WestChesterBuzz.com

There is plenty to do in West Chester and Liberty townships this weekend.

For things to do in Greater Cincinnati, visit Cincinnati.com’s new Things to Do page.

When you are not out and about, visit the new video page on WestChesterBuzz.com To view West Chester and Liberty Township related videos, visit westchesterbuzz.com/videos.

Saturday

Cool Jazz ‘n’ Hotcakes breakfast – Jazz will be on the menu for the Lakota East High School’s Cool Jazz ‘n’ Hotcakes breakfast. From 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, the school’s Eastside Café will be open to the community for a morning of jazz performances by Lakota junior and senior high school musicians. Listen to five different ensembles while munching on pancakes and sausage cooked by parents and served by teens. Admission is $6 for all the food you can eat.

Karen Moeller Scholarship Fun Run – Two summers ago, the Lakota community lost a loved one when longtime teacher Karen Moeller passed away. Members of the community honored the elementary school teacher by creating the Karen Moeller Scholarship Fun Run/Walk, which will take place for the second consecutive year in May at Voice of America Park. This year’s event will take place Saturday and will begin at 9 a.m. around the lake at VOA Park.

Plant sale and open house at Hughes School – Antique agricultural tractors will be on display at this year’s spring open house at the former Hughes School – a one-room school adjacent to Liberty Elementary School. Sponsored by the Liberty Township Historical Society the open house runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, at the school, 6010 Princeton Road. In conjunction with the open house, the Liberty Township Garden Club will host its annual plant sale in the school’s parking lot.

Fancy Nancy Tea Party – In the community room of the West Chester Library there will be two tea parties this Saturday. The hour-long event, which is called Fancy Nancy Tea Party, will begin at 10:30 a.m. and again at 1:30 p.m. The event is geared to “Fancy Nancys” ages 4-6 and their chaperones. The event includes a storytime, followed by light refreshments. Children are encouraged to dress up. Cameras are welcome. Call the library, 513-777-3131 about registration.

Sunday

Great Amazing Race – Modeled after a popular TV reality show, the contest at Voice of America Park pairs family members on a mile-long course that leads them to a string of challenge stations. Typical challenges range from a piggyback obstacle course to a “mummy wrap,” in which adults robe their youthful partner in toilet paper. The event organizer, Greg Benton, describes it as a family version of the TV show, “The Amazing Race.” The race will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. and costs $40 for a team of two. Visit greatamazingrace.com for more details or to register.

Acoustic Jam session – The community is invited to listen or join in a public acoustic jam session at Keehner Park this Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. According to westchesteroh.org, similar events will be held on the first Sunday of the month at Keehner Park now through September.

Posted in: Events, News, School events |

Tags: Tags: Adena Elementary, Adena Elementary School, basketball, brain cancer, death, funeral, Karen Moeller, Karen Moeller Scholarship Fun Run/Walk, Karen Moeller Scholarship Fund, Lakota East, Lakota East bands, Lakota East High School, Lakota East High School’s Cool Jazz ‘n’ Hotcakes breakfast, Lakota Local Schools, Voice of America Park

Two summers ago, the Lakota community lost a loved one when longtime teacher Karen Moeller passed away.

Members of the community honored the elementary school teacher by creating the Karen Moeller Scholarship Fun Run/Walk, which will take place for the second consecutive year in May at Voice of America Park.

This year’s event will take place Saturday and will begin at 9 a.m. around the lake at VOA Park. The event will benefit the Karen Moeller Scholarship Fund, which awards two scholarships each year to high school students based on academics and contributions to Lakota and to his or her community.

The distance of the run/walk is 1 ¼ miles. Prizes and awards will also be given out.

The cost per participant on the day of the event is $20. Those walk-ups are encouraged to arrive at least 30 minutes before the event begins.

Moeller taught first and second grades at Adena Elementary for 17 years before being transferred to Shawnee Elementary. In November of 2007, Moeller was diagnosed with brain cancer and fought the disease for more than 3 ½ years.

For more information about the event, visit lakotawesthigh.com.

Posted in: Events, News, School events |

Tags: Tags: Adena Elementary, Adena Elementary School, basketball, brain cancer, death, funeral, Karen Moeller, Karen Moeller Scholarship Fun Run/Walk, Karen Moeller Scholarship Fund, Lakota Local Schools, Voice of America Park

The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty is accepting applications until next Monday, April 1 for the Karen Moeller Scholarship, which awards two scholarships each year to high school students based on academics and contributions to Lakota and to his or her community.

Moeller taught first and second grades at Adena Elementary for 17 years before being transferred to Shawnee Elementary. As a teacher, she won the David Thiel Award, which recognizes kind, caring, and giving community members in Lakota.

In November of 2007, Moeller was diagnosed with brain cancer and fought the disease for more than 3 ½ years.

She passed away in June of 2011.

After her death, her family and friends worked to establish a scholarship fund as a tribute to her work in Lakota and her love of furthering the education of local youth.

Applications can be found online at www.wclfoundation.com.

To learn more about The Community Foundation’s scholarship opportunities or how to create a legacy by establishing a new scholarship opportunity, please call Melissa Benedict at 513-874-5450.

Posted in: News, Schools |

Tags: Tags: Adena Elementary, Adena Elementary School, basketball, brain cancer, death, funeral, Karen Moeller, Karen Moeller Scholarship Fun Run/Walk, Karen Moeller Scholarship Fund, Lakota Local Schools

Amber Gray becomes first to have number retired at Lakota West

On National Signing Day, a day when high school student athletes throughout the country are celebrated for what they will do in the future, a former high school athlete returned to her alma mater to be recognized for what she has done.

Amber Gray’s story is as inspirational as they come and, deservingly so, Lakota West bestowed an honor that it has never done before – by retiring her No. 10 jersey just prior to the Lakota East at Lakota West varsity basketball game Wednesday night.

“It is a huge honor. I don’t think I would be where I am without my teammates and coaches,” Gray said.

“To be able to always walk into Lakota West and see that number up there will always bring back the memories of the great times and the stories that I have throughout my high school career.”

On the basketball floor, Gray’s story began Nov. 23, 2004.

Lakota sports historian Bob Ashby remembers it clearly.

At the time, West Chester Township was abounded with buzz about a freshman phenom, who was going to the start season opener at Vandalia-Butler. Ashby had to see it.

The debut started with Gray winning the opening tip, getting the ball back and scoring the game’s first basket. Behind its new star, West jumped out to a big lead and by the third quarter, Gray was done of for the day – on the bench with 24 points, 10 rebounds in only 18 minutes of play.

From there, Gray didn’t slow down becoming the school’s all-time leader in points scored (1,931), rebounds (925), assists (197), blocks (130) and games played (99).

Her spectacular play earned her the distinction of being named a McDonald’s All-American and a full ride to play for NCAA’s all-time winningest coach Pat Summitt at the University of Tennessee.

After seeing some action as a freshman – averaging 2.7 points per game in 27 appearances – Gray underwent shoulder surgery in the offseason.

The surgery was declared a success until Gray’s lungs inexplicably filled up with fluid. She couldn’t breathe on her own and was put on life support for four days.

She would eventually recover, from what was later determined a stroke caused by a brain aneurysm, but it was a fight.

Gray brought the fight back home and transferred to Xavier, where she is now senior and leads her team in scoring with 10.8 points per game.

“She is very inspiring. That goes without question,” her father Carlton Gray said. “This isn’t just about basketball, it also about how she has recovered and attacked everything with a positive attitude. As a parent you can learn from that.”

Once Amber graduates from Xavier in May, she plans to take her infectious positive attitude into coaching. Gray said that she would like to do it on the collegiate level.

“I may also want to work with younger players as well,” she said. “I have younger siblings and that has always been a huge priority of mine – making sure they are able to accomplish their dreams.”

Whenever Amber gets a break from school and college basketball, she will attend practices and help coach her younger sisters – Chance Gray, 8, Alanna Carter, 10, Sierra Herrera, 16, and Skylar Herrera, 12.

“She is the best ever, she teaches us basketball,” Alanna said. “She also teaches us how to be a good person.”

In honor of Gray, Lakota West donned its away red jerseys to match Gray’s replica jersey in Lakota West’s gym and defeated school-district rival Lakota East 49-39. Lakota West’s next potential star, sophomore Lauren Cannatelli, led all scorers with 21 points.

Lakota East (7-14, 6-8) – Satterwhite 2 0 4, Catron 1 0 3, Rodgers 1 4 6, Wills 1 2 4, Pearl 2 0 4, Goodwin 1 1 3, Franklin 4 0 9, White 3 0 6. Totals 15 7 39.

Lakota West (17-3, 11-3 in GMC) – Wells 1 0 2, Niehaus 1 0 3, Staples 3 2 8, Cannatelli 5 10 21, Whitaker 0 1 1, Carter 4 1 9, Tomasic 1 0 2, Aull 0 1 1, Wasan 1 0 2. Totals 16 15 49.

Halftime: Lakota West 24-14. 3-pointers: LW 2 (Niehaus, Cannatelli); LE 2 (Catron, Franklin).

Posted in: News, Schools, Sports, Student achievements, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Amber Gray, Amber Gray Lakota West, Amber Gray Xavier, Amber Gray Xavier University, basketball, girls' basketball, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, University of Tennessee, Xavier basketball, Xavier University, Xavier University basketball, Xavier women's basketball

Xavier’s Amber Gray will become first Lakota basketball player to have her number retired

The best basketball player ever to don a Lakota West basketball jersey, Amber Gray, will become the school district’s first athlete of the sport to have her jersey retired.

Gray, who owns school career records in points, rebounds, assists, blocked shots and games played, will have her No. 10 jersey hung permanently in her high school’s gym before the Lakota East at Lakota West girls’ basketball game next Wednesday, Feb. 6. The ceremony will take place at approximately 7:15 p.m.

In 2008, Gray was considered one of the top Division I college recruits in the country. She finished her high school career with the following accolades – McDonald’s All-American, USA Today All-USA Third Team, Parade Magazine All-America, All-Southwest Ohio Player of the Year (twice), First-Team all-state, Cincinnati Enquirer Player of The Year (twice) and Greater Miami Conference Player of the Year (three times).

Many of the top collegiate programs wanted her and after careful consideration, Gray decided to commit to the University of Tennessee.

As a freshman at UT, Gray appeared in 27 games and averaged 2.7 points per game. After the season, however, Gray’s basketball career would be put on hold.

She had suffered a shoulder injury, which she tried to rehab through conditioning. Her shoulder, however, didn’t get better. Gray elected to have surgery in July of 2009.

The surgery performed at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Knoxville, Tenn., was called a success as Gray’s parents and grandparents sat in the waiting room looking forward to seeing her.

A few hours later, no knew why but fluid filled Amber’s lungs. She could not breathe on her own. She was rushed to the intensive care unit and put on life support where she stayed for four days.

“We went from celebrating the success of a shoulder surgery to not knowing if she would ever wake up again,” Amber’s mother Tonya Carter said. (more…)

Posted in: Schools, Sports, Student achievements, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Amber Gray, Amber Gray Lakota West, Amber Gray Xavier, Amber Gray Xavier University, basketball, girls' basketball, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, University of Tennessee, Xavier basketball, Xavier University, Xavier University basketball, Xavier women's basketball

Last June, the Lakota community lost a loved one when longtime teacher Karen Moeller passed away.

Just less than a year later, members of the community will honor the elementary school teacher by participating in the Karen Moeller Scholarship Fun Run/Walkat Voice of America Park at 9 a.m. Saturday.

The event will benefit the Karen Moeller Scholarship Fund, which awards two scholarships each year to high school students based on academics and contributions to Lakota and to his or her community.

The distance of the run/walk is 1 ¼ miles. Prizes and awards will also be given out.

The cost per participant on the day of the event is $20. Those walk-ups are encouraged to arrive at least 30 minutes before it begins.

Moeller taught first and second grades at Adena Elementary for 17 years before being transferred to Shawnee Elementary. In November of 2007, Moeller was diagnosed with brain cancer and fought the disease for more than 3 ½ years.

For more information about the event, visit westfirebirds.com.

Posted in: Events, News, School events |

Tags: Tags: Adena Elementary, Adena Elementary School, basketball, brain cancer, death, funeral, Karen Moeller, Karen Moeller Scholarship Fun Run/Walk, Karen Moeller Scholarship Fund, Lakota Local Schools, Voice of America Park

Last June, the Lakota community lost a loved one when longtime teacher Karen Moeller passed away.

Just less than a year later, members of the community will honor the elementary school teacher by participating in the Karen Moeller Scholarship Fun Run/Walk at Voice of America Park at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 26.

The event will benefit the Karen Moeller Scholarship Fund, which awards two scholarships each year to high school students based on academics and contributions to Lakota and to his or her community.

The distance of the run/walk is 1 ¼ miles. Prizes and awards will also be given out.

If participants register before May 18, the cost is $10 for elementary/junior high students, $15 for high school students/adults and $30 for families. The cost per participant on the day of the event is $20. Those walk-ups are encouraged to arrive at least 30 minutes before the event begins.

Moeller taught first and second grades at Adena Elementary for 17 years before being transferred to Shawnee Elementary. In November of 2007, Moeller was diagnosed with brain cancer and fought the disease for more than 3 ½ years.

For more information about the event, visit westfirebirds.com.

Posted in: Events, News, School events |

Tags: Tags: Adena Elementary, Adena Elementary School, basketball, brain cancer, death, funeral, Karen Moeller, Karen Moeller Scholarship Fun Run/Walk, Karen Moeller Scholarship Fund, Lakota Local Schools, Voice of America Park

Cincinnati Enquirer’s Kevin Kelly reports:

Nobody guards Amber Gray on the basketball court as closely as “Henry” does. “Henry” is what the Xavier University forward calls the transparent face mask she wears “just to make sure I’m safe out there.” Doctors’ orders.

“If somebody walked into the gym right now and watched her play, all they would do is see the mask, and most people probably assume she’s recovering from a broken nose or something,” said her father, Carlton Gray. “Because of how she carries herself, and because of where she’s at, most people just don’t realize how serious it was and how far she’s come.”

A fixture in Xavier’s starting lineup this season, the 21 year old is returning to form on the basketball court after surviving a brush with mortality during the summer of 2009.

Gray suffered a stroke early that July and days later underwent brain surgery. The 12 1/2-hour procedure involved clipping the bleeding aneurysm that caused the stroke and taking an artery from her left forearm and using it to bypass the damaged blood vessel in her brain.

“She has made not only a remarkable but close to incredible recovery,” said Dr. Mario Zuccarello, the Mayfield Clinic neurosurgeon and chair of the University of Cincinnati’s Department of Neurosurgery who performed the delicate operation at University Hospital.

“She has been able to overcome physical difficulties that many times other patients cannot overcome. She’s taking full advantage of her physical fitness and is back pretty much to normal.”

Gray bears three scars from the procedure – one on her forearm, another in a natural crease on her neck and a third concealed behind her hairline – but pays them little mind. Her concern is helping the Musketeers win basketball games.

“That’s with any injury,” Gray said. “The second you go out there and play tentative, that’s when something happens. That’s when you end up getting hurt.

“It’s hard to explain because I’m out there like, I’m fine. What was there is gone. The problem that was there isn’t there anymore. So I’m like, ‘Well, let’s just play.’ ” (more…)

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Amber Gray, Amber Gray Lakota West, Amber Gray Xavier, Amber Gray Xavier University, basketball, girls' basketball, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports, University of Tennessee, Xavier basketball, Xavier University, Xavier University basketball, Xavier women's basketball

Former Lakota West basketball star Alexis Rogers, who is a redshirt sophomore on the Bowling Green State University girls’ basketball team, was recently named Mid-American Conference Player of the Week.

Rogers averaged 14.7 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, helping Bowling Green to a 3-0 record last week. In a game against Youngstown State last Tuesday, Rogers totaled career highs in points with 23 and in rebounds with 11.

• Alexis Rogers transfers from Duke to Bowling Green

In her first season at BGSU, after transferring from Duke University, Rogers is averaging 9.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.

Her team is currently 7-2 on the year and has won six straight games.

Rogers and the Falcons will be back in action at Creighton at 2:05 p.m. Sunday.

To see Rogers play, visit bgsufalcons.com – the website streams live video of each home game. The next home contest will be against Madonna University at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Alexis Rogers, Alexis Rogers Bowling Green, basketball, Bowling Green basketball, Duke basketball, Lakota West, Lakota West High School, MAC basketball, MAC Player of the Week

Lakota East seniors Whitney Wyckoff and Molly Blomer scored 14 points a piece to lead their team to a 56-46 victory against Notre Dame (Ky.) Wednesday.

The Thunderhawks entered the game ranked second in the Enquirer’s Ohio area Division I coaches’ poll, while Notre Dame was ranked third in the Enquirer’s Northern Kentucky poll.

The matchup was special for the school’s two coaches, Nicole Levandusky and Nikki Drew, who both played college ball together at Xavier University.

• Game story from the Cincinnati Enquirer

“When I found out Nicole was coaching Notre Dame, I started scheduling them because I knew she would coach them up,” Drew said of Notre Dame’s second-year coach.

In her first year, Levandusky’s team lost its season opener to Lakota East by the score of 61-35.

Both coaches also played professionally. Drew was actually the first XU player to compete on a professional level when she went to play in France and Levandusky was the first XU player to be drafted in the WNBA when she was selected by the Los Angeles Sparks in 2001.

The Thunderhawks will be back in action this Saturday when they will visit Fairfield (1-1) at 2 p.m.

Lakota East will then have its home opener against Oak Hills (0-1) at 2 p.m. Dec. 10.

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: basketball, girls' basketball, Greater Miami Conference photos, Lakota East, Lakota East basketball, Lakota East photos, Lakota East Sports, Lakota East sports photos, Lakota sports photos, Molly Blomer, Nicole Levandusky, Nikki Drew, Notre Dame Academy, West Chester photos, Whitney Wyckoff, Whitney Wyckoff Lakota East, Xavier University