WestChesterBuzz.com

Lakota community comes together after fatal wreck

WestChesterBuzz.com will count down the area’s top 12 stories of 2012 this month, concluding with West Chester most discussed topic of the year on Sunday, Dec. 30.

STORY POSTED FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 2012

Just a week ago, Lakota West junior Ezekiel “Zeke” Stepaniak experienced a typical day.

He met his closest friends in Jason French’s classroom before the school day began – laughing, joking and vociferously talking.

Later, in Michelle Day’s English class, he dozed off and was awakened by Day spraying him with a water bottle, the class erupting with laughter.

Then it was off to boost the spirits of his fellow co-workers at McDonalds – where he made days working at a fast food restaurant fun, rather than a chore.

The end of the day was spent hanging out with friends and family.

And on it went – sleep, wake up then repeat.

Zeke Stepaniak. Photo provided.

But, last Friday night, things changed.

Stepaniak’s life was unexpectedly taken after he wrecked his car where West Chester and Liberty Township meet at the intersection of Hamilton-Mason Road and Ohio 747. Four other Lakota teens, including Lakota West sophomore Ashley Stacy, were in the car. After suffering serious injuries, Stacy was taken to Miami Valley Hospital.

• Two families who refuse to let tragedy divide them

The news spread throughout Saturday once Zeke was pronounced dead by the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office.

Zeke’s friends, juniors Zac Payne, Steven Miner and Jonathan Jung, were among the first people building a memorial at the crash site, which is located along the fence of Heritage Elementary School.

“It didn’t feel real at all,” Payne said of setting up the memorial.

“We all gathered around and it was just silent for the longest time. You hugged everybody you saw. People you hadn’t talked to in years were coming up to you to make sure that we were all right.”

It was Zeke, who helped Payne feel welcome after his family moved from Indianapolis when he was in the fifth grade. Zeke, who lived five houses down, invited the “new kid” to trick-or-treat with him. They remained close friends since.

“I keep telling everyone that it could have been anyone,” Payne said. “If you want to end on bad terms with somebody, no matter how long it’s been or what the cause was, always know that it could be worse. We just realized how much we took for granted.” (more…)

Posted in: News, Schools |

Tags: Tags: Ashley Stacy, Drews Mitchell, Ezekieal Stephaniak, Ezekieal Zeke Stepaniak, Lakota West, Lakota West High School, Lakota West student death, Nathan Phu, West Chester McDonalds, West Chester top 12 stories of 2012, West Chester top stories of 2012, Zeke Stepaniak

The first annual Zeke Stepaniak Memorial Fund Kickball Tournament will take place Sept. 15-16 and 22-23 at Lakota West High School.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the Zeke Stepaniak Memorial Fund, created to honor the Lakota West student, who died after being involved in a fatal car wreck March 16.

Zeke Stepaniak. Photo provided

The Ezekiel “Zeke” Stepaniak Memorial Scholarship will be awarded annually to a student at Lakota West High School that exhibits Stepaniak’s qualities. The inaugural award will be presented to Stepaniak’s graduating class in 2013.

Stepaniak was known among the student body, the Lakota staff and in the community, as a person who smiled all the time and was never angry.

“The thing about Zeke, that amazed me, was that he was always kind to everyone,” said Michelle Day, Stepaniak’s English teacher. “He never met a stranger. He was just a very laid back, sincere person.”

• Story: Lakota community comes together after fatal wreck
• Story: Community mourns the loss of a student
• Students wear classmate’s colors to honor his memory
• Lakota West students thinking about classmate in ICU

The closest to Stepaniak describe him as person that puts his friends and family ahead of himself.

“He did everything for all of his friends,” classmate and close friend Jonathan Jung said. “If you call him at 2 a.m. and you don’t have a ride, he will come get you. He also put family first before anything.”

His upbeat personality didn’t end at school or at home, he also showed that side everywhere he went – including at work.

“He was the type of person that you couldn’t be angry when you were around him. He wouldn’t allow it,” McDonalds assistant manager Amy Sargent said. “You could not have a smile on your face. He made this place not feel like work. He made it feel like we were hanging out and making the occasional sandwich. He just lit up the room, the second he walked in.”

Contributions to the Ezekiel “Zeke” Stepaniak Memorial Scholarship Fund can be made by sending a check to:

The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty
Attn: Ezekiel ‘Zeke” Stepaniak Memorial Scholarship Fund
5641 Union Centre Drive
West Chester, OH 45069

Or online at www.wclfoundation.com and using the “Donate Now” feature.

For more information about the tournament, visit its Facebook page.

Posted in: Events, News, Recreational events, School events, Schools |

Tags: Tags: Community Foundation, Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, Ezekieal Stephaniak, Ezekieal Zeke Stepaniak, Lakota West, Lakota West High School, Lakota West student death, WCL Community Foundation, West Chester McDonalds, Zeke Stepaniak, Zeke Stephaniak Kickball Tournament, Zeke Stephaniak Memorial Fund Kickball Tournament

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 |

Tags: Tags: Amylin, Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc., Butler County Board of Elections, Butler County commission race, Butler County Election 2012, Chuck Furmon, Community Foundation, Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, Courtney Combs, Ezekieal Stephaniak, Ezekieal Zeke Stepaniak, 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, Karen Manita, Karen Mantia, Lakota, Lakota cuts, Lakota East, Lakota East baseball, Lakota East softball, Lakota East Sports, Lakota Local Schools, Lakota Superintendent Dr. Karen Mantia, Lakota Superintendent Karen Mantia, Lakota West, Lakota West High School, Lakota West softball, Lakota West sports, Lakota West student death, Liberty Township election, Ohio election 2012, reductions, school levy, Superintendent Dr. Karen Mantia, superintendent Karen Mantia, T.C. Rogers, WCL Community Foundation, West Chester election, West Chester McDonalds, West Chester restaurant opening, West Chester restaurants, Zeke Stepaniak

The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty announced 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, according to the announcement. The inaugural award will be presented to Stepaniak’s graduating class in 2013.

Zeke Stepaniak. Photo provided

“The thing about Zeke, that amazed me, was that he was always kind to everyone,” said Michelle Day, Stepaniak’s English teacher. “He never met a stranger. He was just a very laid back, sincere person.”

• Story: Lakota community comes together after fatal wreck
• Story: Community mourns the loss of a student
• Students wear classmate’s colors to honor his memory
• Lakota West students thinking about classmate in ICU

The ones closest to Stepaniak describe him as person that puts his friends and family ahead of himself.

“He did everything for all of his friends,” junior classmate Jonathan Jung said. “If you call him at 2 a.m. and you don’t have a ride, he will come get you. He also put family first before anything.”

His upbeat personality didn’t end at school or at home, he also showed that side everywhere he went – including at work.

“He was the type of person that you couldn’t be angry when you were around him. He wouldn’t allow it,” McDonalds assistant manager Amy Sargent said. “You could not have a smile on your face. He made this place not feel like work. He made it feel like we were hanging out and making the occasional sandwich. He just lit up the room, the second he walked in.”

Contributions to the Ezekiel “Zeke” Stepaniak Memorial Scholarship Fund can be made by sending a check to:

The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty
Attn: Ezekiel ‘Zeke” Stepaniak Memorial Scholarship Fund
5641 Union Centre Drive
West Chester, OH 45069

Or online at www.wclfoundation.com and using the “Donate Now” feature.

Posted in: News, Schools |

Tags: Tags: Community Foundation, Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, Ezekieal Stephaniak, Ezekieal Zeke Stepaniak, Lakota West, Lakota West High School, Lakota West student death, WCL Community Foundation, West Chester McDonalds, Zeke Stepaniak

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.

Community leader passes away – The West Chester and Liberty township communities grieved the loss A. Christian Worrell III, who was responsible for the Graydon Head Legal Counsel Butler/Warren Office and was a member of countless local committees. Worrell’s funeral took place last Tuesday afternoon.

T.C. Rogers. File photo.

My Furry Valentine to come back – The organizer for My Furry Valentine, a large pet adoption event that took place throughout Cincinnati, said that she expects to host another event next February. This past February, the main event was in West Chester. There have also been discussions to add another large pet adoption event in the summer or in the early fall.

Rogers keeps lead in commission vote – Political newcomer T.C. Rogers kept his edge over Courtney Combs as the Republican nominee for Butler County Commissioner last Tuesday when absentee and provisional ballots were counted. But the race is destined for an automatic recount by law because the margin is less than half of 1 percent. The recount is expected to take place this Monday.

West Chester playing role in Ohio’s economic development – The Atlanta-based magazine Site Selection awarded Ohio and Governor John Kasich first place in its annual Governor’s Cup rankings. The Governor’s Cup, which was announced in its March issue, ranks the 50 states according to their success in attracting capital investment projects. West Chester Township played a role in the state’s accomplishment.

Ezekiel "Zeke" Stepaniak. Photo provided.

The Cone opens for the season – A West Chester landmark and popular location in the summer, The Cone, officially opened for the season last Thursday with a surprise opening night. The seasonal destination is open from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Saturday and from noon to 9 p.m. Sunday.

Lakota community comes together after fatal wreck – Lakota West High School and others in the school community mourned the loss of one its students – junior Ezekiel “Zeke” Stepaniak – and prayed for the recovery of another student – sophomore Ashley Stacy. Throughout the week, students showed their support in many ways.

Office Depot donates $97,000 in supplies to Lakota – The Lakota school district announced that it received $97,000 worth of office supplies from Office Depot. According to school officials, Office Depot donated 79,000 items that included highlighters, pens, trash bags, paper towels, batteries, glue sticks and binders.

Posted in: Events, News, Schools |

Tags: Tags: Ashley Stacy, Butler County Board of Elections, Butler County commission race, Butler County Election 2012, Butler County United Way Board of Trustees, Chris Worrell, Chris Worrell III, Chris Worrell III obit, Chris Worrell obit, Christian Worrell III, Christian Worrell III obit, Chuck Furmon, Courtney Combs, Drews Mitchell, Ezekieal Stephaniak, Ezekieal Zeke Stepaniak, Graydon Head, Graydon Head Legal Counsel, Lakota West, Lakota West High School, Lakota West student death, Liberty Township election, My Furry Valentine Cincinnati, My Furry Valentine Northern Kentucky, My Furry Valentine West Chester, Office Depot, Office Depot donates to schools, Ohio election 2012, Pet Adoption Day, pet adoption West Chester, Site Selection, T.C. Rogers, The Cone, The Cone West Chester, West Chester business, West Chester business news, West Chester election, West Chester jobs, West Chester McDonalds, Zeke Stepaniak

Just a week ago, Lakota West junior Ezekiel “Zeke” Stepaniak experienced a typical day.

He met his closest friends in Jason French’s classroom before the school day began – laughing, joking and vociferously talking.

Later, in Michelle Day’s English class, he dozed off and was awakened by Day spraying him with a water bottle, the class erupting with laughter.

Then it was off to boost the spirits of his fellow co-workers at McDonalds – where he made days working at a fast food restaurant fun, rather than a chore.

The end of the day was spent hanging out with friends and family.

And on it went – sleep, wake up then repeat.

Zeke Stepaniak. Photo provided.

But, last Friday night, things changed.

Stepaniak’s life was unexpectedly taken after he wrecked his car where West Chester and Liberty Township meet at the intersection of Hamilton-Mason Road and Ohio 747. Four other Lakota teens, including Lakota West sophomore Ashley Stacy, were in the car. After suffering serious injuries, Stacy was taken to Miami Valley Hospital.

The news spread throughout Saturday once Zeke was pronounced dead by the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office.

Zeke’s friends, juniors Zac Payne, Steven Miner and Jonathan Jung, were among the first people building a memorial at the crash site, which is located along the fence of Heritage Elementary School.

“It didn’t feel real at all,” Payne said of setting up the memorial.

“We all gathered around and it was just silent for the longest time. You hugged everybody you saw. People you hadn’t talked to in years were coming up to you to make sure that we were all right.”

It was Zeke, who helped Payne feel welcome after his family moved from Indianapolis when he was in the fifth grade. Zeke, who lived five houses down, invited the “new kid” to trick-or-treat with him. They remained close friends since.

“I keep telling everyone that it could have been anyone,” Payne said. “If you want to end on bad terms with somebody, no matter how long it’s been or what the cause was, always know that it could be worse. We just realized how much we took for granted.”

On Sunday afternoon, Lakota West opened its doors and allowed students to speak to grief counselors. One student, junior Morgan Stacy, was especially upset.

Ashley Stacy. Photo provided.

Her younger sister Ashley still had not woken up. Ashley had no idea that she was in the hospital, that Zeke had passed away or that her older sister was back home – worried.

“She is someone I have seen as a leader,” Lakota West guidance counselor Drews Mitchell said of Morgan. “She came in on Sunday and was very raw in her emotions, obviously, but at the same time saying thanks to everyone for coming together.”

The following day, the first one back at school on Monday, was extremely tough.

“I really didn’t want to wake up,” Steven Miner said. “Our whole group met in the community room that morning with the grief counselor and I didn’t think that day was ever going to end. It just kept going on and on. I actually only made it through two classes, but it just seemed like hours and hours.”

That morning in French’s classroom, the typical loud talking and laughter was subdued to tears and silence. In Day’s English class, only an empty seat remained in the place of her class’ most entertaining student.

“It is a presence that we will all miss in that class,” Day said. “It was kind of the running joke in our class, ‘how quickly is Zeke going to pass out from Ms. Day’s talking?’

“I told (Lakota West principal Richard) Mr. Hamilton on Sunday, the hardest thing for me will be going to school and seeing that empty desk. And that was the most challenging thing for me and watching these guys (Zeke’s friends) – knowing how it is going to affect their lives.”

Despite the grieving, something amazing happened at the high school this week. (more…)

Posted in: News, Schools |

Tags: Tags: Ashley Stacy, Drews Mitchell, Ezekieal Stephaniak, Ezekieal Zeke Stepaniak, Lakota West, Lakota West High School, Lakota West student death, Nathan Phu, West Chester McDonalds, Zeke Stepaniak

Lakota West High School students honor classmate Ashley Stacy, a sophomore, on Tuesday after she was seriously injuried in a car crash Friday night. Photo provided.

For the second consecutive day, students at Lakota West wore the favorite color of a fellow classmate who was involved in a crash Friday night.

Ashley Stacy. Photo provided.

On Tuesday, approximately 1,500 Lakota West students, most of which wore the color blue, gathered for a photo (larger version) at the school’s Main Street hallway to honor sophomore Ashley Stacy who was serious injured in a car accident Friday night.

Stacy was a passenger in a car driven by Lakota West junior Ezekiel “Zeke” Stepaniak, who was later pronounced dead by the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office after crashing at the intersection of Hamilton-Mason Road and Ohio 747.

Stacy had surgery Monday at Miami Valley Hospital, where she remained in the intensive care unit on Tuesday.

On Monday, another large group of students wearing Stepaniak’s favorite colors of green and yellow gathered for a photo at the high school. The photo was taken to honor him and will be sent to his family in Liberty Township.

For more on this story, visit westchesterbuzz.com/tag/zeke-stepaniak.

Posted in: News, Schools |

Tags: Tags: Ashley Stacy, Cameron Winters, Ezekieal Stephaniak, Ezekieal Zeke Stepaniak, Lakota West, Lakota West student death, Nathan Phu, Zeke Stepaniak

Students at Lakota West High School wore the favorite colors of a fellow classmate, who died in a automobile crash Friday night, to honor his memory on Monday.

Lakota West High School students honor the memory of Zeke Stepaniak on their first day back at school since Stepaniak died after he crashed his car over the weekend. Photo provided.

Roughly 1,500 Lakota West students, most of which donned the colors of yellow and green, gathered at the school’s Main Street hallway for a group photo. The photo (larger version) will be sent to the family of Lakota West High School junior Ezekiel “Zeke” Stepaniak of Liberty Township.

“I’ve never seen such an outpouring of love and sincere willingness to comfort each other,” said Michelle Day, Stepaniak’s English teacher.

On Friday night, Stephaniak was attempting to turn onto Hamilton-Mason Road from southbound Ohio 747 when the 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt he was driving was struck by a 2001 Cadillac driven by James Moore of Liberty Township who was traveling north on Ohio 747, according to report from the Butler County Sheriff’s Office.

Stepaniak, 17, was pronounced dead by the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office on Saturday. Meanwhile, another passenger, sophomore Ashley Stacy, 16, was taken to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton for serious injuries.

As of Sunday night, Stacy’s condition has improved according to a release from the school district. On Monday, Stacy had successful surgery and is in the ICU.

• Lakota West students honor Ashley Stacy

Furthermore, three other passengers sophomores Cameron Winters and Nathan Phu, both of Lakota West, and sophomore Rudi Danquah of Lakota East have all been treated and released.

After the crash, which occurred shortly before 11 p.m. Friday, the Lakota West community quickly set up a memorial near the site of the crash. According to Lakota West parent Jim Novak of Liberty Township, a candlelight vigil attracted about 300 people to the memorial site Saturday night.

Zeke Stepaniak. Photo provided.

Day described Stepaniak, as full of life, spontaneous, kind, calm and patient with people. He had wisdom that belied his relatively young age, she said.

“He was a kid who liked everybody,” she said.

Lakota West principal Richard Hamilton described Stepaniak to Enquirer reporter Paul McKibben as popular with lots of friends as well as being was a good student. He played in-line hockey and bowled. He also enjoyed video games, super hero comics, basketball and football. A video game controller was placed at the memorial.

“Zeke Stepaniak was a terrific young man,” said Hamilton. “He was a bright, caring individual who will be missed throughout the Lakota West community.”

Chris Gay, 20, a Lakota West graduate who now attends the University of Cincinnati, bowled with Stepaniak. Gay left a bowling towel at the memorial. Gay said Stepaniak was fun loving who “just made everybody happy that he was around.”

Paul McKibben contributed to this story

Posted in: News, Schools |

Tags: Tags: Ashley Stacy, Cameron Winters, Ezekieal Stephaniak, Ezekieal Zeke Stepaniak, Lakota West, Lakota West student death, Nathan Phu, Zeke Stepaniak