WestChesterBuzz.com

The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty recently released the deadlines to apply for the Lakota Athletic Participation Fee Fund, which was created to assist student athletes in the Lakota school district with sports fees.

Junior high and high school students saw their athletic fees increase prior to the 2011-2012 school year when the Lakota Board of Education approved $10.2 million in cuts.

Athletic fees ballooned to $350 for junior high athletes – up from $200 in 2010-2011 – and to $550 for high school students – up from $300 in 2010-2011.

Due to this increase, the Community Foundation established the Lakota Athletic Participation Fee Fund. Through this fund, private donations can be made to cover half of the athletic fee assessed to students participating in sports within the district.

More than $6,500 was awarded in scholarship during the 2011-12 school year.

Deadlines for consideration during the 2012-2013 school year:

• Fall Sports: Students in grades 7-8 must apply by May 15, Students in grades 9-12 must apply by Aug. 17
• Winter Sports: Students in grades 7-12 must apply by Nov. 16
• Spring Sports: Students in grades 7-12 must apply by Feb. 15

Families interested in submitting an application for consideration must submit a letter to The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty indicating their desire for assistance.

The letter should include the name of the student athlete, school and grade level. The letter should also include a rationalization and insight into the family’s hardship, the benefit the students will receive from athletic participation and insight into the family’s ability to cover half of the athletic fee charged to the student. Families should also include documentation of other financial assistance being provided.

Send letters to:

The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty
Attn: Lakota Athletic Participation Fee Fund
5641 Union Centre Drive
West Chester, OH 45069

Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee of West Chester and Liberty Township residents.

A limited number of scholarships are available. Only one scholarship per student will be awarded in a school year.

Community Members who wish to support the Lakota Athletic Participation Fee Fund can make a donation payable to the Lakota Athletic Participation Fee Fund c/o The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty. For more information, call Melissa Benedict at 513-874-5450.

Posted in: Board of Education, Levy news, News, Schools, Sports |

Tags: Tags: athletic fees, Community Foundation, Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, Lakota athletic fees, Lakota Board of Education, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, WCL Community Foundation

The Angel Fund, which provides one-time financial assistance to local residents and business members who are in an extraordinary, urgent or unusual circumstance, will host its first fundraiser from 6-to-9 p.m. Thursday at Jag’s in West Chester.

Jag’s chef Michelle Brown has prepared a “Dinner by the Bite” menu to compliment the Angel Fund’s live and silent auctions.

The cost to attend is $65 a ticket. To RSVP, call 513-874-5459.

The Angel Fund is a Board Designated Fund held at the Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty. The fund provides one-time emergency assistance to people who live or work in West Chester/Liberty whose need cannot be addressed by any other charitable, governmental, religious or social services agency or organization.

A person in need cannot come directly to the Community Foundation of WCL and request for aid from the Angel Fund. Instead, an “Angel” must request help for a neighbor, friend, associate or family member whom they suspect is having difficulties making ends meet.

For additional information regarding the Angel Fund, visit the Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty’s website at www.wclfoundation.com.

Posted in: Events, News |

Tags: Tags: Angel Fund, Angel Fund West Chester, charity, Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, Jag's, Jag's Steak & Seafood, Jag's Steak & Seafood West Chester, Jag's West Chester, WCL Community Foundation

Jenny Haynes, a second grade teacher at Woodland Elementary, and Tim Shaffer, assistant principal at Lakota West High School, each received the Lakota Educator of Excellence Award this April. Photo provided by ElitePhotography.com.

To let West Chester and Liberty Township residents catch up with the news that they need to know, WestChesterBuzz.com will list and link to all of last week’s top local stories every Monday.

Lakota educators honored – The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty recently honored two educators awarding each of them its Lakota Educator of Excellence Award. Jenny Haynes, a second grade teacher at Woodland Elementary, and Tim Shaffer, assistant principal at Lakota West High School, received the awards and were selected from nominations received from peers, parents and students in the community.

• Video: Lakota Educator of Excellence Jenny Haynes
• Video: Lakota Educator of Excellence Tim Shaffer

AK Steel posts $11.8 million first-quarter loss – West-Chester based AK Steel posted an $11.8 million first-quarter loss last Tuesday with lower shipments cutting into sales. The loss amounted to 11 cents per share. During the same period last year, the company had a profit of $8.7 million, or 8 cents per share. The company said that it expects to post a profit for the second quarter, but didn’t release specifics.

Butler County judge faces sexual harassment complaint – A court reporter has filed a complaint against a Butler County common pleas judge saying he retaliated against her after their 9-year extra-marital affair ended when his wife found out in December, according to The Enquirer’s Sheila McLaughlin. Jennifer Olivier said Judge Michael Sage, who has been on the bench since 1991, “abused his judicial authority” by directing his staff and others at the courthouse to treat her harshly and intimidate her, according to a complaint she filed with Court Administrator Gary Yates this April.

Jack in the Box breaks ground and names second location – A spokesperson with Jack in the Box said that it has started construction on its first Ohio location last week. Furthermore, the spokesperson also announced a second Cincinnati location for the fast food chain. Brian Luscomb of Jack in the Box said the company began construction in West Chester at 7425 Tylersville Road, which is off I-75 in an old gas station lot that is directly next to a Long John Silver’s.

Kyle Meadows thinking FSU – Lakota West offensive tackle Kyle Meadows has more than 15 offers and is leaning towards going to Florida State to continue his football career. The junior suffered an injury this fall, but has worked hard to get healthy and has been awarded with a lot of attention from college football coaches.

West Chester announces dates for nature programs – West Chester Township recently announced the dates for 2012 sessions of its Nature Basket and the WOLF programs. Each program is geared to teaching children about nature and the environment. All nature programs are offered free to the community, but class size may be limited.

Posted in: Business, Crime, Events, Fall sports, News, School events, Sports |

Tags: Tags: AK Steel, AK Steel financial results, AK Steel financials, AK Steel West Chester, brian luscomb, brian luscomb Jack in the Box, Butler County common pleas, Butler County Common Pleas Court, Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, Deer Shelter at Keehner Park, jack in the box, Jack in the Box Cincinnati, Jack in the Box midwest, Jack in the Box Ohio, Jack in the Box West Chester, jobs, Judge Michael Sage, Keehner Park, Keehner Park log cabin, Keehner Park owl shelter, Keehner Park West Chester, Kyle Meadows, Kyle Meadows Florida State, Kyle Meadows football recruiting, Kyle Meadows Lakota West, Lakota Educator of Excellence Award, Lakota Local Schools, Lakota West football, Lakota West sports, Michael Sage, Nature Basket, Station Road Schoolhouse, WCL Community Foundation, West Chester business news, West Chester jobs, West Chester Nature Basket program, West Chester restaurant opening, West Chester restaurants, WOLF, WOLF program

Lakota Local Schools will soon host golf outings where proceeds will benefit its students.

Lakota East's Ben Gallow watches a tee shot during tournament play this past season. Photo taken by Gary Landers.

Next Saturday, May 5, Lakota East golf program will be hosting its 14th annual golf scramble at Weatherwax Golf Course in Middletown. The event will begin with a shot gun start at approximately 1:45 p.m.

The scramble format includes four-person teams. The cost is $100 per player, which includes 18 holes of golf, cart, beverages, awards and dinner after the event. There is a 30-team limit.

Proceeds will benefit the golf teams at Lakota East.

Meanwhile, there will also be The Kristin Renneker Memorial Golf Outing at Walden Ponds Golf and Country Club in Hamilton Saturday, June 16. This event will support the Kristin Renneker Memorial Scholarship Fund.

The scholarship is named for Kristin Renneker, who died in an automobile accident during her senior year at Lakota in 1992.

According to the Community Foundation’s website, Renneker was an honor student, peer counselor and a two-sport varsity athlete (basketball and soccer). She was one of the tri-captains of her varsity basketball team, recipient of the Thunderbird Award in both sports and had earned a 3.6 grade point average.

Kristin Renneker. Photo provided.

“It is critical that we maintain Lakota’s scholarship fund traditions of the past, remind the community of the goodness that lived in Kristin’s heart and how the Lakota athletic boosters and the Renneker’s turned her tragic death into yearly blessings for future Lakota female athletes”, Lakota West head basketball coach Andy Fishman said.

The scholarship, which is held by the Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty, awards two students – one from Lakota East High School and another from Lakota West High School – with a $2,000 scholarship. To date, the Scholarship fund has awarded more than $56,000 to 28 student athletes at Lakota East and Lakota West.

For more information about each event, contact the athletic departments at 513-759-8622 for Lakota East and at 513-682-4111 for Lakota West. Flyers and donor forms can also be found at Westfirebirds.com and at Eastthunderhawks.com (right-hand side). Sponsorship opportunities are also available for the Kristin Renneker Memorial Scholarship outing and can be made by contacting the Community Foundation at 513-874-5450.

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Community Foundation, Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, Kristin Renneker, Kristin Renneker Memorial Scholarship, Lakota charity, Lakota East, Lakota East golf, Lakota East Sports, Lakota scholarship, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West golf, Lakota West sports, WCL Community Foundation, Weatherwax Golf Course

The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty recently honored two educators awarding each of them its Lakota Educator of Excellence Award.

Jenny Haynes, a second grade teacher at Woodland Elementary, and Tim Shaffer, assistant principal at Lakota West High School, received the awards and were selected from nominations received from peers, parents and students in the community.

To help share each educator’s story, the Community Foundation produced videos that included interviews from parents and fellow Lakota staff members.

Posted in: Events, News, Schools |

Tags: Tags: Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, Jenny Haynes, Jenny Haynes Woodland Elementary, Lakota Educator of Excellence Award, Lakota Local Schools, WCL Community Foundation, Woodland Elementary

The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty recently honored two educators awarding each of them its Lakota Educator of Excellence Award.

Jenny Haynes, a second grade teacher at Woodland Elementary, and Tim Shaffer, assistant principal at Lakota West High School, received the awards and were selected from nominations received from peers, parents and students in the community.

To help share each educator’s story, the Community Foundation produced videos that included interviews from parents and fellow Lakota staff members.

Posted in: Events, News, Schools |

Tags: Tags: Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, Lakota Educator of Excellence Award, Lakota Local Schools, Lakota West, Lakota West High School, Tim Shaffer, Tim Shaffer Lakota West, WCL Community Foundation

Jenny Haynes, a second grade teacher at Woodland Elementary, and Tim Shaffer, assistant principal at Lakota West High School, each received the Lakota Educator of Excellence Award April 19, 2012. Photo provided by ElitePhotography.com.

The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty honored two educators Thursday awarding each of them its Lakota Educator of Excellence Award.

Jenny Haynes, a second grade teacher at Woodland Elementary, and Tim Shaffer, assistant principal at Lakota West High School, received the awards and were selected from nominations received from peers, parents and students in the community.

In addition to the recognition, the educators received a $2,000 grant award to be used for a special project within their school.

Posted in: Events, News, School events |

Tags: Tags: Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, Lakota Educator of Excellence Award, Lakota Local Schools, WCL Community Foundation

The Youth In Philanthropy (YIP) advisory board of The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty is seeking new members for the 2012-2013 school year.

YIP, an initiative of the Community Foundation is a program designed to introduce local high school students to philanthropy and community. Interested students will need to be in grades 9-12 during the 2012-2013 school year. Student must live in West Chester or Liberty Township and have a passion to make a difference in our community.

Youth in Philanthropy empowers the youth in our community by providing them with an opportunity to experience all aspects of the charitable world. YIP Members will raise money, become educated about the charities and causes in our community, identify issues and make grants to support those programs most important to them.

Applications are available through the Foundation’s website at www.wclfoundation.com or by calling 513-874-5450. Students will need to complete an application and return the application during an informational meeting to be held at The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty Monday, May 21 at 7:30 p.m.

Posted in: News, Schools |

Tags: Tags: Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, WCL Community Foundation, YIP, Youth In Philanthropy

The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty will celebrate its growth and accomplishments throughout the past year with its annual dinner on Thursday, April 19 at the Savannah Center in West Chester.

For the first time, the annual dinner will feature a Fund Fair, which will provide an opportunity for the community to chat with the many fund holders doing charitable work in the community.

The 3 little Halos fund is one of many funds within the Community Foundation. It was created in memory of Aubrey, Alex and Braden Butler, who passed away in November of 2007 as a result of a fire in their West Chester home. The fund is used to assist local organizations to ensure a safe environment for children. Photo provided.

Below are a few of the funds within the Community Foundation:

• The Angel Fund – providing one-time financial assistance to families in need.
• 3 little Halos Fund – educating our youngest on safety in all aspects of life.
• Give HOPE: Pancreatic Cancer Research and Awareness Fund – raising dollars for local pancreatic cancer research.
• Community Kids Fund – a giving circle for 4th, 5th and 6th graders who focus on awarding grants to benefit youth.
• Youth in Philanthropy – a group of high school students who award grants to benefit youth.
• Companions on a Journey Fund – support for those grieving from the loss of a loved one.

The Fund Fair begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by the dinner at 7:15 p.m.

The event will also feature keynote speaker Melanie Sabelhaus, who is the first woman deputy administrator of the U.S. Small Business Association.

Culminating the evening will be the presentation of two Lakota Educator of Excellence Awards to deserving educators, who were nominated by the community and chosen by their peers in the Lakota School System.

Tickets to the event are $50 per person, which also includes dinner. To RSVP by April 16, contact the foundation at 513-874-5450.

The Savannah Center is located 5533 Chappell Crossing Blvd.

For more information about the Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty, visit www.wclfoundation.com.

Posted in: Events, News |

Tags: Tags: 3 little Halos, charity, Community Foundation annual dinner, Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, Lakota Educator of Excellence Awards, Melanie Sabelhaus, WCL Community Foundation

To let West Chester and Liberty Township residents catch up with the news that they need to know, WestChesterBuzz.com will list and link to all of last week’s top local stories every Monday.

Lakota West senior Zak Farmer pitches during a 9-2 loss against Mason Monday, March 26, 2012. Photo by Adam Kiefaber.

High school baseball begins – Last Monday, both Lakota West and Lakota East began the 2012 baseball season with a loss during the inaugural Reds Future High School Showcase at Prasco Park Legacy Field in Mason. Lakota West lost by the score of 9-2 against rival Mason, while Lakota East lost to Hamilton 4-2.

Scholarship created to honor student involved in fatal wreck – The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty announced last Monday that it has established a scholarship fund to honor a Lakota West student, who died after being involved in a fatal car wreck March 16. The Ezekiel “Zeke” Stepaniak Memorial Scholarship will be awarded annually to a student at Lakota West High School that exhibits Stepaniak’s qualities.

Lakota Superintendent Karen Mantia. Photo taken by Tony Jones.

Lakota seeks students’ input on cuts – Cincinnati Enquirer Michael D. Clark reported that Lakota Superintendent Karen Mantia is reaching out to some of those hardest hit by Lakota’s recent $10.5 million in budget cuts – students. Mantia said during Monday evening’s Lakota school board meeting that she will invite students in May to discuss in person the sweeping changes.

Jack in the Box could open in mid-July – A spokesperson with Jack in the Box said last week that it is “only a matter of days” before the company breaks ground on its first restaurant in Ohio. The location, off Tylersville Road near I-75 in West Chester, is expected to be open by mid-July. The target date of the opening could be changed to due weather.

Rogers declared winner after recount – Last week’s recount in the Butler County commission race confirmed that T.C. Rogers of West Chester Township won the Republican primary for Butler County commissioner. Rogers finished 13 votes ahead of former commissioner and State Rep. Courtney Combs. Rogers will face Democratic candidate Jodi Billerman of Liberty Township and Libertarian Daryl Olthaus of Somerville in the November election.

Lakota West pitcher Ashley Sharp pitches in a 6-2 win against Lakota East Friday, March 30, 2012. Photo by Joseph Fuqua II.

Amylin shares soar on takeover bid – Cincinnati Enquirer’s Mike Boyer reported that shares of drug-maker Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc. in West Chester Township soared 54 percent Wednesday after a report that the company rejected a $3.5 billion unsolicited takeover bid from Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. Shares of the San Diego-based company closed at $23.77 – up $8.38 in more than 10 times normal trading – after Bloomberg News reported the company had rejected the $22-a-share offer.

Lakota West defeated Lakota East in softball – On Friday, Lakota West won its fourth straight against its school district rival. The latest coming by way of a 6-2 victory over the Thunderhawks. Last season, Lakota East was ranked No. 1 in the state for most of the spring and lost only three of its 31 games. All three losses came at the hand of the Firebirds, including one that eliminated Lakota East in the state quarterfinals.

Posted in: Board of Education, Business, Election, Government, Levy news, News, Schools, Sports, Spring sports |

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