Young people and students
Music Unites Students At Princeton
If you found a place where everyone welcomed and included you for who you are, would you want to go there?
These are the first words my dear friend Sue Schindler had written for a group of Princeton High School students on the day that I visited – this past Tuesday. It was part of a very special Melodic Connections program called Common Time where people of all kinds of diversity and abilities are brought together to play music, but more importantly, through the process, laughing, sharing, appreciating one another.
Sue (and her husband Bob) worked with Melodic Connections to bring Common Time to Princeton this week as a celebration of what would have been their daughter Katy’s 26th birthday. Katy was a Princeton Viking too. It was a place where she was welcomed and included. Her communication device could have made learning a challenge, but she had the will and persistence (and support from her family, friends and school) to succeed.
She also happened to have been a Melodic Connections’ musician. No matter the song, Katy loved making music. And she loved life.
Sue wrote a personal message that was given to each of the students on Tuesday:
“When remembering Katy, people talk about her infectious smile and laughter, her radiant blue eyes, her persistence, and how she lived life to the fullest. Others talk about her grinning ear-to- ear when hitting a single in baseball, laughing hysterically while trotting on her horse, Poncho, or when stopping in the middle of a rambunctious soccer game to take in the moment. Katy made life exciting and fun.
Today, through Common Time, take joy in the moments, cherish what strengths you bring and connect with others who are new to you. Today is a day to celebrate the best in you! As you leave today . . .
What will you do to challenge yourself and make your life more exciting and fun?”
Susan Wyder: Putting Community First
written by Sue Schindler
It’s 1980. Susan Wyder is a brand new 6th grade teacher. One of her students continually vomits each morning. Susan realizes that this child is pregnant. Thirty-nine years ago, society was not as supportive to pregnant girls-especially the very young ones. The girl’s parents want nothing to do with her or her baby. Susan eventually becomes this young girl’s home instructor and continues her close attention.
Even as a young teacher, Susan is first and foremost an advocate. She finds maternity clothing and baby items for her student at Valley Interfaith Center. Susan strongly sees the needs for these types of services in the Princeton City School District. She gains approval through Student Services Director, Mari Phillips by talking about the many students’ needs and how it would help them. This is the beginning of the Princeton Closet and Susan’s role as Princeton’s strong community leader and connector.
“The Closet is critical to Princeton. Susan Wyder’s dedication to provide clothes, supplies and other items are essential to those in need. She is simply amazing. I continue to hear stories about the help and support provided by Susan and specifically the Closet. The community is fortunate to have both,” Princeton City School District Superintendent Tom Burton shares with me.
Once housed in a small upstairs room of the now demolished Burton Building on Lippleman Road, the Princeton Closet recently moved from the Board Office and into the Princeton Operations Center, 11786 Highway Drive, in Sharonville to accommodate expanding needs. Susan admits some uncertainty with the most recent move. “It always seemed as if space was too small for Susan because she does a great job promoting the Closet,” says Dr. Phillips.
Still a strong, integral part of the Princeton family in her role as Associate Superintendent, Mari Phillips is instrumental with this move. “Sue has done a wonderful job in supporting students who are in need of clothing and food through her 501-3C nonprofit organization. With her move to her new location at the Princeton Operation Center, I told her that bigger and better things would come to her ministry, and it has. She goes out of her way to help students and families get what they need so that they can access their education.”
Susan is quick to point out, “Kids cannot learn if they are hungry, cold and have no school supplies.” When asked if there are any misconceptions about the Closet, she answered, “I know in my heart it is needed.”
In addition to her Closet responsibilities, Susan has also served on the Princeton Board of Education since 2011 and is a fundraiser for the Princeton Education Fund.
Princeton City School District sprawls through northern Hamilton County. The District serves over 5,600 students within 10 schools. Families reside in Evendale, Glendale, Lincoln Heights, Sharonville, Springdale and Woodlawn. The District also includes parts of Blue Ash, Springfield Township, as well as, parts of Butler County’s West Chester Township, Warren County’s Deerfield Township and the northwest corner of Sycamore Township.
Some 65% of students are on free or reduced lunch. Princeton City School District public schools have a diversity score of 0.72, which is higher than the Ohio average of 0.24. The most diverse district school is Sharonville Elementary School and the second most diverse elementary within Ohio.
Statistics only tell part of the story. Princeton is a story of strength and increasing graduation rates. They are recognized for their distinguished International Baccalaureate program in Princeton High School. Their 2019 graduate, Kevin Simmons, was one of only 300 national students who received the prestigious (Bill & Melinda) Gates Foundation Scholarship for academics and community service. Princeton’s Community Conversations regularly take place at local recreation centers for residents to talk about what is happening within the district- good and bad. Strong teamwork among school staff and community make Princeton a family. Their motto is, “Princeton empowers all students for college, careers and life success.”
Student and family’s needs range from the simple to complex. As with other districts, Princeton has surged in the number of grandparents suddenly and unexpectedly raising their grandchildren. 15 generous donors quickly responded when Susan posted a Facebook request to send 3 sibling grandchildren with disabilities to Camp Stepping Stones day camp, while their grandmother recovered from recent surgery. With Stepping Stones staff providing transportation, the siblings are safely enjoying the outdoors this summer as they participate in activities specifically designed for their abilities and success.
Susan invites me to the Princeton Closet at 8:30 AM. She’s held up by a train after picking up a check from a Princeton school principal. He writes a check for the Closet to pay it forward. Susan does more by 8:30 AM than most of us do throughout our day.
As the Princeton Transportation Department is also housed in the Operations Building, I stop to talk to several of the bus drivers who eagerly comment on the great work that Susan provides.
In turn, Susan shares the pivotal role the bus drivers take in making referrals. The bus and transportation drivers are the ones who see the students daily and are aware of their living situations. Drivers frequently hand out Susan’s business card and ask for parents to call. Referrals are especially high for shoes and coats. “They are amazing advocates for the kids,” she said.
During the recent 2018-19 school year cold snap, drivers ask why students aren’t wearing coats. When a student replies that he already outgrew his coat and his mother doesn’t have money for a new one, the bus driver has a coat ready from the Closet on the student’s drive home.
The walls of the Closet are lined with racks of all types and sizes of shoes. Winter coats hang from the middle of the room. St. Michael students organized and displayed the endless racks and displays of shoes and clothing by sizes and gender. Susan’s husband of 48 years, Walter, is responsible for building many of the shelves and does the heavy lifting.
Susan’s enthusiasm, connectivity, heart for the students and savvy for fundraising have established the Princeton Closet into a welcoming environment where community members eagerly volunteer. Phyllis McKinley is one of those volunteers and can be found at the Closet several days each week. She was a Mt. Zion Church Lady for 30 years. Now retired, Phyllis acknowledges that she initially came to the Closet as a skeptic. She quickly changed her mind after meeting Susan, and the rest is history. “Susan is awesome. She is on the move. I love it,” says Phyllis.
Phyllis eagerly shares stories about students benefitting from the Closet. One father drove his middle school-age daughter to downtown Cincinnati. He left her with nothing, so that she would not testify against him for a crime. When she called home for help, the father replied, “I’m holding your clothes hostage.” Fortunately, she made it to school, and her teacher reached out to the Closet. The girl received clothing and toiletries until moving in with a welcoming family.
The former Closet at the Board Office was the size of several classrooms. However, the new facility is even more expansive. As I’m shown the Food Pantry that was set-up by Phyllis, Susan shares that the canned items have pop tops. Many families, especially those living in hotels, don’t have access to a can opener. Non-perishable food is always needed for the pantry along with items not available through Food Stamps- toiletries, paper products and laundry and household cleaners. “All it takes is a bump in the road for a single mom to go homeless,” says Susan. Loss of a job or medical expenses can leave a family without housing. The closet even assists with temporary motel rooms costs, until the family gets back on their feet.
Community involvement is nothing short of miraculous. As we enter another room, racks are filled with clothing from the Western Hills Dillard’s Outlet Store. Donation value is $220,000! Phyllis, who was involved with unpacking most of the 250 substantial-sized boxes, shares that this Dillard’s donation provided many young women with lingerie that can be expensive and difficult to fit. The donations allowed for Princeton High School girls to wear new prom gowns, while the football team wore new buttoned shirts and ties on game day. Racks are lined with new swimsuits and clothes for all types of weather.
Princeton Closet collaborates and shares with many organizations, Matthew 25: Ministries received many items from the Dillard’s Outlet donations. The Closet benefitted from the First Presbyterian Glendale’s, “Fill the Glendale Square with Food,” Day” along with Valley Interfaith. Dan Regenold, CEO of at Frame USA, Inc., in Springdale, included the Closet as part of their “Fill The Truck and will be their July, “Charity of the Month.” Organized Living is providing volunteers as part of their 100 -year birthday celebration.
Princeton High School students, under the direction of Victoria Valerius, volunteer at the Closet to learn vocational skills. Students learn extensive sequencing skills by putting enrollment packets together for the district’s new families. They also assist in other ways. Susan is looking forward to increasing the Closet size this summer with the addition of tables, chairs and easy access for wheelchair users.
No doubt that all collaborations are special. One non-profit collaboration that especially is meaningful to Susan is the, “Missy 500.” Missy and her sister, Laura Haverland, were former students. Recovering from a knee replacement, Missy wrote Susan a heartfelt letter and sent a $500.00 check for the Closet. She unexpectedly died the next day. Missy’s family & friends started the “Missy 500,” to continue the memory of Missy’s very generous nature. They adopt a Princeton family at Christmas and make other donations. Missy’s cousin, Christian McCord, built Closet shelving in his fulfillment of St. Michael Eagle Scout requirements.
Julie Haverland, Missy’s mother, calls Susan, “an angel.” Julie and friends belong to another group, “Stitching for a Cause.” During the 2018-2019 winter frigid temperatures, water pipes froze at a trailer park near Stewart Elementary. Julie and her friends provided blankets for each family member.
When asked about the Closet and community’s future and needs Susan has several thoughts. Cash is always needed and appreciated. Cash allowed Susan and team to buy winter coats at a nominal cost when Sears Tri-County was closing. Additional plastic hangers are also needed.
Some 500 backpacks will be purchased and filled with school supplies for the 2019-2020 school year. Susan urges community members to make purchases in July. That’s the best month for school supply sales.
Community organizer, fundraiser, motivator, angel, confidant, and friend, Susan does it all. She is essential to the Princeton City School District as an advocate for those in need and someone who is there to share a story or offer a kind word. A favorite former teacher of many, she is someone who continually creates better lives for others.
Dr. Phillips emphasizes, “The Princeton Closet is like a dream come true to hundreds of students and families. When a family contacts Mrs. Wyder and shares with her their plight, she immediately does her ‘Susan Wyder’ thing and before you know it, she has received donations from countless people to help the family. You can see the smile on Susan’s face when she has helped a student and his/her family. It is a blessing to have her as our Board member and the CEO of the Princeton Closet. ‘Susan is the “real deal’. Her humble attitude and big heart help make the #Vikingdiff in the Princeton City School District.”
Life Lessons From A Triangle
Children have such huge potential for learning, and when they are taught from the earliest of ages to accept and appreciate each other’s differences – even to look beyond those differences to see what they have in common – it is one of life’s greatest lessons.
I get so touched by seeing and even being a part of those opportunities. It is a beautiful sight to see young children who look and do things differently, laugh, play, learn, and participate together. When this happens, all of them grow as a result.
This is why, as soon as my dear friend Blythe Pietila showed me the picture book, Timmy Triangle in Square Park written by Blythe’s friend, Ruth Wacker, I loved it right away…and wanted a copy to read to kids.
With simple words, cheerful illustrations and an easy-to-follow story line, the book teaches this lesson so that young minds are engaged and can understand. It focuses on Timmy Triangle, who tapes another triangle to himself just so that he looks like all the squares and can play with them in their park. They were having so much fun together…until, Timmy’s second triangle fell off during jump roping and was told he could no longer play there. That is when Sammy Square picked up the fallen triangle and announced his discovery, “Look, everybody…I’m made of two triangles!” And they realized they were really all alike. From that day forward, the squares welcomed the triangles in the park.
Timmy Triangle in Square Park is now among my favorite picture books for early readers (published by Reading Reading Books).
I had to talk with Ruth to learn more about the woman behind the story; and when I did, I came to see how this was such a natural project for her. Her friends know her as probably one of the nicest people they know because she loves to smile and make others smile. Someone told her recently, “When I walk away from you, I always feel better.” I can absolutely see that. I seemed to be smiling more when I hung up the phone from our conversation.
Ruth told me that may come from her roots (and the many self help book she regularly reads), growing up in a farming town of what she guesses may include some 300 people. She has three sisters and a brother, and parents who were farmers. From her family she learned about motivation, faith, hard work, love, and lend a hand to neighbors.
And she no doubt instilled those same values into her two adult sons, her biggest inspiration. “They are such selfless people, always willing to help other people. They’ve inspired me with their lack of worry. They have this thing about them that no matter what happens, everything will be ok and it will be good,” she told me.
A first grade teacher many years ago, her children’s writing (she has written several other stories for Amazon Rapids, an app for 8-12 year olds by Amazon Education) is a mix of her passion for writing, teaching, and encouraging friendship and discovery in young people.
Ruth’s voice cracked as she began telling me of Ryan, the inspiration behind Timmy the Triangle in Square Park.
The son of one of Ruth’s friends who is now in his 20’s, Ryan loves golf and would be the first person to pick up something you dropped as an act of kindness. He is also very big into following the rules and is often in a good mood. When his older brother was on the St. Xavier High School football team, Ryan was the team helper. The players looked at him as one of their own.
Yet there were also many kids who kept there distance from Ryan. His having down syndrome meant he looked and did things different from his peers as a child and that made some of them uncomfortable. They didn’t know how to be or act around him. “They were afraid of hanging out with him because they didn’t know what he was capable of, and he has a lot to offer,” Ruth told me.
“You have so much to learn from people who you may be afraid to get to know but if you just say, ‘it’s ok to get to know them’, you will be a better person and they will be better people. It goes for everyone. People should be judged by their character instead of what they look like. I am a big believer in that, and also I believe that kids should grow up to be curious about things. It is how they learn,” she said.
Below are a few more questions I asked of Ruth.
Lisa: What makes you smile?
Ruth: A lot makes me smile. The first thing I think about when I wake up is what I am thankful for. You can always make a list. Mine includes family, friends, my health, sunshine, a job, a house, food, music, books, my dog. The list could go on and on.
Lisa: What advice would you give a younger version of yourself about leading your best life?
Ruth: I used to always be in a rush about everything. I would see how much I could accomplish in an hour. My best advice would be to slow down. Now I love meditation because it makes you aware of so much more instead of having the blinders on with only one path. Open those blinders up. You never know what you may miss laying on the side of the road. Be open to changing your path. I also believe in signs. You’ve got to be open to the fact that something someone says may trigger a thought that means, ‘wait a minute, I’ve been going down the wrong way.’
These Students Are BEYOUtiful
When you were beginning high school, was a reason for your being super excited for it to begin because it meant you could be involved with and surrounded by peers who value community service?
Jessica Mitsch and Grace Brecht, juniors at Mount Notre Dame High School in Cincinnati, were. Helping others, doing their part to make the world better, brighter for people outside their inner circle is what makes them smile. At such a young age, they have learned that all people – no matter their age, ability, mode of communication or mobility, culture, religion, ethnicity – have gifts to share. That ALL people have value and are worthy of being a friend. Philanthropy has already become a way of life. It has become a part of them that will always be there.
Jessica and Grace are co-chairs of MND’s BeYOUtiful Project, a partnership with The Children’s Home of Cincinnati where students from MND and high school students who have autism at The Children’s Home do service together.
I sat down with the girls to learn more about them and the impact of their involvement.
Lisa: How did you first get interested in community service?
Grace: In my grade school I was involved with an organization called Helping Hands as soon as it was formed. It was in my sixth-grade year at Sacred Heart in Fairfield. I became the organization’s vice president. We mostly focused on service in the Fairfield area like retirement homes, the Joe Nuxall Miracle Leagues, and also a boy who had a brain tumor. When he passed away, we created a memorial garden for him. We also did things around the school like a canned food drive.
In high school, I met a senior who inspired me and encouraged me to participate in youth community council and then opportunities branched off from there.
Jessica: Before high school I did a few service projects. In 8th grade, we went to Matthew 25 Ministries. Then through my church, I helped sew dolls for kids at the hospital.
One of the main drawing points for MND when I shadowed a student to learn about it, was how extensive their service learning is. And I could see myself growing with that and enjoying it. When I came here, I joined just about every service club and joined all of the freshman service days.
Lisa: What impact have you seen and felt from your community service?
Jessica: I hope that through my service I make an impact on others. Through the BeYOUtiful, I didn’t know people with autism before. Now I have become more understanding. I see them as they are the same as us. I’ve become less ignorant of the world.
Through Youth Philanthropy Council we did service at Winton Place Youth Center, an after-school program for elementary kids in the Spring Grove area. Most come from families below the poverty line. We went there and tutored students. It made me more accepting and less ignorant of people’s situations.
People have taught me that you can be an amazing person no matter what your situation is, and you can give back, no matter your situation.
Grace: I think just spreading joy to others and giving of yourself to other people really helps in general in their lives. You feel like you are serving along side them not just serving them, so you are equals. It has a big impact on people who are in need of service because they are not typically treated as equals. I feel like I bring that aspect to community service.
With the BeYOUtiful project, I have made a lot of friendships with the high school students at the Children’s Home. They have been a source of joy in my life and I am a source of joy in their lives. I just went there this weekend and I was talking to all of them. They know my name, and we just caught up on each other’s lives. They are just normal high schoolers.
I had been around a few people with autism but getting involved with BeYOUtiful was when I began understanding it. I think it doesn’t define who people are, it is just something they live with and something that makes them unique in the world.
Lisa: Tell me about a student who has touched your life.
Grace: There is a student there named Devon. For prom last year, he as not hanging out with anyone. He was alone. He asked me if I would take a photo with him, and I was like, ‘of course. That’d be so much fun.’ He took a picture strip and I took a picture strip. A year later, he came up to me and said, ‘You are the girl who took the pictures with me at the prom. I still have them in my room and look at them every day.’ Every time he sees me now, he fist bumps me. I feel like we are such great friends and I feel so happy that I made him happy.
Devon is interesting to talk to because he knows all about storms. That is his thing. He talks about all the hurricanes, and can list all the stats of the tornadoes that came through here the past five years. He is really kind to me. He never stops smiling and that is inspiring and beautiful. That is what a good friend should be.
Lisa: Please tell me more about the BeYOUtiful Project.
Jessica: It has been a project at MND, but not til last year it wasn’t very well known. I joined it my freshman year but there wasn’t any service that went with it. Last year, Grace was a leader and developed it. We teach the students with autism at The Children’s Home about issues in the community and how they can help, give them an equal opportunity to do service, and go to the prom with them. One of main parts is helping them develop social skills.
Grace: We also sometimes work on awareness projects about autism in Cincinnati. We may go to festivals and set up a booth. Now we are focusing on The Children’s Home and may develop it into broader program. There are about 70 MND students involved.
Lisa: How do you think this focus for you will impact the rest of your life?
Grace: I want to be a speech therapist and part of that job is to teach social skills and mechanics, things that kids with autism need help with. This confirmed that I want to work with people with autism when I get older. It has affected me because I feel like people don’t understand what autism is and don’t understand that when people have autism, that they are not any less capable than someone without it. It just means that maybe they are a little bit different and have different things that they are good at, but they are still incredibly intelligent and incredibly capable. And just as worthy as anyone else and worthy of love and acceptance.
Jessica: I am actually doing something similar to BeYOUtiful for my capstone senior project to exhibit leadership qualities. I am working for the Cincinnati Center for Autism, which is similar to Children’s Home. I am doing something for their summer campers.
We’ve been provided with such an opportunity at MND because not many school have such a strong community service department but we do. We’ve been given an opportunity to shine in that area so I think it is our responsibility to carry that on after high school and to college, the workforce and our family life.
Lisa: What do you tell other kids about why should help others?
Jessica: It does make you feel good but that should not be why you should be helping others. It should be so that you can make an impact on someone’s life and make that person smile and give that person a moment of joy in the day because we are so lucky to be given so much. And some aren’t.
Grace: I think a part of that is recognizing our privilege and using that so that we can help others. Life isn’t about us. Our purpose on this earth is to live for each other. If you just live for yourself, you are not really living. Helping others makes you feel good but gives others a chance to see your light and you to see their light. I think that is really important to see good in others, and the love that you share with them. Service is definitely a way to do that with people you otherwise wouldn’t interact with.
Adopt A Book Has Given These Teens Passion
How time has flown! It was in December of 2011 when Hannah and Alexander (Alex) Laman – with help from their mom, Angela – were eight-year-olds inspired to share their love of reading with children who were less fortunate. They began collecting books from neighbors, community groups, classmates, and family and next thing I learned Adopt A Book, Inc. was registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Now those young kids are teenagers and their organization continues to grow. As of April, 2019, Adopt A Book has collected and 
donated close to 160,000 books. Schools, shelters, and health clinics/hospitals such as Hamilton County HeadStart programs and Healthsource of Ohio health clinic are among some of our most common recipients. Many of the kids who get those books have never been to a library, don’t have access to a library, or have never owned a book of their own.
I thought it’s be a great time to reach out to the Lehman’s to get an update on their work and their passion.
Lisa: You were in the 3rd grade when you began Adopt-A-Book. Where did the idea and inspiration come from?
(Hannah) – Alex and I had heard of schools who were less fortunate and didn’t have access to books or libraries. We had grown up reading and going to the library so we wanted to help other kids share our love of reading.
Lisa: What motivates you to keep working at it, as you are both now teenagers?
(Alex) – We are motivated by the idea that even the smallest thing can make a difference, and we want to continue spreading our love of literacy and learning any way that we can.
Lisa: What has Adopt A Book taught you about philanthropy and giving back?
(Hannah) – It has taught me that giving back is something that you’re never too old to do, and no matter what you’re doing you are still making a difference. It has humbled me as a person and made me much more grateful for all that I have.
Lisa: Do you now see yourself being a lifelong philanthropist? What does that mean to you?
(Alex) – Yes, I don’t think I will ever want to stop giving back to my community. That means putting others before myself, and doing anything that I can to help the community. Sharing the gift of literacy is such an important thing to do, and there will always be a new generation of kids to give it to.
Lisa: What is your favorite book?
(Hannah) – Alex and I have loved to read for almost our entire lives. I am very interested in realistic fiction and horror novels while Alex enjoys nonfiction and historical fiction.
Lisa: Are you involved with any other extracurricular activities at school? And how do you manage your time?
(Angela) – Hannah is a part of the drum line and percussion section in concert band, and she is also involved in student council. Alex runs cross country in the fall, is a part of the academic team in the winter, and is involved in the science bowl and science olympiad teams.
