belt in karate.

Students experience Papal Conclave
Students received a taste of what happened in the Papal Conclave and made aware of this historical event in the life of the church. This was done through much research, prayer and preparation.

For the past week every classroom was praying for a portion of the world’s Cardinals. Prayer signs were prepared by the sophomore class to ensure that every cardinal was prayed for each day of the Papal Conference and Papal Conclave.

Upon the announcement of the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, sophomore students researched in depth “Everything you need to know about the Papal office of Pope”: Why did Pope Benedict XVI resign?, What is the process for a Conclave?, What is the Pope’s job description?, as well as many other papal facts. Sophomores shared the information from their research by designing displays that are displayed in the gathering space at St. Wendelin Catholic Church for the parishioners. A similar display was also arranged in the lobby. Students in grades K-12 have been taking turns coming down to the lobby and with the information in the display they are participating in a scavenger hunt through the posters to learn about the process that is used to elect a new pope.

At the conclusion of the papal display the students, staff and St. Wendelin Catholic Church parishioners were invited to participate in a contest where they were asked to guess a name the new Pope might select.

The schedule of the day is in the school lobby, as if you were following the cardinals to each event. The school was divided into sections of the Vatican where the cardinals were meeting. The objective was to allow students to enjoy a visual representation of the Vatican and what was occurring.

Once the world saw the white smoke emanating from the Conclave, St. Wendelin students and staff gathered in the large gym to witness the historic event. Upon entering the gym, all experienced the white smoke of the Conclave, as a fog machine was used to signify the white smoke and then watched the event live on TV.

The hope of St. Wendelin Catholic School was to facilitate an experience of the universal church and to teach by experience how powerful an influence prayer can be. By focusing not on the politics of a conclave, but by prayer and study, is how a decision would be achieved.

We hoped to create positive memories of this historic event by trying to recreate as much as possible the environment of the Vatican and Conclave.

WIND TURBINE CONTEST

FOSTORIA FOCUS - March 08, 2013

St. Wendelin students experiment with wind turbine blade designs

By ALEX BOROFF, Focus Reporter

St. Wendelin students found their answers blowin’ in the wind Tuesday.

Students in Sue Tiell’s sixth-grade class tested their own wind turbine blade designs Tuesday in order to better understand the science behind wind power.

Teams of five students each built their own wind turbine, creating blades out of old signs made out of corrugated cardboard. Groups were required to have at least three blades on each of their wind turbines.

“We did this project, talked about the blades, lift, tension — all of that,” Tiell said.

Assisting with the project was St. Wendelin science teacher Ron Bowerman, who set up a small wind tunnel and used box fans to turn the turbine blades. Last fall, Bowerman trained at a workshop put on by KidWind, an organization that promotes alternative-energy education.

The students’ wind turbines were hooked up to a computer that measured the energy output, graphing the amperage, voltage and wattage of the devices.

Students’ goals were to design turbines to be as energy efficient and functional as possible.

“Talk with Mike & Brian”

Back by popular demand, Talk with Mike and Brian; Keeping St. Wendelin in the Know, will begin at 7PM, February 21 in the school cafeteria. The main topic of discussion will be Registration. Brian will be introducing the new registration and tuition guidelines for the 2013-14 academic year. He will highlight the tuition adjustments for 2013-14, money saving initiatives within the tuition and registration process as well as new incentives to reward current families for bringing new students into our St. Wendelin family. Brian will conclude by giving an update on the technology and global education initiative, speak about communication and turn it over to Mike Amlin. Mike will address several academic topics.

Registration 2013-14 Information

Registration will officially kick-off with the dissemination of the Registration and Tuition Guideline Booklets at the February 21, talk at 7PM. The first registrations will be held at St. Wendelin Parish after the 4:30PM Mass on February 23 and after the 9AM and 11AM Masses on February 24. A final registration will be held in the SW school cafeteria, Monday, Feb. 25.

K of C Scholarship Recipient

The Ohio Knights of Columbus has announced their scholarship winners. Freshman, Cameron Hunter has been selected to receive one of the many scholarships provided by the Ohio K of C.

The scholarship is available for Catholic students (grades nine through twelve) attending Catholic High Schools in Ohio. This is the seventeenth consecutive year that the Knights of Columbus Scholarships have been awarded. More than $480,000 has been awarded during that period.

To be considered for the scholarship, students must submit an essay. Other considerations include financial need, grade point average, prior scholastic honors, school extracurricular activities, church involvement and community involvement.

Cameron was presented the award after a school Mass on February 7.

January 27, 2013 – Fostoria Focus

St. Wendelin plane project to aid in humanitarian efforts
By Alex Boroff, Focus Reporter

The Challenger II airplane took off from the Fostoria Municipal Airport last Tuesday — but it didn’t go airborne.
Rather, the plane that St. Wendelin students began building nearly four years ago and completed last summer was strapped onto a flatbed trailer pulled by a pickup truck on its way to St. Louis, Mo., the headquarters of Wings of Hope, a two-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee and the largest volunteer charity in the Midwest.
St. Wendelin science teacher Ron Bowerman, Wings of Hope road crew member Don Buxbaum, St. Wendelin 7th grade student Quinton Taylor, and Roppe maintenance workers Greg Beach and Matt Shoemaker helped load the Challenger II onto the trailer in the Roppe Hangar where the aircraft was housed. From there, Buxbaum drove the plane nearly 500 miles to St. Louis. After that, the plan is for Wings of Hope volunteers to transport the plane to Argentina where it will be used by Wings of Hope for humanitarian work.
Students from multiple grade levels had been working on the Challenger II since 2009. Bowerman used the project as a means of teaching students real-life applications of science, particularly engineering and physics.
Bowerman had received a $10,000 Toyota TAPESTRY grant to purchase the aircraft, which he bought at a significantly reduced rate from Quad City Ultralight Aircraft Co. Over the course of the project, Bowerman and his students had received various monetary and in-kind donations from individuals and businesses in the area.
Initially, Bowerman had planned to turn the plane over to the Kenya Wildlife Service via the Lindbergh Foundation, but the plan fell through due to various reasons.
That’s when Bowerman found out about Wings of Hope, an organization that uses air transportation to help with humanitarian efforts in the United States and throughout the world.
“On New Year’s Day I called the [Wings of Hope] CEO. The CEO was in — he said, ‘Yes, we’d love to have the aircraft,’” Bowerman said.
“God doesn’t close a door without opening a window.”
Wings of Hope uses airplanes to deliver food, medical supplies and other items to people in need in 40 countries throughout the world, focusing on regions where difficult-to-traverse terrain and poor roadways make travel by automobile difficult. The organization has more than 3,000 volunteers and over 150 bases worldwide. Along with delivering supplies, Wings of Hope volunteers assess the needs of the people they serve, helping them to set up plans to become self-sustaining.
Wings of Hope volunteers also work in the United States. The organization operates a free Medical Relief and Air Transport Program that provides air ambulances that are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
These air ambulances are used to transport uninsured or underinsured people, and are frequently used to help patients who require multiple therapeutic treatments as well as children who require multiple surgeries to correct birth defects.
For more information about Wings of Hope, visit www.wings-of-hope.org

January 20, 2013 – Fostoria Focus

SW robotics program receives Geary Foundation grant
By Alex Boroff, Focus Reporter

The robotics program at St. Wendelin is set to expand, thanks to a large grant received by the school.
St. Wendelin Catholic School was awarded a $5,000 grant Wednesday from the Henry Geary Memorial Foundation managed by KeyBank.
The grant will be used to greatly expand the relatively new robotics program, which started during the 2011-2012 school year for sixth and seventh grade students.
“This will help take us to the next level of robots,” said St. Wendelin science teacher Ron Bowerman, who heads the program.
The program started with a purchase of a single Lego Mindstorms kit by then-principal Angela Joseph, after Bowerman asked for the kit for use in his classes during the 2011-2012 school year.
The Mindstorms kit came with motors, wheels, touch sensors and other sensors for students to use in building their own Lego robots. Each kit comes with an NXT brick, a device that students can plug into a computer to program to carry out simple tasks.
From this one kit, Bowerman started the robotics program at the school for sixth and seventh grade students, who work on building and programming robots during their lunch hour on different days throughout the week. With the gradual addition of a total of four more kits, Bowerman has been able to expand the program to include students in grades six through twelve.
“This all started with one robot,” Bowerman said.
The additional funds for the program from the Geary Foundation grant will allow for the purchase of Tetrix robotics kits, metal robots that can be used in conjunction with Lego Mindstorms and are used in robot competitions. Some of the funds will also be used to purchase RobotC software, which is a programming language used to program and control robots. RobotC is the industry standard, noted St. Wendelin math teacher Eric Perkins.
Bowerman added that a portion of the grant will be used to purchase another Mindstorms kit, powerpacks, and instructional software. The additional kit will come in handy, as more students continue to take the robotics courses at St. Wendelin.
“I love that we’re able to build these machines that can do such amazing things,” said eighth grade student Maco Gonzalez.
“You can make a robot do so many different, complex tasks,” added seventh grade student Quinton Taylor.
“I like that we learn how to operate it and it’s fun,” noted sixth grade student Hannah Burns.
St. Wendelin sixth grade teacher Susan Tiell added that students learn cooperation through the robotics program, since they work in groups to program their machines.
“They help each other,” Tiell said. “That’s what I really like is the team approach to it — no one feels left out.”

January 24, 2013 – Review Times

SW students heading to DC
By ALEX ASPACHER, STAFF WRITER

St. Wendelin students, staff and parishioners will join with thousands of others during the March for Life Friday in Washington D.C.
Father Matt Rader said 32 eighth-graders and 16 high-school students will be joined by 14 chaperones, who will travel by charter bus to the capital on Friday and return Sunday.
While sight-seeing will also be on the agenda, Rader said this year's march, in conjunction with the 40th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, will give students an opportunity to see faith being put into action in support of a cause.
"The purpose of the trip is to be able to allow these younger students to experience this cause and get them enthusiastic for something -- to show them that faith can be vibrant, and it's not just about sitting in the classroom and learning."
Rader reported that although overall attendance of the march has fallen in recent years, as many as 300,000 are expected for the anniversary of the Supreme Court decision.
Rader said the parish did not send a contingent to the march last year, but that tradition at St. Wendelin has been to send a group of students, staff and church members every two years.
Following the march from the National Mall to the Supreme Court building, students will attend a rally with thousands of other youth at George Mason University in Arlington, Va., that will feature popular Catholic recording artist Matt Maher.
Additional items on the agenda include tours on the National Mall and stops at Arlington National Cemetery and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, as well as the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Rader said the visit to the holocaust museum is intended to remind students that "we can overcome evil and triumph over something that is not right, and that this is what happens when people stand still and remain silent."
"While the trip will certainly be educational, the primary purpose is a pilgrimage, a spiritual journey," he said.

BBQ Chicken Dinner

The local Fostoria restaurant and winner of the Ohio State Fair Rib contest, Dell’s Restaurant, will feature their BBQ chicken dinner, complete with two sides as part of the Mohawk Club’s fundraiser. Homemade desserts as well as a drink will also be provided.

The dinner will be Sunday, Feb. 10 from 11AM-2PM in conjunction with the SWCS Open House. Dinner will be served in the school cafeteria or patrons may enjoy carry out as well as drive-up carry out being available through the gym doors located in the North parking lot.

Tickets are $8.00 each and can be purchased through any student/athlete, at the SWCS office located at 533 North Countyline St. (419-435-8144) or at Dell’s Restaurant located at 224 S. Main St., Fostoria, Ohio. Deadline to purchase tickets is Tuesday, Feb. 5. Limited walk-in orders will be available.

Proceeds from the dinner will benefit SWCS athletics.

SAVE THE DATE

COME TO SWCS OPEN HOUSE
Sunday, February 10, Noon-2:30PM

See how an exceptional Catholic education can be affordable!

• Meet Teachers • See iPads in action • Watch our robots being programmed

Meet families like yours, see what they are saying about SWCS and hear them discuss:

• Faith Life • Academics • Family Atmosphere • Affordability

Giving to Others

The SWCHS Chapter of National Honor Society once again coordinated a major giving project involving students, staff, parishioners and friends during the Christmas season. It began with a food drive prior to Thanksgiving with boxes and boxes of canned food items delivered to En Camino. Hats, mittens, socks and scarves were collected and 262 items for keeping warm in our winter weather were delivered to En Camino in early December. This year En Camino and St. Vincent DePaul Society asked NHS to facilitate efforts to collect toiletry items and cleaning supplies for 19 families, and toys and clothing items for 29 children. With monies donated from the Catholic Ladies of Columbia, the Rosary Altar Society and funds received from distribution of religious calendars donated by Hoening Funeral home, the NHS was able to purchase items not donated and still provide St. Vincent DePaul Society with $400 to assist those in need. It was definitely a “team effort” as reported by Caring for Kids faculty coordinator, Mrs. Cindy Taylor, and “humbling to see so much donated by our students, their families, our staff, parishioners and friends of SWCS.”

Students Develop New Appetizer

Mr. Billy Reese, Executive Chef at the very successful Fostoria restaurant, KemoSabes Roadhouse Grill, has been the instructor for the Foods class at SWCS. Mr. Reese received his degree in Culinary Arts from Hocking College in Nelsonville, Ohio. Mr. Reese’s philosophy for his students is to engage them is such a way that they receive the basic knowledge one would learn in a culinary school and be able to be successful in a restaurant.

The Foods class is comprised of seniors and is a one semester course. The last project of the semester was to have each group develop a concept for an appetizer, and create a recipe. Groups were able to test and retest their ideas until they were confident with their creations. The groups then presented their appetizers for judging. Criteria for judging were plate presentation, creativity, and taste. The winning appetizer will be incorporated into the KemoSabe Roadhouse Grill menu as part of the Chuck Wagon menu. The Chuck Wagon menu is a revolving menu which highlights various dishes/regions/themes each month.

The winning dish was an Italian chicken and cheese calzone with chicken and three cheeses. The winning design group consisted of SWCS seniors Maddie Hoffman, Adrienne Emerine Shelby, Emerine and Colleen Fondessy. The dish appears on the menu as a “Roasted Chicken White Pizza”.

Science Dept. Receives Grant

St. Wendelin Catholic School has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Henry Geary Memorial Foundation, managed by KeyBank. The award will be used to further develop the Robotics program in the SWCS Science Department.

Ms. Jane Frankart of Key Bank presented a check to Mr. Eric Perkins, Mr. Mike Amlin, Principal, and Mr. Brian Shaver, Director of Parish and School on January 16.

With growth in the S.T.E.M.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and Medicine) curriculum, it is necessary to provide students a learning experience with the state-of-the-art programs. Department Chair, Mr. Ron Bowerman, has researched the Lego @ Mindstorms @ Education base with TETRIX @ and found it to be the best ‘next step’ in the expansion of St. Wendelin’s Robotics program. The program provides curriculum software for classroom use, as well as a variety of hands-on projects, including a combination of programming lessons for ROBOTC and engineering challenges.

With the addition of the TETRIX @ Education Base Set and Robotc @ 3.0 software, students in grades 6 through 12 will improve their skills in interpreting and analyzing data readings, project management and time management, interactive testing and problem-solving strategies, evaluating design alternatives based on analysis, and communicating results through presentations.

This innovative program focuses on getting students to use relevant scientific software and tools, designing and building advanced robots that can complete simple tasks. The nearly unlimited number of possibilities offers the students flexibility, the ability to work independently or in groups. The TETRIX @ Education Base Set and Robotc @ 3.0 software correlates to state and national standards for S.T.E.M.M. focused education.

Robotics is not new to SWCS; students have been studying the fundamentals of programming and designing robots for the past two years. The implementation and oversight of the TETRIX @ Education Base Set and Robotc @ 3.0 programs will be the responsibility of Mr. Ron Bowerman.

Spelling Bee Winners Advance

Congratulations to all the students who participated in this year’s Spelling Bee. The Champion and 1st runner up in grades 5, 6, 7, and 8 will go on to compete in the Seneca/Wyandot County Spelling Bee at the end of this month.

The winners of the 2012-2013 Spelling Bee are:

GRADE 3/4 – Champion Morgan Amlin, 1st runner up Isela Reyes, 2nd runner up Grace Dohanyos

GRADE 5/6 – Champion Grace Dryfuse, 1st runner up Patrick Pariseau, 2nd runner up Anna Bowman

GRADE 7/8 – Champion Patrick Castillo, 1st runner up Kayla Hunter, 2nd runner up Natalie Frankart

WRESTLERS PLACE AT WHITMER

With an already small squad of five St. Wendelin was unfortunately only able to send two lonely grapplers to the Whitmer Wrestling Tournament on December 8. Veteran Cole Williams ’14 and Rookie Rob Park’15 represented their school proudly as they mixed it up on the mats. Williams chiseled through his competition in the 126 weight class. He put his veteran wisdom and technique to work as he won two of his three matches with 2 nd period pins and one with a close decision of 3-2. Park, on the other hand, took a different path to the championship round in the 182 weight class. Park suffered a first round defeat by being pinned in the second period. With his brute strength and determination he mustered up the courage and plowed his way through the under bracket earning his way into the 3rd and 4th place championship match with two pins in the first period and finally winning 3rd place with a pin in the 2nd period. Both participants wrestled with heart and integrity and made their families, coaches and alma mater proud.

ESSAY CONTEST

St. Wendelin Catholic School eighth grader, Lauren Meyers, was awarded third place in the Owens Community College International Essay Contest. The essay contest was sponsored by the Owens Community College Office of International Programs.

Students were asked to write a maximum three page essay based on their personal beliefs and experiences and had four questions in which to choose. Lauren chose to respond to the question “If world history is no longer a required class for high school graduation, what effects would this decision have on middle school students as they develop their world view?” Her essay was thoughtful and insightful. Lauren concluded her essay by stating “World history helps to give students of today the opportunity to understand what is happening around them, it arouses the leader within us, and lastly, it teaches us other skills essential to learning.”

As a third place winner, Lauren received a $50 iTunes gift card and was invited to read her essay at an event at Owens Community College celebrating International Education Week.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2013

SW quizzers play the 'Brain Game'

By ALEX ASPACHER, Review Times Staff Writer

Four St. Wendelin Catholic School students will have the opportunity to strut their smarts tonight as members of the school's quiz bowl team take on WBGU-TV's "BGSU Brain Game."

Whichever team can claim the championship in May by winning the single-elimination tournament will win a one-year scholarship to Bowling Green State University for each participant. Competitions are taped at the television studio in Bowling Green and will air on WBGU at a later date.

St. Wendelin coach Sister Elayne Bockey said her squad is made up of 8-9 members from each of the junior and senior classes, as well as several freshmen and sophomores. Just four of the 22 members will travel to Bowling Green due to conflicts with other extracurricular activities, but Bockey said she still likes St. Wendelin's chances to advance in the tournament.

Representing the school will be seniors Anthony Halstead and Catrina Lang, and juniors Edie Mowrey and Elizabeth Weaver.

Bockey, who has managed the quiz bowl team for eight years, said her students have gotten more out of individual studying lately rather than group practices.

"Everything is about those students being knowledgeable in lots of fields and how motivated they are to absorb information," she said.

"It's a joy to work with quick-thinking students who are competitive, who will go to an event like that and represent the school, plus be responsible for the class work they'll be missing," Bockey said.

St. Wendelin will open against Toledo Technology Academy. If they claim a victory, students will face the winner of a match between Celina and Bowling Green high schools.

Fostoria High School competed in the Brain Game on Nov. 15, defeating Lima Senior High School Progressive Academy 250-205 before moving on to beat Seneca East High School 230-220. FHS has its next BGSU match slated for April 4, according to club adviser Sarah Green.

Just one day after its contingent competes in the Brain Game, the St. Wendelin team will join 16 others in Tiffin for a Seneca/Wyandot/Put-in-Bay/Sandusky-Area League match.

Bockey said St. Wendelin has a 6-3 record so far this year.

Caring for Kids Project - Christmas 2012

SWCS will once again sponsor our annual Caring for Kids Program. Through this program, facilitated by the St. Wendelin chapter of National Honor Society, our school will be helping Fostoria area families through En Camino and St. Vincent DePaul create a Christmas they might not have without our help.

Every student in grades K-12 is being asked to help in preparing this holiday gift for our adopted families by providing food items, toiletry items and cleaning supplies. Any item(s) that you would like to donate would be happily accepted for this project!

We will also have a giving tree, displayed in the lobby with ornaments asking for toys for the children in our adopted families. If your family is able to take a star off the tree and bring it back with the requested donated toy it would be very helpful to the success of the program. Items do not need to be wrapped.

Students may begin bringing in their donations as soon as possible. Delivery to our adopted families will be made Friday, December 14. Thank you for your kind generosity this holiday season!

RIGHT TO READ WEEK

Right To Read Week kicks off on November 19 and runs through November 30. The theme: “Fairy Tales Come To Life,” will be carried out throughout these two weeks by children reading Fairy Tales in their classrooms and in the Library. Children in grades 3-6 were asked to read a Fairy Tale at home and then write about the lesson to be learned from that Fairy Tale. The Children in grades K-2 will also be asked to read a Fairy Tale at home and then draw a picture of their Fairy Tale.

Throughout Right To Read Week, children will hear lots of Fairy Tales and they will have a chance to make snacks that match their Fairy Tale stories.

The week started with an author visit from Nick Rokicki and Joe Kelley who wrote the book, Pete The Popcorn. Nick is from Toledo St. Catherine’s. The book talks to children about bullying and encourages children to help each other. The authors presented to grades K-4 on November 19.

On Thursday, Nov. 29, the Treehouse Troupe from BGSU will be presenting a play called The Just So Stories. They are timeless tales about several different books. A special “dress-up” day will be on Thursday, Nov. 29, and children may dress up as their favorite Fairy Tale character.

Friday, Nov. 30, each class (grades K-6) will perform a type of Fairy Tale or play that their class has decided on doing. These plays will begin at 12:30PM in the South gym. Parents are encouraged to come to watch their children act. Who knows, we may find lots of talent in our school!

WTOL highlights SWCS iPad Integration

Click on the Picture to watch the WTOL News Report

FOSTORIA, OH (Toledo News Now) - Thanks to generous donations, freshman at St. Wendlin High School in Fostoria are using iPads in the classroom.

"It's kinda fun because it holds information but it's also a learning tool," said student Alexis Yates.

"There's the idea that this technology is stuff the kids are already using and familiar with and then obviously they have the focus on education and real life applications," said Principal Michael Amlin.

This is the first year the freshmen are using the iPads.

Earlier this year they had a student who was at home for a few days recovering from surgery. The two way camera on the iPad was used so the student could still connect with the teacher.

"It was like she was actually present in class. She heard all the notes. She was able to ask questions, she was able to respond to questions from the teacher," said Amlin.

Amlin said the school recognized that this is the kind of technology that is being used in the real world. The school wants students to not only be comfortable using it, but know how to use it to excel.

8^th Grade Visitation

Prospective eighth grade students from St. Michael the Archangel School, Findlay; and Our Lady of Consolation School, Carey, will be visiting St. Wendelin Catholic School on Wednesday, Nov. 14 from 8:30-10:15 am. Students and staff have been working very hard to prepare a warm and spirited environment for the occasion. The visitation format will include a 5-period class schedule where visitors have the opportunity to meet with teachers and current students.

The highlight of the visitation will be a special performance from the SWCS Choir and the newly formed Chamber Choir, “Colla Voce”. Our guests will be invited to dance, pray, and participate with our band and cheerleaders as we demonstrate why our school should be a part of their future. This is also a wonderful time for our own students to have a little fun as well.

St. Wendelin student ambassadors will be planning and helping with the day. As Catholic school educators, we believe those entrusted to us are not only students, but children of God. Mr. Amlin, Principal, will share with the visitors that St. Wendelin Catholic School is here for those looking for an alternative to public schools, and most importantly, a strong Catholic education and family environment.

November 02, 2012

St. Wendelin robotics class takes factory tour

By Alex Boroff, Focus Reporter

FINDLAY — Many high school students may lament “When will I need this?” asking when they will need the material learned in their courses.

But St. Wendelin science teacher Ron Bowerman showed his students just how their knowledge will come in handy in the working world during a recent trip to Cascade Corporation in Findlay. High school students in his robotics class toured the plant Monday to see the practical uses of robots in the working world.

Cascade Corporation manufactures forks for forklifts. Chris Halstead, maintenance technician at Cascade, led the tour. He took the class through the steps the plant takes to make forks, showing the class the process from start to finish with metal bars being cut, shaped, treated, and painted. Many of these processes are automated and require the use of robots that must be programmed to carry out tasks — something the robotics students are doing now in the classroom.

“It’s good for them to see how what they’ve learned in the classroom can be used,” Halstead said.

Students in Bowerman’s high school robotics class includes juniors Ziheng Jiang, Shida Ma, Austin Turner, and Suaibo Zhang and senior Rodney Park, all of whom took part in the tour.

The upper-level robotics class is a new addition to the St. Wendelin curriculum this year. Bowerman began a robotics class for sixth-grade and seventh-grade students last year. Students used Lego Mindstorms, a line of Lego products that incorporates touch sensors, servo motors, wheels and other parts that students can program to do various tasks. Kits include an NXT brick, which students can program to give their robots instructions to carry out different tasks.

One of the tasks students must program their robots to do, for example, is a “close shave,” in which a wheeled robot is programmed to roll up as close as possible to a Lego character without tipping it over.

Bowerman’s high school robotics course is covering much of the same material as his middle school course, since the school acquired the kits only recently, and the high school students did not have a chance to work with robotics when they were in middle school.

During their factory tour, students saw large-scale versions of the simpler robots they could build with Mindstorms kits. Halstead demonstrated how operators can manipulate and program a robotic arm to move parts and do other jobs.

Bowerman later quizzed the students on what they had seen at Cascade. “They enjoyed the field trip,” Bowerman said. “They appreciated the tour.”

Bowerman plans on returning this year to the Institute of Navigation’s Mini-Urban Challenge, an annual robotics competition at Wright State University, after taking a high school team last year to the competition, in which students were asked to program a robot to navigate a small cityscape. The team ranked 4th place at the event.

The Appreciation of Life (An Evening of Short One Acts Plays)

The students of the St. Wendelin Catholic School Drama Club will present a series of one act plays pertaining to the journey of life from birth, to adolescence, to death. Each play is very small and involves two people. This production will be a departure from plays from recent years in both content and presentation.

The plays will be performed on Friday, Nov. 2 at 8PM, Saturday, Nov. 3 at 2PM and 7PM. Admission is $4.00 for general audience. St. Wendelin students and staff receive free admission.

SPIRIT WEEK 2012 BEGINS… Theme is “The Oscars”

►Sunday, Oct. 7 - DODGE BALL (Gr. 7-8) @ 1:30PM (North Gym) / Sign-in starts at 1:15PM in the lobby.

POWDER PUFF (Gr. 9-12) @ 3-5:30PM on the practice field

1) Sophomores/Seniors
2) Juniors/Freshmen
3) Consolation Game
4) Final Game

DRESS & GUIDELINES

►All clothing should be school appropriate. Shorts must be proper length or layered. No tight, low-cut, sleeveless shirts or revealing clothing is permitted. No inappropriate writing allowed. Anyone not clearly dressing to the theme of the day will be asked to change into regular dress code. If unsure, bring regular clothes.

►Monday, Oct. 8 – NO SCHOOL

►Tuesday, Oct. 9
TWIN/NERD DAY (Gr. 7-12): Go Volleyball! “Outsmart the Tigers” - Dress as your favorite nerd or grab a partner & dress as twins.

PRESENTATION OF HOMECOM-ING COURT King/Queen Speeches @ 11:35AM - North gym Homeroom Door Decorating begins

►Wednesday, Oct. 10
GENERATION DAY (Gr. 7-12): Go Golf Team! “Tee off with wisdom” - All attire needs to be Christian focused!

* 7th/8th - babies in pajamas (no diapers)
* 9th - toddlers
* 10th - teenagers
* 11th - adults (workday clothing)
* 12th - senior citizen

►Thursday, Oct. 11
CHRISTMAS IN OCTOBER (Gr. 7-12): Go Cross Country Team! “All we want for Christmas is a PR (personal record)” - Wear your favorite ugly Christmas sweater or dress.

COLOR DAY (K-6)

* Kindergarten - Pink
* 1st – Yellow
* 2nd - Purple
* 3rd - Red
* 4th – Orange
* 5th – Blue
* 6th - Green

►Friday, Oct. 12 - BLACK & GOLD/SPIRIT DAY
(K-12): Go Band, Cheer-leaders & Football Team!

Senior Composite Pictures taken during homeroom. Seniors will change into dress clothes after lunch.

PEP RALLY (Gr. 7-12) @ 1:30PM in the North gym
HOMECOMING DANCE (Gr. 9-12) @ 8-11PM in the South gym

►Saturday, Oct. 13 - HOMECOMING GAME: Festivities begin 6:15PM @ Fostoria Municipal Stadium, Game @ 7PM

A drive to fill a need

By ALEX ASPACHER , STAFF WRITER
FOSTORIA REVIEW TIMES – September 28, 2012

Those left hungry during this year's winter holidays will have access to extra food from Pantry Plus of Seneca County thanks to the efforts of a local student working to become an Eagle Scout.

In addition to earning 10 new merit badges, Davy Smith, a 17-year-old senior at St. Wendelin Catholic School, is required to organize a service project to benefit the local community. Proposals are supposed to show leadership and organizational skills. "Basically that you can run a project," Smith said.

While many other scouts choose some form of construction, Smith said he was compelled to help those in need during the holidays.

"When I was trying to come up with ideas, I had been told that around the Thanksgiving/Christmas time of year, they weren't getting as much food as they needed," Smith said. "So I thought a second food drive would be a good idea for this time of the year.

"There are plenty of construction projects around here, but I felt the food drive is something that's more needed right now."

He sought help from Pantry Plus, which offered to sponsor his "Food for Fostoria" collection drive to supplement its supply stock for the winter. Smith decided to set up collection points throughout Fostoria, mostly at churches and businesses, to give people ample opportunity to donate.

Stacy LaFountaine, vice-chair of Pantry Plus of Seneca County, said she has partnered with scouts like Davy for years through the Scouting for Food program and was happy to work with him to prepare his collection project for the holidays. She confirmed that demand has already gone up as the weather has gotten colder and families begin to realize their income will be increasingly needed for things like electricity and heating bills.

Some of what Davy brings in will be used to assemble Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets for those who can't afford the traditional food to celebrate the holidays. Thanksgiving baskets, for example, will contain turkey, dressing, potatoes, vegetables, dinner rolls and pie, LaFountaine said. An announcement will follow with information on how to apply for a Thanksgiving or Christmas basket, as eligibility is based on income.

Smith's "Food for Fostoria" collection drive was slated to kick off Saturday at St. Wendelin's football game, but the game was canceled due to a shortage of players. Due to the cancellation, Smith is working to schedule another similar event. In the meantime, anyone looking to donate may drop off non-perishable or canned food at more than a dozen locations throughout the city. Monetary donations are also accepted and, along with large amounts of food, should be taken or mailed to Pantry Plus, 115 S. Main St., Fostoria, OH 44830.

Food may be dropped off in the boxes at the following locations: American Legion, Autolite, Bookshelf II & More, the Fostoria Fire and Police departments, First Federal Bank, ProMedica Fostoria Community Hospital, Grace United Church of Christ, Great Scot, Hope Lutheran Church, both KeyBank locations, Kmart, Knights of Columbus, Seneca Lanes, Southeast Financial Credit Union, St. Wendelin Catholic School and Church, Wesley United Methodist Church, and Geary Family YMCA.

Rock Solid Spiritually

Sr. Elayne Bockey celebrates Golden Jubilee Read More

FOSTORIA FOCUS - August 31, 2012

READY TO GO - St. Wendelin science teacher Ron Bowerman (third from right) stands with students and volunteers at the open house for the Archangel ultralight airplane built as a school project. Photo provided to the Focus

A final look at Archangel

By John Montgomery
Focus Reporter

For all intents and purposes, it is done.

Donations, man hours and tinkering have turned an engine, propeller, all kinds of technical gear, fuselage and wings into a two-seat, black and yellow ultralight airplane.All that remains now are test flights and shipping, and the plane will find its new home in Kenya.

“A big sigh. It’s been a long haul,” St. Wendelin science teacher Ron Bowerman said.
“It’s great that it’s done,” he said. “It’s been a great experience.”

That experience was shared during an open house Aug. 26 at Fostoria Metropolitan Airport, where Bowerman, students past and present and community volunteers showcased the Challenger II aircraft, dubbed “ Archangel.”

The construction took more than four years, but the project actually got its start nearly a decade ago.
Bowerman and his wife, Jane, visited several sites around the state in 2003 as part of Ohio’s bicentennial when they made a stop in Dayton for an air show.

Among the exhibitors was the Wright Brothers Aeroplane Co. which had a tent with replicas of Wright kites. Bowerman saw that the kites were built by students and talked with man who was involved with the group. Bowerman learned the man was a teacher whose students built the ribs used in the wings of the kites.

When Bowerman learned officials were getting ready to build a replica of the 1905 Wright Flyer, he arranged for St. Wendelin students to build a dozen wing ribs for it while he also built a catapult launch tower for the flyer.

His students were building ribs for the 1909 Wright Flyer in 2007 when a bigger project came around: A plane for use by a community of Masai in the mountains of Kenya. Nick Engler, a friend of Bowerman who is the director of the Wright Brothers Aeroplane Co., had been contacted by a group of Seventh-Day Adventists who were trying to get an airplane for the Masai.

At about that same time, Boston public television station WBGH contacted the Wright Brothers Aeroplane Co. and First To Fly Foundation about a planned re-enactment of the 1911 Vin Fiz flight.
Bowerman’s students helped build wing ribs for the Vin Fiz and plans called for the plane the school was going to build to serve as a chase plane for the re-enactment flight before heading to Africa.

St. Wendelin’s portion of the project got a big boost in the spring of 2009 when Bowerman received a $10,000 competitive Toyota TAPESTRY grant. Originally, the grant would just buy the airframe — no wheels, no brakes, no engine, no covering, just the metal frame. However the airplane company Bowerman was working with went out of business and he had to begin another search for an airplane
He soon found Quad City Ultralight and company officials agreed to sell him a Challenger II spec fuselage/airframe for half price. A spec fuselage is used by a company to make sure its parts manufacturers make everything the correct size and shape.

Other donations and discounts followed, as individuals and companies — local, Ohio, national and international — helped out. The national economic downturn and a family emergency illness for those involved with the re-enactment flight forced the Vin Fiz plans to change, but the building of the Archangel continued.

“The community support has been huge. There’s a lot of bad press that Fostoria gets,” Bowerman said.
“That’s awesome to see the support,” he said.

Construction concluded earlier this year and test flights began in early August, with an open house held at Fostoria Metropolitan Airport on Aug. 26, complete with a proclamation from Mayor Eric Keckler.
The plane will be shipped to the Kenya Wildlife Service for conservation work once test flights end.

Those who helped

Individuals and companies from Fostoria
• Mike Schroeter: Flight simulator software
• The Kinn family: Funds
• Mike Kramb, Harry Bott and Adam Flick: Donation of engineering expertise and a winter hangar space
• Mike Emerine: Painted the plane
• Al and Lis Compaction: Free facilities usage for Challenger II construction and Vin Fiz rib building
• Dr. Steven and Cindy Geroski: Funds for Challenger II wing gap cover
• Larry Ball from McDonald’s Corp.: $5,000 to cover engine, glass window and other parts
• Advanced Auto Parts: Battery
• Moe’s Body Shop: Funds for aircraft paint
• Aviation Inc.: Funds
• City of Fostoria: Hangar space
• Roppe Corp.: Use of hangar for final assembly

Other individuals and companies

• Toyota Motor Co. Toyota: $10,000 Tapestry grant
• Quad City Aircraft: Plane and parts half price, and in-kind
• Vernier Co.: Data collection software and devices
• Aircraft Spruce: Customer discount status
• Streaker Tractor: Prop money donation
• Tech Polyfiber: In-kind finishing material for the Vin Fiz
• Laborie Enterprises LLC: Reduced cost for Vin Fiz wood preparation
• First To Fly board members Jeff Walther, Joe McDaniel and Lester Garber: Funds
• Gary and Kathleen Lutke: Deluxe heavy duty starter
• GPL Electric: Reduced price for a 503 Rotax Engine
• BRS Aerospace: $5,000 ballistic parachute
• The Lindbergh Foundation: Kenya, Africa connections
• Aerosports: Donation of instrument panel
• Dick’s Auto Supply: Paint
• Aviation Turbulence of Canada: Plane interior
• Bob Robertson of Alberta, Canada:Throttle quadrant price reduction
• Marathon Oil: AeroShell case of oil

CATHOLIC CHRONICLE - August 30, 2012

Student-built airplane completes test flights

FOSTORIA —An airplane built by students at Fostoria St. Wendelin will soon be shipped overseas to by used by the Kenya Wildlife Service in monitoring elephant populations.

St. Wendelin students and adult volunteers who worked on the airplane are pictured at Fostoria Municipal Airport with teacher Ron Bowerman.
(Photo courtesy of Ron Bowerman)

The Challenger II has passed inspection by the Cleveland office of the Federal Aviation Administration, and students, donors and members of the public were invited to observe the airplane Aug. 26 as it finished its test flights at Fostoria Municipal Airport.

Since the project began three years ago, more than 100 St. Wendelin elementary and high school students have worked on the Challenger II airplane under the guidance of science teacher Ron Bowerman. Several adult volunteers from the community have also assisted with the project, including home plane builders Mike Kramb and Harry Bott and an aeronautical engineer and former student of Mr. Bowerman, Adam Flick.

The project was the recipient of many financial and in-kind donations, including a $10,000 Toyota Tapestry grant that was used to purchase the airplane kit in 2009.

The Lindbergh Foundation, in partnership with a trucking and marine shipping firm, will be shipping the plane overseas to the Kenya Wildlife Service.

The Challenger II plane project was a St. Wendelin Catholic School STEMM initiative (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Medicine). Mr. Bowerman initiated the project based on his belief that “Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) are our future and any way they can be brought to life in a school is vital.”

THE ADVERTISER-TRIBUNE – September 1, 2012

Fostoria , we have takeoff

St. Wendelin project puts airplane in flight for collection of data

By Karen Kin - Staff Writer

Aug. 4, the Challenger II aircraft named ArchAngel took off from Fostoria Municipal Airport, giving flight to three years of work, struggle and dedication.

In a news release from St. Wendelin Catholic School, the Challenger II project is described as a STEMM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics, medicine) initiative that began three years ago under the direction of Ron Bowerman, a teacher at St. Wendelin, and in association with the Lindbergh Foundation, an organization created in 1977.

The purpose of the Lindbergh Foundation, as stated on its website, is to "honor the Lindberghs' pioneering contributions in aviation, exploration, conservation, sciences, and the humanities," the cornerstone of which is to balance technological advancement while preserving human and natural environments.

In a newsletter published on the Lindbergh Foundation's website, Bowerman said, "The purpose of the (Challenger II) project is to get students interested in science, technology, engineering and math."

About 100 St. Wendelin students were involved in the building of the Challenger II, and Bowerman said during an interview his focus is to look at what the Wright Brothers did, and to help kids be inventive.

The St. Wendelin news release stated Bowerman received a Toyota Tapestry Grant for physics, and the funds from that grant were used to purchase an ultralight plane kit from Quad City Aircraft Corp.

The project was blessed, Bowerman said, by an offer from Quad City to charge only half price for the kit. The flight Aug. 4 was the culmination of years of student effort and the support of the Lindbergh Foundation, as well as other companies and individuals.

One exceptional donation, said Bowerman, was a whole-aircraft emergency parachute, which was given by BRS Aerospace in Minnesota. A private contribution of space in which to build the aircraft also was donated, and Fostoria's Roppe Corp. allowed Bowerman and St. Wendelin students the use of its hanger for final assembly of the ArchAngel.

Bowerman said the focus of the aircraft is to collect in-flight physical data for online labs. Research is being conducted now, he said.

July 27, the ArchAngel passed inspection by the Cleveland office of the FAA, and, after its inaugural flight, the aircraft made its first public flight Aug. 26 at Fostoria Municipal Airport. Almost 300 people attended the event, Bowerman said.

"It was great," he said.

The ArchAngel was flown by pilot Mike Kramb, he said.

In about three weeks, said Bowerman, the ArchAngel, with planning help from the Lindbergh Foundation, is to be shipped to the Kenya Wildlife Preserve in Africa to monitor and protect wildlife in their national preserves, with a focus on the protection of elephants from poaching.

As the Challenger II projects comes to a close, Bowerman hopes his love of aviation and the hands-on learning experience of the ArchAngel build will help inspire in his students lifelong commitments to the pursuit of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine.

Challenger II Test Flight

          The Challenger II airplane project was first begun three years ago. Mr. Ron Bowerman, St. Wendelin Catholic School science teacher, received the Toyota Tapesty Grant for physics and the funds were used to purchase the kit from Quad City Aircraft Corp. Over 100 St. Wendelin Catholic elementary and high school students have been involved in the building of the airplane. The Challenger II has been inspected by the FAA Cleveland office, passed inspection and is now conducting its test flights in the Fostoria area.

            In June 2011, an open house was conducted in which the plane, a video showing the different stages of construction, acknowledgements of donors, and a presentation of a ballistic parachute from Mr. Larry Williams, CEO BRS Aerospace occurred.

            On Sunday, August 26, 2012 at Fostoria Municipal airport the public will be able to observe the plane as it finishes its test flights (weather permitting). The plane will fly at approximately 5 pm. It will fly around the Fostoria area, land and take off several times. The plane will be open for the public to view from 3:00-5:00 pm.

            This will be one of the last times the Challenger II will be in the Fostoria area. The Lindbergh Foundation, in partnership with a trucking and marine shipping firm, will be shipping the plane overseas to the Kenya Wildlife Service to monitor elephant populations.

            The project was the recipient of many financial and in-kind donations and all donors have been invited to witness the plane in flight.

            The Challenger II plane project was a St. Wendelin Catholic School STEMM initiative (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Medicine). Mr. Bowerman initiated the project based on his belief that “Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (S.T.E.M.) are our future and any way they can be brought to life in a school is vital.

SW lets students touch technology in the classroom

ALEXANDRIA DIGBY
Published: June 30, 2012
RT Intern

St. Wendelin's incoming freshmen are not only entering their first year of high school, they will also be the first students in the school to use iPads in the classroom. In an effort to "enhance the technology of the school and provide the students with a better basis of technology," school and parish director Brian Shaver said that the administration decided that a tablet is the best technological device to bring into the school. "We thought about giving the students laptops or tablets and decided on a tablet," he said. "We saw laptops as just a portable word processor, but the tablets have more technology-based opportunities for learning." Shaver said the hope is to be able to reduce the amount of paper used and to engage the classroom in interaction using educational applications, or "apps."

Principal Mike Amlin said the first step is for the teachers to find apps that are relatable to their class material. Students will then learn how to use the apps so they can use them in and out of the classroom. "It's meant to be an extension of the teachers and the classroom," Amlin said. "It's an interactive resource that goes beyond the textbook activities."

For example, Shaver said there are apps that recreate projects that are normally done in a biology lab, such as dissection of frogs and crayfish. "They will be able to use their finger as a scalpel and if they mess up, it's OK because they can try again," he said. "They can master the app, then do the real thing with higher accuracy and be able to learn more from it. They're playing, but learning at the same time."

The plan is to supply iPads for incoming freshmen, and have those students use the iPads for their entire high school career. After four years, the iPads will be made available to the entire high school, and an evaluation of whether or not to extend the program to the junior high school will be made.

According to Shaver, "funding was definitely a hurdle," he said. " The seed funding to start the project came from very generous parishioners and benefactors." Starting this year, K-12 students will pay an annual $50 technology fee to keep the iPads available, as well as enhance the technology for the whole school. This year's incoming freshmen will pay a one-time startup fee of $150, then pay the normal fee in the following years.

The first shipment of iPad 2 tablets arrived at the school June 22, and the rest are expected in the coming weeks. There will be a total of 70 iPads: 40 for the students, 30 for the teachers.

Amlin said that they will have all the functionality of the iPad 2, except for access to 3G and 4G networks. "They will only be able to access the school's Wi-Fi while they are school," he said. "For obvious reasons, we need to be able to monitor what the students are doing with the iPads. They will be able to connect to other Wi-Fi networks at home, they just can't have 3G or 4G.

On July 9, Wi-Fi access points will be installed by BlueLink Wireless, a Fostoria-based company. Riley Kinn, BlueLink's representative for this project, said that access points will be in almost every classroom which will provide school-wide coverage.

Kinn said that the biggest feature that BlueLink has to offer the school is the ability to allow iPads to have access to the school's server. " The iPads will be authenticated by the school's server," he said. "It will bring wired and wireless together."

This plan has been in the works since Shaver and Amlin were hired into the school in 2011. "This is all the brain-child of Shaver," Amlin said. "He's really good at thinking outside the box and I was definitely on board at the chance to give students a skill-set for their future. This technology will allow them to look at real-life issues."

Copyright 2012 Review Times ( Fostoria, OH)