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November 2008 |
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By MATT NICHOLS
Staff Writer
A former Wapakoneta law enforcement officer’s future is now in the hands of seven state Supreme Court justices.
Former Wapakoneta Police Chief Dave Harrison’s 6-year-old sex crime case reached the pinnacle in Ohio’s court system Wednesday, as justices heard arguments from Harrison’s attorney Dean Boland and state prosecutor Scott Longo.
Each party had 15 minutes to present their case to the justices. After both attorneys argued their cases, a single word in Harrison’s sentencing entry and a grilling delivered to Longo by justice Maureen O’Connor left Boland optimistic about his client’s future.
In June, 2003, Harrison plead guilty to a six-count bill of information after child pornography was found on his computer. After entering his plea, the man who served as police chief from 1988 to 2002 was sentenced to one year in jail.
Seven months after he completed his sentence, it was discovered by county prosecutors that Harrison should have been sentenced with an additional five years of mandatory post release control, or probation.
During a court hearing, Harrison was given the option to either be re-sentenced or withdraw his plea. Harrison chose the latter, taking things back to square one.
With the plea withdrawn, the state of Ohio slapped Harrison with a 23-count indictment which he was ultimately found guilty of and sentenced to six years in prison.
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Saturday, 30 August 2008 |
 A Waynesfield area native is now leading the band this year. The new band leader re-introduced band camp to the members in hopes of generating more interest into the program. Staff Photo/ William Laney
By KRISTA HAYES
Staff Writer
As Waynesfield-Goshen High School prepares to kick-off another school year Tuesday, it is also welcoming a new marching band director — Betsy Seipel.
Seipel, who is in her first year leading the band since former band director Michelle Snook resigned this summer, says that she has set many goals for her high school band composed of 21 students, grades seventh through high school seniors.
“This year we are setting our expectations higher,” Seipel said. “We want our students to have fun, but at the same time we want them to take pride in themselves and their school.”
“We want them to build a passion for music, while gaining a respect for it and how far it can take you in life,” said Alison Hedges, band director for the Waynesfield-Goshen Elementary and Middle schools, who also aides Seipel with the marching band program.
Despite the small number of students involved in the marching band and the lack of having field commanders or a flag corps, Seipel and Hedges said they plan to rebuild the marching band program and have developed an action plan to do so.
“Our first priority is that the kids enjoy themselves and that we give them a real sense of music,” Seipel said.
“I also believe that it is important that we keep in contact with all the staff and teachers at our schools, along with the student’s parents and the community, so that they are involved in the program as well,” Hedges said.
To prepare them for the upcoming football season, band members were required to attend band camp at the school earlier this month. Camp was held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 6 through Aug. 13. While at camp, students practiced marching during the morning hours, while their afternoons were filled with practicing show tunes at the local Lion’s Club. To mark the end of camp, band members attended the Wapakoneta WaterPark.
A hometown native, Seipel graduated from Waynesfield-Goshen in 2000. During her high school years, she participated in marching band as a clarinet player, until her senior year when she switched her main instrument to the tenor saxophone.
“After high school I went on to earn my degree in early childhood education from Ohio Northern University,” Seipel said. “While attending school, I marched in the marching band until I graduated in 2004.”
The bands’ theme shows for the football season this year include “The 1980s,” in which they will play “Centerfold,” by the J. Geils Band, “Livin’ on a Prayer,” by Jon Bon Jovi and “Day-O,” performed by Harry Belafonte; “Elvis Presley,” with songs “Jailhouse Rock,” “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” and “Hound Dog;” and “Pop Songs of Today,” including “Paralyzer,” by Finger Eleven, “Bad Day,” by Daniel Powter and “Girlfriend,” by Avril Lavigne.
The season ends with the last home-game featuring a senior show, in which the seniors will get to pick the theme.
“We also plan to get the students involved in performing in local parades, small band shows and possibly a school concert or two,” Seipel stated. “We also have the homecoming parade coming up in October and then concert band will start after football season is over.
“I am also trying to see if I can get the band to go and spend a day at Ohio Northern with the marching band members there and attend one of their football games,” she said. “In doing so, I hope that seeing another band perform will motivate and inspire my students in their music ability.”
For now, the band will continue to practice a couple times a week for three hours, not only at marching and mastering their instruments, but challenging themselves to prepare for football game shows.
“Last Friday when we had our first football game, you could tell by the students faces that they really enjoyed putting on a show for such a big crowd,” Seipel said. “Their attitudes had pulled a complete 360 from last year. They seemed to have a lot of fun and represented themselves and their school well, which is why we got a lot of positive feedback from the community.”
“Like our slogan says,” Hedges said, “it’s all about pride.”
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 02 September 2008 )
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