CHRONICLE
Hornets Baseball Starts Season 10-0
By aLan koRnspan spoRts@kaRLovecmeDia com
Throwing a lot of strikes, scoring a lot of runs, and fielding well often leads to great baseball.
Following this recipe to success, the 4th ranked Div. VI, Hornets Baseball Team is off to a great start. In fact, through ten games, they are a perfect 10-0.
KIRTLAND
while only allowing 5 earned runs over 20 innings. In addition, Paul has struckout 28 and only walked seven.
After defeating the Harvey Red Raiders, 15-2, on April 23, senior Max Paul discussed his pitching performance.
Paul said that he was throwing strikes and allowed his defense to make plays.
“Everytime I go out, (I try) to just throw strikes and pound the zone,” Paul said. “I know I have my defense behind me, so (I am) not trying to do too much”.
Against the Red Raiders, Paul's slider was working well as he struck out seven, gave up no earned runs and only allowed four hits over five innings.
For the season, Paul is 4-0
By Donna L. RoBinson eDitoR@kaRLovecmeDia
com
Kirtland students showed off their writing talents in front of more than 70 people at the Kirtland Kiwanis Creative Writing Contest Award Ceremony April 24.
Nineteen students from grades sixth through 12th were awarded certificates for winning pieces inspired by this year’s theme, “I have a Dream.”
“All the entries were very well done and quite challenging for the judges to narrow it down to nineteen recipients receiving funds and recognition,” said Kiwanis President Kathy Talty, who coordinated the event at the Kirtland Community Center. “This is our third year for having the ‘Creative Writing Contest’ and it keeps on growing with popularity in the community. The writing contest evolved as a pathway to get away from analytical writing, which is stressed in many institutions, to a venue where fun and creative thoughts are cheered, applauded,and touted with much
CHRONICLE
Hornets Head Coach Luke Smr del said that the coaching staff has great confidence in Paul's ability.
“We give him (Paul) the ball and we know he is going to go out there and give us his best effort,” said Coach Smrdel. “He is very good at hitting the zone, locking teams down, and he does a good job com manding his pitches.”
In addition to excellent pitch ing, scoring a lot of runs has also been paramount to the Hornets' success.
Their ability to plate runs was certainly evident against the Red Raiders as the Hornets took an early 5-0 lead.
“We came out hitting the ball, got some runs early (against the Red Raiders),” Coach Smrdel said.
while striking out 28. See Baseball• Page 7
“That's been what we have focused on, getting runs early, getting ahead
Students Flex Writing Skills in Kiwanis Contest
enthusiasm.”
Talty read a poem by Adrienna Margheret titled, “I have a Dream for Ice Cream.”
“I truly appreciated her wonderful poetry talents and fabulous ambitions to have some ice cream,” Talty said in a follow-up interview.
“It was a very fitting piece of poetry to read in a very hot room that evening and ice cream sounded so good.”
Meriah Duncan, an English teacher from Kirtland High School, said she was proud of her students
who won awards in the contest, which included Mairin Fini, Kylie Sayle, Ben Shepard, Kevin Urbanick, Bo Famularcano and Vivienne Venido.
“I have had the pleasure of reading most of the pieces submitted by my students. The theme for this year's Kiwanis competition … invited a variety of submissions,” she said. “The theme was broad enough that students could connect to its historical echo of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s message promoting
Writing• Page 4
Creative Writing Contest Winners
Grades 6-8
1st - Bo Brauer - $200
2nd - Abrionna Jahn - $150
3rd - Michael Sullivan - $100
3rd - Jillian Spurling - $100
Honorable Mentions
Lina Sophia Schneider - $50
Ryan Jackson - $50
Piper Schmidt - $50
Grades 9-10
1st Danni Eberlin - $200
2nd Benjamin Shepard - $150
3rd Kevin Michael Urbanick - $100
Honorable Mentions
Kylie Sayle - $50
Danika Schaum - $50
Mairin Fini - $50
Grades 11-12
1st Niko Samac - $200
2nd Vivienne Venida - $150
3rd Bo Famularcano - $100
Honorable Mentions
Ella Buehner - $50
Clare Davidson - $50
Megan Urbanick - $50
Coffee with Council is Saturday, May. 17 10-11 a.m., at Kirtland City Hall. For more information, contact Joe Smolic at 440-487-8984 or JSmolic@ kirtlandohio.com
On Base Percentage and Fielding Key to Hornets Success
By aLan koRnspan spoRts@kaRLovecmeDia
An important element of successful offensive softball performance is getting runners on base.
Likewise, on defense, limiting the opposing team's base runners is also critical.
This season, Hornets Softball is focused on these important offensive and defensive concepts.
After a challenging 2024 season which saw Hornets Softball win just one game, former head coach Jamie Kamensky has returned to lead her former team.
Before returning, Kamensky previously spent 2023 and 2024 as an assistant softball coach at John Carroll University.
With Kamensky now leading the Hornets, the team has made great strides. In fact, they have increased their win total by four games, with 8 games remaining in the regular season.
To help the Hornets improve, Coach
Kamensky has stressed the importance of competitiveness and staying focused on the small details that relate to successful performance.
“We're really preaching competitiveness and doing the little things right,” said Coach Kamensky. “So, when we came in (at the start of the season) we set the expectations, we set our goals and the kids are really buying into it.”
Two of the main areas Coach Kamensky has stressed are improving both the team's on base and fielding percentage.
“If you have a higher on base percentage and a higher fielding percentage you are go-
ing to win a lot of games,” said Coach Kamen sky.
In order to help her team increase on base percentage, Coach Kamensky stresses patience at the plate.
“We're telling them to be patient at the plate, find their pitches that they have to have, and go into protect mode when we have to,” said Coach Kamensky.
Of course, not every at bat leads to getting on base.
Thus, to help her players stay positive, Coach Kamensky uses a “done next” philosophy.
“Our biggest thing is done next,” Coach Kamensky said. “Softball and baseball are a game of failure. If you hit .300 you're very successful. So we're just preaching, keep your head up, try your hardest, put the ball in play, and if not we make it up in the field.”
In addition to strengthening the Hornets offense, Kamensky has helped the Hornets improve their fielding by focusing on fundamentals.
“We've really gone back to fundamental drills, and sequential drills,” said Coach Kamensky. “So that way we're learning how to put the fundamentals into a sequence that's actually teaching how the game moves.”
Against the Beachwood Bison on April 24th at Kirtland High School, the Hornets demonstrated their ability to get on base and field well in their 17-3 victory.
After the Bison scored three runs in the top of the first, the Hornets quickly answered with five runs in the first, seven runs in the second, and five more in the third inning.
Afterwards, Coach Kamensky was happy with how her team performed.
“We came out kind of slow, but then we bounced right back at the bottom of the first, and we just took off from there. So it was good to see,” Coach Kamensky said.
Senior Adison Fleming also noted the excellent offense and defense that the Hornets showed against the Bison.
“I think our bats were really going and everybody got a pretty good hit,” Fleming said.
Also, in assessing the quality of the Hornets' at-bats, Fleming said that everyone in the lineup took an aggressive approach and tried to hit the ball hard by making good contact.
In addition to hitting well against the Bison, as a team this season, the Hornets have a very good on base percentage of .431.
Leading the Hornets offensively this season include, Julia Cottrell (.563 batting average, 9-16; .632 on base percentage), Maggie Kothera (.511, 23-45, .560 OBP, 25 RBI), Kennedy Boyd (.407, 11-27, .484 OBP), Fleming (.350, 14-40, .484 OBP, 3 HR) and Karli DiFranco (.346, 9-26, .452 OBP).
As the regular season is coming to an end, senior Adison Fleming stressed that the main team goals are process focused and are based upon continuing to improve on base and fielding percentage.
Added Coach Kamensky, “We try to limit (errors) to hopefully under three errors per game and they're trying to string as many hits together as possible.”
A Note from the Mayor
Just like trees, grass and honeybees, the month of May in Kirtland brings to life resounding community spirit.
Kicking the month off is the Kiwanis Rummage Sale and Garden Club of Kirtland’s Spring plant sale. Both will take place on May 8-10 at the Pumpkinville red barn. These great organizations continually give back to the community, so please come support their efforts.
Also led by the Kirtland Kiwanis, please consider joining Barber-Williams Post of the American Legion, The Garden Club and the local Scout Troop on May 17 for the annual Memorial Day prep at City Hall. Typically, the work starts at 8 a.m. and includes planting flowers at Veteran’s Memorial, in addition to mulching around City Hall and the memorial grounds. This is one of my favorite days of the year, as we get to witness folks of all ages in an amazing cooperative effort that beautifies our City Hall and Memorial.
Keeping on the topic of Memorial Day,
Correction
please come support our Barber-Williams Legion Post for the annual Memorial Day service. The parade begins at Kirtland High School at 10 a.m. and ends at the Veteran’s Memorial at City Hall. As we do each year, we’ll be honoring the fallen men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces for paying the ultimate price to uphold the freedoms we have. Please help us pay tribute to these brave souls so that their memories may continue to live in our hearts and minds.
Finally, I’d like to offer big congratulations to Frank and Mimi Wagner for their successful opening of Casa Rosa Cucina. And thanks to both for their commitment and investment in the City of Kirtland. We are lucky to have them here in our community, so please support the new restaurant and continue to patronize their first endeavor in Kirtland, Down the Block.
Mayor Potter
Inaccurate information appeared in the article titled, “Maggie’s Donuts Rolls into Kirtland,” in the April 4 edition of the Kirtland Chronicle. Cristina Soriano, pictured with her family in the comments below, is the owner and operator of the new store in Kirtland.
Kiwanis Korner
By kathy taLty
Key Club and Builder’s Club members were a great help with the K-Kids at their last meeting for this school year.
They painted little rocks with kind sayings, which were placed in the garden in front of the Kirtland Elementary School.
Aktion Club has been busy collecting pull tabs for the Ronald McDonald House and plastic bags to be melted down for a park bench in Painesville.
We had a great turn out for the Creative Writing Contest award dinner.
Thank you to all the students that partici-
pated with their brilliant works!
Our annual Rummage Sale with all its treasures will be taking place in Pumpkinville, the red barn on state Route 306, May 7, for early entry May 8-10 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Proceeds go for scholarships through the Kiwanis Kirtland Foundation.
Our annul Strawberry Festival is coming up June 12-14 with lots of strawberry shortcakes, rides and more.
Queen Bee buzz: Nature creates wonders for us with sunshine, bright colored flowers, busy buzzing bees, to make sweet honey for you and me.
Happy Spring!
karlovec group
8389 Mayfield Road, Suite B5
Chesterland, Ohio 44026
Phone 440-729-7667
FAX 440-729-8240 ads@karlovecmedia.com editor@karlovecmedia.com
OFFICE HOURS
9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday Closed Wednesdays
Jeffrey B. Karlovec, Publisher
John D. Karlovec, Editor
Cassandra C. Shofar, News Editor
Jamie A. Ward, Sports Editor
Ann Wishart, Staff Reporter
Allison WIlson, Staff Reporter
Emma MacNiven, Staff Reporter
Deadlines
Clay Karlovec, Sales Representative
Clinton Sestak, Sales Representative
Regina Swinerton, Classifieds
Karen S. Kaplan, Graphic Design
Pamela J. Molnar, Production Supervisor
Emma McGuire, Paginator
• Editorial submissions are printed as space is available, at the publisher’s discretion, and may be edited for length, clarity and grammar. All submissions are due by noon on the Monday prior to the first Friday of each month for consideration for that month’s edition.
• Email all editorial submissions to editor@karlovecmedia.com.
• The space reservation deadline for paid advertisements in that month’s Kirtland Chronicle is noon on the Monday prior to the first Friday of each month. Late ads may be accepted at the discretion of management.
• Email advertising requests and questions to ads@karlovecmedia.com.
Circulation
• The Kirtland Chronicle is distributed for free each month to homes and businesses in the communities of Kirtland, Kirtland Hills and Waite Hill. It is mailed through the U.S. Postal Service.
• Copies are also available at 5 rack locations within Kirtland.
• Circulation in excess of 3,300.
• Produced monthly by the Kirtland Chronicle, LLC.
• In case of error, we will re-print that portion of an advertisement that was in error. Notification of error should be made within three days of published date. The Kirtland Chronicle, LLC assumes no responsibility of error contained in any pre-printed material delivered with the paper as an insertion therein.
• The Kirtland Chronicle, LLC reserves the right to reject or revise any advertisement or news item for publication. Letters to the Editor reflect the opinion of those signing them and not necessarily that of either the Kirtland Chronicle, LLC, its affiliates or its advertisers. All letters submitted are subject to editing, and none will be returned.
• The opinions and representations contained in advertisements are those of the advertiser. They have not been verified by the Kirtland Chronicle, LLC, nor should they be construed to represent the position or viewpoint of this newspaper or its publisher.
• Under no circumstances will any record filed in the county be suppressed at any time for anybody, except by order of court.
Writing from
page
1 Judges Q&A
equality and civil rights, or to its literal meaning, giving way to a whimsical and imaginary piece. The submitted pieces varied in genre.”
Duncan’s students submitted essays, short stories and poems, she said.
“One student wrote about the relevance of MLK, Jr.'s message in 2025, another wrote from the perspective of a ‘dreamer’ whose parents faced deportation, and still others imagined fictitious settings where their protagonists chase dreams to improve their worlds, only to discover that their good intentions are based on lies and deception,” Duncan said. “In the latter pieces, the protagonists undergo a redemption.”
Throughout the year, Duncan said she posted contest opportunities in her classroom and encouraged students to submit their original work.
“I believe writing for contests gives students more opportunities to showcase their talent, gain recognition and improve their skills,” she said. “Winning an award is a wonderful accolade to add to college applications. The Kiwanis Creative Writing Contest is enticing because it is a local competition, giving more students the courage to submit. Once they submit for one contest, it is easier to submit for another.”
Talty hopes the creative writing contest continues to help cultivate the next generation of great poets, fiction/play writers and lyricists.
“Kirtland Kiwanis’ goal is to help one child at a time,” she said. “We are here to be their cheerleaders and supporters in all areas from sports to academics, and very much the arts.”
Kirtland Creative Writing Contest judges Shelly Dedmon, Jeanne Madison and Paul Rampe chose this year’s winners based on criteria such as grammar, whether the submission fit the theme, creativity, continuity, unique maturity and an overall “wow” factor.
The following includes a list of Q&A’s with each judge:
Q: What is your title/role/job and how many years have you had that title/role/job?
Dedmon: I am a retired lawyer and currently volunteer at a local nonprofit (organization).
Madison: I am a playwright and actor. I began acting in 2009 on a dare. I attended an open audition. I didn't get the part, but the director, Terrence Spivey, the then artistic director at Karamu, the nation's oldest Black-producing theater, called me back for a second show he was directing. I began writing during the pandemic with 10-minute plays that could be produced on Zoom. My play,” Showin' Up Black,” was produced at Cleveland Public Theatre and the theater won a National Endowment for the Arts grant of $15,000 to produce the show, which sold out eight of 12 performances.
Rampe: Retired video writer/director from The Illuminating Company for two decades of constant change.
Q: What are your thoughts about this year’s submissions?
Dedmon: I was impressed by the obvious effort many of the students put into their writing projects, and by the maturity exhibited in some of the writings. Many of the entries were impressive in their creativ-
ity, making the judging a challenge. This was especially true in the ninth-to-10thgrade group which had many entries.
Madison: The submissions of essays and poems were all very good. The submissions were imaginative, and exciting, some were fantastical, while others were heartwarming and tender. Some were heart wrenching and poignant. There were several that stood out, mostly because they wrote about the theme with a novel or fresh approach, while others were simple and clean in their construction, but thought provoking in their content.
Rampe: To me, writing is like making a layer cake. The first layer is the basic story. Then layer in active verbs to replace dull verbs. Then layers of colors, sounds, rhymes, humor, touch and more. Delicious! As a judge, I wanted presentations to flow easily from start to finish and make a point. The ultimate question was, ‘How did it make me feel?’ That’s everything.
Q: How do you believe the students will benefit from the contest?
Dedmon: I think entering a contest like this encourages students who not ordinarily do any creative writing to stretch themselves, to step out of their comfort zone. It also encourages a student who likes to write to make a special effort.
Madison: Writing contests are good for students because they cause students to put into practice what they learn in class. The reason writing is taught is because it is a valuable skill in so many ways. Writing helps us to crystallize our thoughts and become skilled at expressing ourselves, at understanding others and at persuasion. Writing is a great outlet for our emotions, especially when we have feelings that we need to gain control over, or that we feel need to be private until we are ready to share them.
Writing for a contest also teaches us
ond-year judge Jeanne Madison and third-year judge Paul Rampe show support for student winners at this year’s third annual awards ceremony April 24.
May Students of the Month
The Kirtland Kiwanis “Students of the Month” for May 2025 are fifth-grader Acacia Hersh of Kirtland Elementary School, sixth-grader Cole Prymicz, of Kirtland Middle School, and 12th-grader Samuele Gordon, of Kirtland High School.
Judges
from page 4
discipline, which is a great characteristic to have in all things if we are to accomplish anything. Writing for a theme-based contest helps us understand and connect with the universality of all mankind; to know that we, as individuals, are all part of a greater whole and that we all share the same emotions, desires, frustrations, needs and hopes for our future.
Rampe: Intelligently, students stretched their skills and imaginations in writing. Soon, they’ll be adding artificial intelligence for multi-media presentations.
The Kiwanis sponsors the “Students of the Month.” The principal and staff chose one student from each school to be recognized.
Each student has their picture taken, receives a certificate and a T-shirt that says, “Student of the Month.”
Q: Anything you’d like to add that I didn’t ask or touch on?
Dedmon: Judging this contest was a joy and I look forward to judging again next year if possible.
Madison: I was very impressed with the diversity of the stories that the young writers told. I learned a lot in judging this competition. One of the things I learned is that some of the issues that trouble young people, that we often attribute to more urban communities are also present in Kirtland. Again, the universality of mankind comes through in a theme-based writing competition. All of the writers did a really good job.
Rampe: I was thrilled by the diversity of subjects and styles.
CHUCK BICKART/KIRTLAND KIWANIS
From left, “Students of the Month” Acacia Hersh, of KES, Cole Prymicz, of KMS, and Samuele Gordon, of KHS.
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 or to register, please call the library at 440-256-7323 or visit www.kirtland.lib.oh.us
Adult Programs
Knit & Crochet
May 6 • 6 p.m.
Drop-in event open to anyone who enjoys knitting, crocheting or is interested in learning these skills. Join the fun on the first Monday of each month from 6-7 p.m. Bring your own supplies.
Color Me Calm
May 10 • 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.
Kirtland Library
No Pressure Book Discussion
May 20 • 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.
Cookbook Club
May 21 • 6:15 p.m.
Bring in a tea party type food celebrate May! Don’t forget your place setting and beverage! Sign up for more information.
Special Events:
Used Book Sale
May 4 • 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Find some treasures in the Book Cellar at the Library! After that you can head upstairs to check out some more recent titles! This event is sponsored by The Friends of Kirtland Public Library.
Wind Chime Workshop
May 4 • 10:30 a.m.
May 13 • 5 p.m.
Join us for a two-part Wind Chime workshop with Anne Rose. Please sign up for both dates. Final pickup is May 28 at 5 p.m.
Bring your own wooden rolling pin if you like. The first step is rolling out the clay and designing our fish. Anne will take them and fire them for us. The first session last about 1.5-2 hours. The $10 per person cost for this is collected at the first session only. Cash is requested. You must sign up for both sessions to be eligible for this craft.
Care and Handling of Treasures
May 7 • 6 p.m.
Join Holly Witchey, Director of Education & Outreach for ICA-Art Conservation, for an evening of discussion on how to handle, care for, and eventually pass on your family treasures. Attendees are encouraged to bring a small object, photograph, document or item that is meaningful to exhibit in a “Pop-Up Museum” of family treasures. Please register for this event.
Cleveland Cultural Gardens
May 8 • 6:30 p.m.
The Cultural Gardens, spanning Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, are rich in history and beauty. Rebecca McFarland will give a closer at the different gardens and the history of this area which was originally dedicated in 1916. Please register for this event.
Card Making Workshop
May 14 • 6 p.m.
Craft Your Story will be here with for a spring card-making workshop. The cost is $10 per person. Payment accepted only at the event. Please register for this event.
Culinary Class: Greek Cuisine
May 20 • 6 p.m.
Sign up for this class to the Mediterranean and enjoy some tasty food while you learn! $10.00 cash per person to attend. Payment accepted only at the event. Registration is required.
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.
Youth Programs Special Events:
Laketran Bus Visit
May 3• 10:30 a.m.
Explore a Laketran bus from the inside. We’ll examine the features of the bus and enjoy a story and a craft. Participants will be able to pose for pictures in the driver’s seat (parents, bring your cameras). Bus visits will be 10:30-11 a.m. and indoor storytime will be 11-11:30 a.m. Please register every adult and every child.
Mother’s Day Craft
May 11 • 10:30 a.m.
Come make a craft bag lantern for your special person. Please register every adult and every child attending.
LEGO Club
May 18 • 10:30 a.m.
Families, spend an hour creating with the library’s LEGO brick collection. Once you have completed your creation with our bricks, we will place it in on display for all to see. Please register for this program.
Summer Reading 2024 Kickoff Event
May 28 • 3:45 p.m.
Families, get a sneak peek at our summer reading activities and help decorate the Children’s Department for the summer. Please register for this event.
Lapsit
Tuesdays • 10 a.m.
Bounces, rhymes, one book, scarves and shakers, geared for families with children under the age of 3. Meet outdoors on the courtyard, weather permitting. No need to register. (NO lapsit on May 14 or May 28.)
Storytime
Wednesdays • 10 a.m.
Enjoy great books, rhymes, songs, and surprises with your child. This storytime is geared for families with children age 5 and under. Meet outdoors on the courtyard, weather permitting. No need to register. (NO storytime on May 15.)
On April 10, we celebrated the signing of 21 sophomore students who have committed to attend the Auburn Career Center for the 2025-2026 school year.
This is one of the largest single classes we have sent. Congratulations to Carly Arcidiacono (Patient Care Technician), Logan Booth (Welding), Joseph Ciavarelli (Network Security & Robotics), Carlo Difranco (Automotive Tech nology), Caden Fall (Heating, Ven tilation & Air Conditioning), Mag gie Galasky (Emergency Medical Services), Lauren Juratic (Cos metology), Carson Kalous (Con struction), Emma Lariccia (Auto motive Collision Repair), Mario Lorber (Emergency Medical Ser vices), Ayden Marple (Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning), Alexander Merrill (Construction), Ryan Noydara Robinette (Architecture Project Management), Vincent Prusock (Welding), Michael Rascan (Automotive Technology), Stephen Ungrady (Production & Welding Technology), Kailyn White (Cosmetology), Aubrey Wolenski (Cosmetology), Isabella Koenig (Automotive Collision Repair), Savannah Lydner (Marketing & Business Applications), and Lillian Quercioli
Kirtland Schools
(Patient Care Technician).
On the evening of April 10, we welcomed 29 of our community members to our annual Senior Citizen Appreciation Night. Our seniors were treated to dinner, Kirtland Schools’ merchandise and a wonderful performance of the play “Adventure.”
By Chad VanArnhem, Superintendent
Congratulations to the cast and the director, Mrs. Anna Kutscher, on such an engaging and funny show! The cast members are: Kyle Pilarczyk, Bo Famularcano, Sofia Sverko, Josh Stewart, Hannah Stroberg, Josie Burich, Walter Knoop, Landon Leavelle, Aubrey Wolenski, Mary Kocab, Olivia Pilarczyk, Payton Phillips, Kimmy Gruden, Melody Wolenski, Grace Rahz, Brody Sanzobrino, Teagan Sanzobrino, Martha Roeseler, Em Zivko, Matthew Berichon, Alexandria Svoboda, Zach Baker and Tommy Loncar.
Congratulations to Faith Blankenship who recently earned an associate degree from Lakeland Community College before completing her 11th-grade year.
Congratulations to Sara Garvin, an eighth-grader, who has earned a spot in the state-level Power of the Pen competition af-
Baseball from page 1
of our opponents, and locking it down on defense. And the bats stayed alive, and they have been alive all year.”
Helping the Hornets offense early against the Red Raiders was senior left fielder Tyler Turk.
Turk got the Hornets on the scoreboard with an RBI single to give the Hornets a 1-0 lead.
After the victory, Turk said that the Hornets played well.
“The boys were hitting well today, the field played great, and you can't ask for anything more,” said Turk.
As one of the Hornets top hitters, Turk also discussed his calm and relaxed approach at the plate.
While batting, Turk said he made sure not to chase pitches out of the strike zone, and tried to make good contact.
Coach Smrdel said that he likes the approach Turk brings to the plate.
“Tyler goes up there, he's nice and relaxed,” Coach Smrdel said. “He's got a great mindset at the plate. He knows if he can put the ball in play, good things will happen.”
Additionally, Turk said that his pregame hitting preparation has been central to his success.
“We're getting a lot of swings in before the game, trying to get ourselves ready,” said Turk. “(The impact) of getting a lot of swings (in), shows at the plate.”
With a lot of physical preparation and a relaxed mindset, Turk has been on a hot streak over the last four games, going 10-15 (.667 batting average).
Leading the Hornets offensively at the plate so far this season have been junior Ben DiFranco (.500 batting average, 15-30, .568 on base percentage), junior Xavier Lasecki (.500, 16-32, .529 OBP), senior Tyler Turk (.450, 18-40, .511 OBP) and junior Nate Chuko (.438, 14-32, .474 OBP).
“The guys are having fun, and they are hitting the ball well,” said Coach Smrdel. “1-9 our lineup is pretty good right now,”
ter showcasing exceptional writing talent at the Solon Regional Tournament. Competing against talented writers from across the region, Sara impressed judges with her creativity, originality, and storytelling abilities.
In addition to qualifying for the state tournament, Sara won the Platinum Pen Award. The Platinum Pen Award is a prestigious honor given to students in Power of the Pen for their outstanding writing skills. Winning a Platinum Pen Award means that a student's writing is considered to be among the best of the best in their respective tournament. Platinum Pen winners have their stories published in Power of the Pen's "Book of Winners." Sara and her coaches, Andreha O’Donnell and Kelly Hedger, have dedicated time to honing writing skills, exploring new styles, and embracing the challenge of writing prompts. The State tournament will be held May 21- 22 at Ashland University. Best of luck to Sara.
The Kirtland Key Club held their annual induction ceremony. The club has grown significantly under Meriah Duncan's four-year leadership, increasing from approximately 35 members to 60 dues-paying members this year. This growth reflects the club's success in creating meaningful service opportunities
Overall, the Hornets have a .385 team batting average (121-314).
The Hornets pitching staff has also thrown the ball quite well.
In addition to Paul, leading the Hornets pitching staff is Lasecki (1-0, 0.40 era, 17.1 innings pitched, 16 strikeouts), Sebastian Becker (3-0, 3.57 era, 17.2 innings pitched, 31 strikeouts), Chuko (1-0, 2.33 era; 6 innings pitched, 7 strikeouts) and Drew Thaler (1-0, 2.80 era, 5 innings pitched, 4 strikeouts).
Fielding and defense has also been a strong point of emphasis for the Hornets. So far, the Hornets defense has been very good as they have accumulated a .953 fielding percentage.
With excellent pitching, hitting, and fielding, look for the Hornets to have a strong post-season.
and fostering leadership development among students. Through their participation in Key Club, Kirtland students are not only serving their community but also developing valuable leadership skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.
Congratulations to the 2025-2026 Key Club Officers: Matty Jankowski (President), Lauren Palagyi (Vice President), Corbin MacGillis (Treasurer), Izzy Copeland (Secretary), Mary Kocab (Webmaster), Maya Helwig (Bulletin Editor), Megan Urbanik (K-Kids Student Advisor), Gianna Trem (Kids Assistant Student Advisor), Julia Cottrell (Kids Assistant Student Advisor), Charlie Whittaker (Kiwanis Liaison), and Katelyn Beuck (Kiwanis Liaison). There are three students with state leadership positions: Priscilla Pennza (Ohio District Webmaster), Charlie Whittaker (Lieutenant Governor of Division 19), and Tori Brown (Lieutenant Governor of Division 22).
We are very excited for the commencement of the Class of 2025 that will be taking place on May 17 at 2 p.m. at the Mentor Fine Arts Center. It is definitely bittersweet saying goodbye to so many amazing students.
