Banquet shows impact teachers have

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Three teachers made a difference in retired school psychologist Randy Gardner’s life. Because of their impact on him, 10 Van Wert teachers had the chance Monday evening to understand how they have influenced their own students.

The 16th annual Van Wert City Endowment Fund for Educators Banquet is a time to honor education — and educator who have made a difference in some of their students’ lives.

Gardner began the program back in 1996 to honor his grandfather, teacher Ralph Gallapoo, and two of Gallapoo’s colleagues, famed football coach and high school math teacher Gil Smith and biology instructor Glen Livingston, for their impact on his life.

This year, the top seven seniors at Van Wert High School, based on grade point average, read letters they wrote for their favorite teachers.

This year’s letters were written by Darci Dull for teacher Kathy Inniger, by Briana Mercer for teacher Deb Chiles, by Renee Chen for teacher Deb Kelly, by Ben Price for teacher Mary Kramer, by Rebecca Ries for teacher Sandy Adams, by Kevin Yeung for teacher Myrna Hamrick, by Ashley Mohr for teacher Dave Kleman, by Johnathan Haggis for teacher Linda Thomas, by Erin Patterson for teacher Bob Spath and by Ryan Todd for guidance counselor Ed Clark.

The students’ letters talked about how much their favorite teachers had done for them and how they were impacted by their caring actions and dedicated teaching. It was, for some teachers, the first time they had the chance to hear what they had done for a student, and it was sometimes a very emotional experience for both teacher and student.

Former VWHS principal Wally Grimm talked about the fact that teachers have an impact on students that goes beyond the 10 seniors who read letters Monday evening. “Some of you may never know, but rest assured, you have touched the lives of young people and shaped them,” Grimm told his colleagues.

Gardner also announced the winner of the $7,000 VWCS Teacher Fellowship begun a few years ago by his best friend, Tom Compton, who was unable to be at the banquet on Monday. This year’s winner, Kathleen Overmeyer, is using the money to travel to the Central American country of Belize (formerly British Honduras) this summer to study conservation programs there.

Also honored during the banquet were 12 Van Wert teachers who are retiring this year. The teachers, Paul Owsley (35 years), Marcia German (35 years), Sue Ellinger (29 years), Bev Fortney (26 years), Beth Stemen (33 years), Deb Yackee (35 years), Chris Heizman (36 years), Ginny Jones (37 years), Gail McKinnon (31 years), Cathy Phlipot (35 years) and Chuck Stammen (35 years), were also presented with school bells in appreciation for their service to the district.