Board approves new football coach

The New Richmond Board of Education approved the hiring of Scott Herman as head football coach at its Monday meeting.

Herman, who is originally from Loveland and is now coaching at teaching at Montgomery High School in Texas, replaces Dan Scholz who resigned to accept the head coaching position at Oak Hills High School.

Click on the photo below to watch Herman's meeting with the team.


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The Board also approved the hiring of Christopher Malotke as the new varsity girls soccer coach.

"I am very excited about both of the new coaches," superintendent Adam Bird told the Board. "Both coaches are coming with good resumes and with what we have been looking for in a coach along with the experience we seeking."

Herman has coached at Montgomery High School for the past six years, the last four as defensive coordinator. Prior to moving to Texas, Herman coached at Little Miami for four years (two as head coach), Colerain for two years and one year at Loveland under Chuck Warden, who will be returning for a sixth year as New Richmond's offensive coordinator.

Herman played four years of college football at the College of Mt. St. Joseph. He had a chance to join Scholz' staff at Oak Hills as defensive coordinator.

He was introduced to the returning football players last week while he was awaiting Board approval.

"I'm excited to be here," Herman told the players. "You guys are going to get everything from me. This is my passion and what I feel like I was born to do."

Herman has four young children and said he wanted to move to a community where he could coach were his kids went to school.

"We're going to create memories," Herman told the players. "You are going to be proud to walk around with your New Richmond gear on. I am, too. I've got me a (New Richmond) shirt and I've got be a hat and I'm ready to go."

Maltke, who was an all-city soccer player at Mariemont High School and a two-year varsity player at Hanover College, comes to New Richmond after serving as as varsity assistant at Bethel-Tate and JV coach at Mt. Notre Dame. He has served as a board member of the NWCCSAY soccer association and is a USSF certified official.

$4000 raised for band, tornado victims

Friday's New Richmond High School Talent Show and fundraiser for Moscow tornado victims raised nearly $4000.

"The fundraiser made $1645 for the band from the talent show revenue and about $2200 for the Moscow community," announced fundraiser organizer Sue Griffin.

Money for the Moscow tornado victims will go to the New Richmond Food Pantry for distribution.

Another $200 is expected when silent auction items are paid and $80 from the NCAA bracket fundraiser.

"Thanks to everyone who helped Friday and everyone who donated items," said Griffin. "I'm very appreciative of everyone's efforts to make the event a success."

Monroe Elementary showing its colors

It's Art Spirit Week and at Monroe Elementary that means showing your colors.

Monday, March 19 is Primary Colors day where students wear as much blue, red and yellow as they can.

"Blue, red and yellow are the colors that, when mixed, make all other colors possible," explained Monroe visual arts teacher Adrian Hawk.

Tuesday is TESTURe day where students are asked to items such as pillow stuffing, cardboard, silk fabric, sponges, bubble wrap, cellophane, tree bark, fake leaves, cotton balls, lace, and anything else that has a fun feel to their clothes to demonstrate texture.

Wednesday is Favorite Artist & Art Media Day when students come dressed as their favorite artist, illustrator, artwork or storybook character.

Thursday is Patters Day when students wear as many different patterned clothes as you can! A pattern is a combination of lines, shapes, colors, pictures, and/or designs, etc. which is repeated over a surface.

The week concludes with Friday's Bold and Glitzy Day.

"Students wear their brightest, boldest, glitziest, neon, shiny, shimmery, glossy, sequined, etc. creative outfit or wear shapes all over or even dress up like a HUMAN SCUPTURE!," said Hawk.

Arts Hall of Fame inductions Thursday

Judy Schaechter, Kenneth Mauger, John Hale and the 2004-2005 Troubadours will be inducted into the New Richmond High School Performing Arts Hall of Fame Thursday, March 15.

“Every year deserving people get honored for work they have done to help New Richmond’s performing arts program,” said New Richmond High School music director Doug Heflin. ”But his year you look at the list and we are really excited.”

Going into the Arts Hall of Fame this year will be John Hale, class of 1952 who still performs at community events; Kenneth Mauger, instrumental music director from 1959-67; Judy Schaechter, Class of 1972 who now teaches at New Richmond Elementary and serves as an accompanist for school, church and social events; and the 2004-2005 Troubadours who raised $250,000 to make a trip to New York City and perform at Carnegie Hall.

Listen to Doug Heflin announce the 2012 inductees

They will be honored at a reception at 5 p.m. in the high school cafeteria followed by acceptance speeches at 5:30 p.m. in the high school music room and inducted during a 7 p.m. concert in the high school auditorium.

“The high school band, the mixed and women’s chorus and Troubadours will perform selected works,” said Heflin. “The honorees will be inducted in between the performances.”

The 2012 inductees:

John Hale

A 1952 graduate of New Richmond High School, John Hale has been a loyal and enthusiastic supporter of the New Richmond community. Mr. Hale, who was inducted into the NRHS Sports Hall of Fame in 1998, has been a fixture at community events with renditions of God Bless America, White Christmas, Silent Night or the National Anthem.

“It hardly seems like a New Richmond event that doesn’t have John Hale there showing his gift and love of music and showing his love of the community,” said Heflin.


Kenneth Mauger

Ken Mauger was instructor of bands for the New Richmond Exempted Village School District from 1959-67. His recruitment and community outreach was outstanding, leading to a large high school band that received a superior rating in state competition in 1965. He also performed with the Dayton Symphony for eight years and served as an inspiration and mentor to dozens of children in the community and instilled in his students a lifelong love and appreciation for music. He also was instrumental in encouraging and expanding music educators in the district and community. Mr. Mauger died on Nov. 24, 2006.

Judy Schaechter

Judy Schaechter is a 1972 graduate of New Richmond High School. She served as the accompanist for Les Chanteurs and played trumpet in the high school band, as well as serving as accompanist for several school musical productions. She attended the College-Conservatory of Music and continues to serve the children of New Richmond as a teacher at New Richmond Elementary School. “Judy has doing music since the early 1960s and has been a loyal and wonderful member of the New Richmond music community,” said Heflin.

2004-2005 Troubadours

After a successful performance in Ohio Music Education Association competition, the 2004-2005 Troubadours were chosen to perform on the state at Carnegie Hall in New York City where they performed the entire Schubert Mass in g minor (a 67-page work) and performed along with college choirs and the New England Symphony Orchestra. “This once in a lifetime trip required an enormous fund raising effort to meet a budget of more than $250,000 for a traveling group of 150 people,” said Heflin. “This rates as one of the finest Troubadour groups from a long line of great ensembles.”

NRHS students help Moscow cleanup

About 40 students representing the New Richmond High School National Honor Society and the New Richmond High School football team spent their Saturday helping with the Moscow and Felicity area cleanup from last week's tornado.

The high school volunteers joined National Guard members and others from the community to help Moscow residents clean their yards of debris while Ohio Dept. of Transportation and others were using heavy equipment to demolish homes that were beyond repair.

Other New Richmond students were sent to the Felicity area to help with cleanup.

NRHS wrestling coach Deron Shinkle arrived early Saturday to help the family of former NRHS student Bryan Martineck.

Their work was captured in these photos and video by NHS advisor Nicole Parker and assistant football coach Rick Mahan.

NRMS science team heads back to state as regional champions

Members of New Richmond’s Middle School’s regional champion Science Olympiad team were (Back row from left): coach Doug Smiddy, Luke Smiddy,coach Tina Grippa, Evan Grippa, coach Josh Grischow, Stile Sweet, Eric Williams, Jade Kunz, Marie Bezold; (middle row from left): Kaylin Hoffman, Rachel Coons, Alicia Bailey, Adrianna Flood, Alex Garnder, Joe Maxwell, Teddy Mansfield, Lindsey Williams, TIm Hammer, Jenny Roberts, coach Pam Hughes; (front row from left): Carter Light, Katie Schlaak, Joey Hammill, Daniel Weiskittel, Audrey Feiler, Kaeley Fagan, Caitlyn Grooms, Anna Heiden and Cydney Stiles. Not pictured: Alex Grooms and Josh Clancy.

The New Richmond Middle School Science Olympiad team is going back to the state finals at Ohio State University in April, this time as champions of the Cincinnati Regional Science Olympiad held March 3 at UC Blue Ash College on March 3, 2012.

In defeating teams from Loveland, Wyoming, Ross, Twin Valley and Kings and six private schools including Summit Country Day, the NRMS team won six of the 23 events and finished in the top five in 11 other events. The second NRMS team made up of 7th grade students finished 9th with a first place in one event and top five finishes in six other events.

“When we started the Science Olympiad team in 2009 we had to beg students to be on the team and we ended up finishing 10th at Regionals,” noted head coach Josh Grischow. “In 2010 we earned a trophy for finishing in 6th place. In 2011 we used our allowed five 9th graders for the first time to great results, finishing in 3rd place and qualifying for state. This year, we brought two teams and practiced more than any year before. The results speak for themselves.“

Science Olympiad teams compete individually or in groups in a series of 23 events which test their knowledge of science skills, processes, and applications in a wide range of science disciplines including biology, chemistry, physics, technology, earth science, and mathematics.

“We had high expectations for our 8th/9th grade team,” said Grischow. “We brought back five of our best students from last year's team who are now freshmen. Their leadership and work ethic were great examples for our younger students.”

The 9th grade MVP was Audrey Feiler, who won two 1st place and one 2nd place medals. The 8th grade MVP was Evan Grippa, who won two 1st place medals.

Grischow was a little concerned about his 7th graders after giving them only a month notice that they would be competing in the tournament.

“But every 7th grader earned at least one medal,” noted Grischow. "We are confident that this experience will pay off next year.”

Luke Smdidy and Kaeley Fagan, the only 7th graders to each earn two top-2 place medals, were named the co-MVPs on the 7th grade team. Daniel Weiskittel and Joey Hammill were the only 7th graders to win a 1st place medal.

“It's gratifying to see our hard work pay off, as our students have been building, studying, and practicing multiple times per week for months,” said Grischow. “Our students are also very involved in other activities like the school musical, sports, and Future Cities, so to see them balance their commitments and still come out on top is amazing.”

The state finals will be held April 28 at The Ohio State University in Columbus, where 40 middle school and 40 senior high school teams will compete. The winner in each division will compete in the National Science Olympiad Tournament which will be held at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida on May 18-19, 2012.

The Ohio Science Olympiad is an academic, interscholastic competition designed to increase student interest in science and to improve the quality of science education. It has grown from just 23 teams competing in state competition in 1985 to 269 teams competing in eight regional tournaments in 2011. Nationally, over 350,000 students are involved in the Science Olympiad program. In Ohio, the program is sponsored by The Ohio State University, the Ohio Department of Education, and the Science Education Council of Ohio.

The 8th/9th grade team included Alex Grooms, Eric Williams, Jenny Roberts, Audrey Feiler, Marie Bezold, Tim Hammer, Stile Sweet, Adrianna Flood, Evan Grippa, Cydney Stiles, Carter Light, Alicia Bailey, Joe Maxwell, Jade Kunz, Lindsey Williams

The 7th grade team consisted of Daniel Weiskittel, Joey Hammill, Josh Clancy, Alex Gardner, Teddy Mansfield, Luke Smiddy, Kaylin Hoffman, Rachel Coons, Katie Schlaak, Caitlyn Grooms, Anna Heiden and Kaeley Fagan.

They were coached by Grischow and NRMS science teachersTina Grippa, Pam Hughes, and Doug Smiddy.

Medal winners (both teams):

Placing 1st in Anatomy were Evan Grippa and Jenny Roberts
Placing 1st in Experimental Design were Audrey Feiler, Jenny Roberts, and Marie Bezold
Placing 1st in Disease Detectives were Audrey Feiler and Marie Bezold
Placing 1st in Bottle Rockets were Evan Grippa and Carter Light
Placing 1st in Dynamic Planet were Joey Hammill and Daniel Weiskittel
Placing 1st in Optics were Jade Kunz and Joe Maxwell
Placing 1st in Rocks and Minerals were Cydney Stiles and Lindsey Williams
Placing 2nd in Crime Busters were Tim Hammer and Carter Light
Placing 2nd in Optics were Kaeley Fagan and Luke Smiddy
Placing 2nd in Reach for the Stars was Stile Sweet
Placing 2nd in Rocks and Minerals were Kaylin Hoffman and Katie Schlaak
Placing 2nd in Write It, Do It were Kaeley Fagan and Luke Smiddy

Talent Show fundraiser March 16 to benefit Moscow families and NRHS band

The rescheduled New Richmond High School Talent Show on March 16 has turned into an evening fund raising event that will benefit both the high school band and the Moscow relief effort through the New Richmond Food Pantry.

“We are going to donate a portion of the proceeds to the NRHS band, since the talent show was originally scheduled as a band fundraiser and since there is a definite need for new uniforms and instruments,” said event organizer Sue Griffin. “The Food Pantry would be fine with the other portion of the fundraiser proceeds, so I think benefiting two organizations, both of which directly benefit our community and our kids, is a fine idea.”

Other events in addition to the Talent Show on March 16 include:

* Open swim in NRHS pool: 3 -7 p.m. $5

* Bake sale in theatre lobby: 3 - 9 p. m. Items priced from $.50-$5.

* Cakewalk in gym: 4:30 - 7 p.m. $1 per walk. Whole cakes sold.

(contact Michelle Senter at 907-0307 or email at senter_m@nrschools.org to donate a cake)

* Spaghetti dinner in cafeteria: 5-6:30 p.m. $5. (limited to 300 people)

* Talent Show in theatre: 7 – 9.pm. $5. (limited to 500 people)

* Food drive: donations accepted at the door for NR Food Pantry

* Student artwork/silent auction: Location TBD.

Tickets will go on sale Wednesday March 14 at New Richmond High School and at the door on March 16.

Contact Sue Griffin at 553-3191 ext 10204 or griffin_s@nrschools.org to donate bake sale items, silent auction items, to volunteer to work at the event. Donated items can be brought or sent to New Richmond High School, 1131 Bethel New Richmond Road, New Richmond, Ohio 45157.

In addition to the March 16 fundraiser, the New Richmond Elementary PTO is sponsoring a Zumba-thon from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 17at NRE. Admission is $10 for 3 hours of Zumba and proceeds will benefit Moscow relief efforts.

Bird, Smith to speak at HS PTO

New Richmond Supt. Adam Bird and interim New Richmond High School principal Jim Smith will be the guest speakers at the March 12 meeting of the New Richmond High School PTO. The meeting will be at 7 p.m. in the high school library.

"Mr. Bird and Mr. Smith will answer any questions you might have at the high school or district level," said PTO president Linda Miller. "Please plan to join us for an informative session."

The HS PTO is in need of donations for the Easter Bunny Breakfast March 17 (9-11 a.m. at the NRHS Cafeteria. The breakfast is a fundraiser for the After Prom Committee.

"We could use plastic eggs, wrapped candy and small prizes," said Miller. "If you are not able to donate, please plan to attend with your little ones. We are serving waffles, bacon, coffee, juice & milk."

The breakfast also will feature arts & crafts and the Easter Bunny posing for pictures.

Update on local Moscow relief efforts

Retired New Richmond EVSD teacher Ron Stang reported the following from a meeting Wednesday of local organizations working with Moscow relief:

There was a large gathering at Cranston Memorial Presbyterian in New Richmond involving 11 local ministers, heads of local organizations (Boys and Girls club, veterans, Liar's Club, Food Pantry), and representatives from large disaster organizations.

The following was determined :

• 60% of the homes were immediately destroyed or are now condemned and will be torn down. Most of the debris has been hauled away, and what remains will be out by this weekend.

• The Washington Township Park Hall 756 is providing some supplies and is the temporary Post Office. There is a shuttle from Moscow from 10-5 daily.

• FEMA is not getting involved.

• There is a real need for Case Management workers to help the residents documenting their needs. call Ron Matthews at 752-5265 or RMatthews@Friendshipcincy.org

• There is a need for housing. St. Peter's church in New Richmond just turned over their downstairs to the Red Cross for shelter. If you want to let people stay in your house, call the Red Cross.

• River of Life Assembly of God in Moscow on US 52 will continue to handout food/some clothing, and household supplies. They need volunteers to help them. If you want to volunteer or donate food and supplies, please call them first at 553-6721.

• Grant United Methodist Church in Point Pleasant will continue to provide hot meals on site and receive/handout canned food and misc. household supplies. 553-3667 or 479-4533

• Cranston Memorial Presbyterian Church in New Richmond at Washington and Union streets will continue to take in canned/dry good foods for the Moscow residents. 553-2397

• Don't forget pet food in your donations. There is already horse food available.

• The Boys and Girls Club in New Richmond at the corner of Washington and Union Streets will continue to provide clothing. They do not need any more clothing donated. They have all sizes. 10-6 Monday through Saturday. 553-0188

• The residents of Moscow are asking for Kroger cards so that they can purchase fresh foods. Most of the homes that are now occupied still do not have electricity to keep fresh food. The residents are also needing cards from building supply stores. The cards could be given to the River of Life church.

• Home Depot donated 20 grills for the residents to cook on.

• The Salvation Army is pulling out.

• We are providing meals for the all the residents and workers that are there in the village area from tomorrow morning on. There can be as many as 250 hungry workers for each meal. We need help cooking, serving, and cleaning up. The Masonic Lodge on Broadway in Moscow is the location. Please call Jean Rust to volunteer. 553-1041.

• There is a fund set up for all cash donations. It is at the River Hills Bank. The account is the River Valley Ecumenical Churches. Please note the donation as "tornado relief." This was approved of by all the ministers and local organization reps at our meeting.

• Furniture should be stored until further notice. Obviously there will be a need, but not until people get into houses.

• We are asking the Moscow Village Council to convene and list their needs so that all of us can help them as they deem necessary.

Ron Stang

Monroe's Emily Colonel has her artwork selected for display in Columbus

Monroe Elementary second grade student Emily Colonel has had her artwork selected for display during the month of March at the 2012 Ohio Art Education Association’s Youth Art Month Exhibition in Columbus.

The art exhibition by Ohio students in grades kindergarten through eighth is on display at the State Teacher’s Retirement Systems (STRS) building, 275 East Broad Street, in Columbus, Ohio during the month of March.
Emily Colonel holds her artwork that was among 158 pieces of artwork from through the state to be selected for display during the month of March at the 2012 Ohio Art Education Association’s Youth Art Month Exhibition in Columbus.

“One hundred and fifty-eight pieces of artwork were selected for this juried show from the nine OAEA regions of the state of Ohio,” noted Monroe art educator Adrian Hawk.

New Richmond Elementary first grader Makaila Burnham and fifth grader Everett Olenick also had their artwork selected for display by the Ohio Art Education Association.

A reception and awards ceremony will be held at the STRS building on Saturday, March 10, 2012 for the young artists, their parents, teachers and guests.

Among its many professional endeavors, OAEA works to promote art education and recognizes quality student art through various exhibits sponsored during the year at both the state and regional levels.

“The Youth Art Month Exhibition comes about through many volunteer hours by art teachers in the state of Ohio,” said Vance.