WCSM Back to School Week highlights athletics, music and student opportunities at St. Marys

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WCSM’s Back to School Week continued Thursday at St. Marys Memorial High School with conversations about football, the school’s music program, district finances, alumni activities and FFA.

Head football coach Bo Frye was joined by three junior players as the Roughriders prepared for Friday’s regular-season finale at Elida. St. Marys enters the game with a 6-3 record and could secure a home playoff game with a victory. Frye said the team has continued to improve and remains committed to the physical, run-first style taught throughout the program.

Band director Maddy Frankenhauser discussed a program that includes approximately 130 high school marching band members and about 400 students from fifth through 12th grade. Students Hattie Patterson, Gil Axe and Owen Brotherwood shared their musical backgrounds, experiences in marching and jazz band and plans after graduation. Frankenhauser said one of the most rewarding parts of her work is teaching students over several years and developing relationships with their families.

Superintendent Bill Ruane and Treasurer Andy Wilker explained the financial pressures facing St. Marys and other Ohio public schools. They said district funding supports transportation, special education, technology, mental-health services, school safety, career-technical programs and facility maintenance in addition to classroom instruction.

Wilker said St. Marys could lose nearly $1 million annually in state funding under changes to Ohio’s funding formula. Ruane and Wilker also discussed inflation, state mandates, property taxes, voucher funding and the increasing burden placed on local taxpayers. They encouraged residents with questions to contact the district directly.

Dianna Dominguez and Kim Reiher of the Memorial High School Alumni Association discussed the organization’s scholarships, school projects and Hall of Fame activities. They also previewed the second Roughrider Veterans Talk, scheduled for November 7th at 6:30 p.m. at the St. Marys Theater.

The event will feature stories involving local veterans who served during World War II, the Civil War, the Vietnam War and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The association’s second “Hometown Heroes of St. Marys” book will also be available. The first 200 people attending will receive a free copy of a separate book about 103-year-old St. Marys native and World War II pilot Richard Bushong.

The day concluded with St. Marys senior Allison discussing her experience in FFA. She has participated in the organization since eighth grade and has competed in livestock and dairy judging, soils and other events. She has also attended state and national conventions and earned her State FFA Degree.

Allison, who also participates in soccer and track, plans to study exercise science and pursue a career in occupational therapy. She said St. Marys teachers and staff have helped prepare her for college and supported her throughout the application process.