Kirtland Chronicle 6-07-2024

Hornets Win Flag Football Championship

By AlAn KornspAn sports@KArlovecmediA com

The Kirtland Hornets won the 2024 Northeast Ohio High School Flag Football Championship on May 6 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

To win the title, the Hornets won three straight tournament games over Lutheran East, Hawken and Mayfield.

Then, in the title game, the Hornets defeated the Berkshire Badgers, 6-0.

Coming into the tournament, the Hornets were focused on having fun and seeing how far they could get.

“We’re just out here having fun, seeing how far we can go,” said Kirtland Head Coach Tiger LaVerde. “No pressure, it's all about fun tonight. Being in Browns Stadium is very special.”

To get to Cleveland Browns Stadium for the Flag Football playoffs, the Hornets were one of the top teams in the area during the regular season.

In fact, their 6-2 regular season record gave the Hornets a first round bye.

After the bye, the Hornets faced the Lutheran East Falcons in the second round.

Clicking on all cylinders, the Hornets defeated the Falcons 30-0.

Afterward, Kennedy Boyd and Nina Loncar discussed the Hornets excellent performance.

Loncar said that the Hornets focused on running simple but very effective plays and that the victory over the Falcons was a lot of fun.

Boyd, who threw two touchdown passes and ran for another, said that the team was motivated early because they had aspirations of winning the championship.

In throwing the touchdown passes, Boyd said that she realized that the Falcons were playing soft defense on Loncar.

“They weren't guarding Nina long, and I saw the opportunity, and she was wide open, so I just threw (the passes).”

Added Loncar, “Those (touchdown catches) were great. I got a pretty good quarterback.”

After defeating the Falcons, the Hornets advanced to the quarterfinals to take on the Hawken Hawks.

In a close contest against the Hawks, the Hornets rallied for a touchdown in the final minutes to defeat the Hawks, 14-7.

Post-game, quarterback Kristiana Katic said that when the Hornets got the ball back, they had to move quickly as there was little time left in the game.

“It was a good game, we really had to push ourselves,” said Katic. “It was 7-7 at one point, and we knew we had to fight back, and we had to make it quick.”

With the victory over the Hawks the Hornets advanced to the semiinals where they defeated the Mayfield Wildcats.

In the Championship Game, the Hornets took on the Berkshire Badgers, looking to avenge a regular season loss just a few weeks earlier.

Although the regular season contest against the Badgers was a high scoring affair, the Title Game was a close defensive battle in which the Hornets won 6-0.

To win the championship, the Hornets scored a touchdown in the final minutes when Boyd connected with Katic on a game winning

ship, Boyd said that the team was motivated to win the title.

“We were tied 0-0 going in to the half,” said Boyd. “We wanted this, we're 4-0 here (at Cleveland Browns Stadium), and we wanted to keep it that way.”

In talking about the championship game, Coach Laverde ex-

and then we scored on like 4th and 20,” said Coach LaVerde. “Kristiana Katic scored her first touchdown in the last game to win it, which is really cool.”

With winning the 2024 Northeast Ohio Flag Football Championship, the Hornets have now won three of the first four Flag Football titles.

Library Board Chooses New Director

A Note from the Mayor

June in Kirtland means at least one thing — the Kirtland Kiwanis Strawberry Festival and parade will bring the community and guests from all over in droves.

Year after year, it still astounds me how well Kiwanis organizes and operates the festival, and I’m sure this year will be no different. The festivities begin June 13 and at 5:30 p.m., several Western Lake County mayors will join me in the strawberry shortcake eating contest.

In addition to the local mayors, we’ve invited Lakeland Community College’s new President, Dr. Sunil Ahuja. President Ahuja is a newcomer to our community event, but I have no doubt he will be impressed by the spirit and vol unteerism that is so pervasive in Kirtland.

Congratulations are once again deserved for the Kirtland High School Flag Football Team as they won their third championship in four years. Led by Coach Tiger La Verde, the hornet ladies have once again staked claim to Kirtland having some of the best and brightest athletes in Northeast Ohio. Kirtland athletes, musicians and schol ars continue to make our city proud.

Thank you to former Zoning Inspector Rick Loconti for his service to our city over the last several years. Rick did more at the zoning position than anyone in recent memory with his balanced approach to zoning enforcement and oversight. Rick’s experience and knowledge greatly served our residents, businesses, Kirtland zoning board and contractors working in the city.

taught some of the most basic yet important life safety skills. This truly is a great program and is well supported by volunteers and donations from local businesses and residents.

This month, Kirtland City Council will be evaluating legislation that would give Kirtland voters the option to fund a road repair plan for the next 20 years. Once passed by council, the legislation would take form as a City Charter Amendment issue on the November ballot. If passed by Kirtland voters, the amendment would enable up to an additional one quarter of one percent income tax to be levied and spent on road projects only. The ballot language mandates the additional quarter percent would expire after 20 years.

After several months of discussion, city administration and council members agreed on asking voters to consider an income tax adjustment vs. a property tax levy to fund a comprehensive road paving and repair program.

For me, as well as many of our council members, respecting the fact an additional income tax does not impact retirement income for our seniors is very important. In the next weeks and months, I look forward to discussing the potential city charter change that can finally put the road funding question in Kirtland behind us.

I also want to thank all the volunteers that made Safety Town at city hall another huge success this past week. At the helm of this effort is my wife, Jeni Potter. Jeni puts in dozens of hours each year to make sure children entering kindergarten or first grade are

On a final note, thank you to the American Legion, Kirtland Kiwanis, the Kirtland High School Marching Band and Scout Troop 286 for their annual dedication to Kirtland’s Memorial Day Ceremony. This year was no exception in that the fallen men and women of the United States military were respectfully honored thanks to the efforts of these groups.

Thank you, Mayor Potter

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Mayor Kevin Potter

Kirtland Library

The Kirtland Public Library is located at 9267 Chillicothe Road. Hours are Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information about any of these programs or to register, please call the library at 440-256-7323 or visit www.kirtland.lib.oh.us

Summer Concert Events

All concerts, held at Kirtland Municipal Center Gazebo, are sponsored by the Friends of the Kirtland Public Library, the City of Kirtland and a grant from NOPEC.

Chardon Polka Band

June 19 • 7 p.m.

Enjoy some great polka music. Beauty Night and the Fungry Food Truck start up at 6 p.m.

Prime Time Big Band

June 26 • 7 p.m.

Celebrate our city with Prime Time Big Band and special guest, Debbie Gifford, to serenade everyone. The grill will be fired up for hotdogs and hamburgers for a donation at 6 p.m.

Blue Evolution

July 17 • 7 p.m.

Blue Evolution Band will make their Kirtland Municipal Center Gazebo debut for Faith night. Bring your friends and enjoy this British Invasion-inspired band. The fun starts at 6 p.m. Grab dinner from Down the Block at 6 p.m. at the Gazebo. Information tables from local churches will be set up for you for this faith night event.

Perfect Choice Band

July 24 • 7 p.m.

Perfect Choice is coming back. Bring a chair and listen to a great variety of popular songs. We will fire up the grill at 6 p.m. with hotdogs and hamburgers for a donation.

June Adult Clubs:

Color Me Calm

June 7 • 2:30 p.m.

Come relax and color with us. We supply the coloring pages, pencils and music. Feel free to bring your own supplies if you like. Just sign up and show up. Registration requested.

Cookbook Club

June 18 • 6:15 p.m.

Bring in a tea party type food celebrate June. Don’t forget your place setting and beverage. Sign up for more information.

No Pressure Book Discussion

June 24 • 1:30 p.m.

Join us in the Community Room to talk about books . . . any books you've read recently that you want to recommend to others. Bring a bagged lunch if you like.

Special Events:

Spillin’ the Beans

June 10 • 6 p.m.

If you have ever been to a coffeehouse and not known what to order? You are not alone. Come see what the brew ha-ha is all

about when Couchland Coffee describes all those fun and fancy coffee drinks. You'll learn a latte about java at this program.

Beach Glass Class

June 11 • 3 p.m. & 5 p.m.

Venture with us on another beach glass class with Sue Luck as our guide. All supplies included in the cost of $10 per person that will be collected at the door. Please sign up for one class only. This is for ages 16 and up. If you sign up and cannot make this event, please cancel your reservation as there usually is a waitlist.

Hough Bakery

June 12 • 6:30 p.m.

A special guest from the Western Reserve Historical Society will share the history behind the famous Hough Bakery and Archie Hough’s Bakery. This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Kirtland Public Library. Registration requested, as space is limited.

Culinary Class: Thailand

June 17 • 6 p.m.

Come sample a taste of Thailand. Enjoy some tasty food while you learn. Cost is $10 cash per person at the door to attend. Registration required.

CPR/AED Class

June 29 • 1:30 p.m.

CPR instructor Dan Smith will conduct a two-hour class on CPR and AED. This is an opportunity to learn life-saving CPR for heart savers (lay rescuers) through curriculum of the American Heart Association. Cost is $5.00 for the class and $20 for the class and the certification card. All money will be collected at the class and cash is requested. Please register for this event as space is limited.

Adult Summer Reading:

Adventure Begins at Your Library

Sign up for summer reading on the Read Squared App. We have lots of great prizes, thank to our local businesses. The program lasts from May 27 to July 20.

June Youth Programs

Summer Reading

Use the READsquared app to register for Summer Reading between May 29 and July 20. Summer Reading is for all ages. Log the minutes you read on the app and use those points to try for some great prizes. There are also terrific events happening at the library in June and July. Youth will earn 50 points for each event that they register for and attend.

Special Events:

Stories & More: Chalk & Bubbles

June 7 • 10:30 a.m.

Families with children aged 5 and under, enjoy Storytime, then explore activities that revolve around the same theme. In June, we will focus on chalk and bubbles.

Create your own chalk and bubble solution. Since the chalk will need to dry and the bubble solution works best when given a few days to rest, you will take those home and we will use the library’s chalk and bubbles at this event.

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We will be outdoors if the weather permits and please dress for mess. Earn 50 points towards your Summer Reading goal after attending this event. Please register for this event.

COSI Connects: Water

June 10 • 2 p.m.

Dr. Hans Pesch will demonstrate how to use the different elements of the water-themed COSI Connects Kit to explore science at home. The free kits, developed by COSI in partnership with the Ohio Library Council, are for students in kindergarten through grade 8. Each child will receive a kit to take home. Kids will receive 50 points toward Summer Reading. Please register everyone attending.

Teen Escape Room

June 13 • 2 p.m.

Rising sixth- to 12th-graders, upon entering the room, you will see a mysterious box that is enclosed by several locks. Solve the riddles and crack the codes to open all the locks keeping the mysterious box closed. Once you open the box, all attendees will share what is inside of it. Can you all open the box before time runs out? Earn 50 points towards your Summer Reading goal by attending this event. Please register for this event.

Cleveland Museum of Art

Studio Go

June 22 • 10:30 a.m.

Kids, bring your favorite adult. Studio Go, the traveling outreach program of the Cleveland Museum of Art, provides art-making activities for people of all ages, sparking curiosity and creating deeper connections to the greater Cleveland area. Children in kindergarten to fifth grade will create their own crafts. Kids will receive 50 points toward Summer Reading. Please register everyone attending.

Adventures in Camping

June 24 • 6:30 p.m.

Families, whether you love to camp or have never camped before (and even if you detest camping), spend an hour 'camping.' Make a personal first-aid kit and have a camping snack. Earn 50 points towards your Summer Reading goal by attending this event. Please register for this event.

Lake

Humane Society Visit

June 28 • 10:30 a.m.

Come browse the library's selection of children's pet books. The Lake Humane Society will be present with an adoptable pet. (The pet will not be adoptable onsite; adoption inquiries will be directed to LHS' website or adoption staff at the shelter.) Kids will receive 50 points toward Summer Reading. Please register every adult and every child attending.

Kiwanis Korner

By KAthy tAlty

Spring cleaning took place in many households with tons of treasures going to the Kirtland Kiwanis’s annual Rummage Sale.

This fundraiser is the cornerstone for keeping the scholarship program thriving and expanding. Thank you, Mary Sams, for your endless hours of hard work and great leadership which has made this year’s sale the most successful ever.

Our membership meeting, spearheaded by Rick Fox, was held on May 16 with more than a half a dozen potential members listening to our emcee, Kent Packard, review just a few of the many helpful projects we’ve done over the past year.

Getting ready for Memorial Day, Mike Sams led the Kiwanians through a busy day of weeding and mulching at the Veterans Memorial and the city hall’s gardens. Afterward, the group went over and helped Marilyn and Fran Raishart with their gardens. They are now ready for some lovely flowers to be planted. At our past meeting, Eagle Scout Walter Knoop of Troop 286, gave a presentation of his GAGA Ball Pit Eagle Project, which the scouts and helpers built outside Kirtland Elementary School. Walter raised most of the money from

the Kiwanis, American Legion and individual donors. The elementary students are really having a great time playing GAGA Ball now.

The annual Kirtland Strawberry Festival, which began in the 1960s, gets the summer rolling starting on June 13 through June 15. It is located at Kirtland Schools on state Route 306 and will not only have rides and strawberry shortcake eating contests, but great local bands, Robotics Club demonstrations, dunk tank, car smash, pony rides, Chalk Art contest and the crowning of Miss Kirtland.

Don’t miss the parade, which begins at 6:30 p.m. June 14.

May we give a shout out to a couple of special Kiwanians. Jane Carle received a standing ovation from the Kirtland Kiwanis for her outstanding 24-year service as director of the Kirtland Public Library. Also, Scott Haymer and the Campbell Plumbing and Drain Cleaning, have made it possible for the Kirtland Elementary School students and their families to have their annual, very fun, Kirtland Drive-In night.

And here’s a cowboy quote from our Kirtland Kiwanis president, Jerry Bartels: Don’t settle for average. Bring your best to the moment. Then, whether it fails or succeeds, at least you know you gave all you had.

I would like to thank our students, staff, family and community for a tre mendous school year! So many positives have taken place inside and outside the classroom that were led by our seniors. A spe cial thanks and congratulations to the Class of 2024. They led the district by example and set a positive tone for the rest of the student body to follow. Here are some amazing accomplishments from the Class of 2024.

• 8 - AP Scholars, 2 - AP Scholars with Honors, 11 - AP Scholars with Distinction

gaged in countless outreach activities

• 44 Students graduate with Honors

• 13 Cum Laude (3.750 - 3.999)

• 8 Magna Cum Laude (4.0 - 4.2490

• 23 Summa Cum Laude (4.25 +)

• 37 Students will graduate with a 4 Year Academic Letter

• 37 Students will graduate with an Honors Diploma

• 17 Students achieved over a 28+ on the ACT (12 w/ 30+)

• One student with a perfect ACT score (Adriana Freitas)

• 3 students achieved National Merit Commended Scholar status (Vincent Eveland, Adriana Freitas and Tabitha Blankenship)

• 23 Students graduated from Auburn Career Center

• One of those students qualified for the national tournament in her given field (Samantha Kissinger)

• One student earned a Bachelor's degree (Tabitha Blankenship)

• One students earned two Associate Degrees - Lakeland (Daniel Bak)

• Our Seniors had more than 5,250 hours of community service

• Academic Challenge took 2nd place on WEWS Academic Challenge show and Runner-up in the second annual CVC Academic Challenge Tournament

• Our National Honor Society Senior members logged over 525 hours of peer tutoring and 760 hours of service

• Our Key Club seniors $600 raised for Project Hope Sponsored the Charter to start a K-Kids Club at

• One Student Earned Distinguished Club President by the Ohio District Key Club (Drew Duncan)

• Our Drama Club put on a fantastic production of Moriarity’s Revenge this Spring

• Our Choir had 6 Public Performances this year, including OMEA District High School Band & Choir Festival held at CSU

• Our Band had over 25 Public Performances, and is truly the heartbeat of our school

Athletics:

• At least 6 Seniors committed to playing Athletics in College

• 10 Team Championships in the Chagrin Valley Conference the last 2 yrs

• 8 All Ohio Athletes

• 3 Chagrin Valley Most Valuable Players

• 25 ALL Chagrin Valley Conference 1st team award winners

• 11 All Chagrin Valley Conference 2nd team award winners

• 10 CVC Honorable Mentions

• 2x Football State Champions

• 1 Girls Soccer State Championship

Senior Shout Outs:

• A HUGE congratulations to senior Tabitha Blankenship who just earned her bachelor’s degree from Kent State on May 10, 2024, in Science in Information Technology before she graduates from Kirtland High!

• Congratulations to Aiden Whited on signing to go to school and play soccer at the University of Chester in England!

• Congratulations to senior Samantha Kissinger for qualifying for nationals after taking second place at states and first place at regionals in Interior Design. She is currently in Architecture Project Management at the Auburn Career Center. FCCLA Nationals are in Seattle, Washington at the end of July. Congratulations also to Jaden Attinato (Educator Career Pathways), Elena Drage (Patient Care Technician) and Luke Emlaw (Technology & Engineering Design) for qualifying for regionals and states.

• On May 20th, KHS hosted a military signing day as two students committed to serve our country in the military. Lucy Heller will be joining the AirForce as Security Force and Owen Teague will be joining the Army as an Infantry Airborne. Thank you for your commitment and dedication to our country!

The Class of 2024 will be missed and we wish you all the best in the future!

Thank you for your continued support

RENTAL

By Chad VanArnhem, Superintendent