United school board hears from fifth-grade student journalists

HANOVERTON -- The United Local School District Board of Education heard from four fifth-grade students practicing journalism at school during its regular meeting Wednesday.

Colton Wright, Ben DuVall, Tatym Sigler, and Tyler Marhefka described to the board how they and the nine other fifth graders in the program choose topics, interview people, investigate, write up, and publish their articles.

"We're only fifth graders, but you'd be surprised by how much we can get done," Wright said. "Our job is to go around the school and interview students, teachers, and faculty."

The students have conducted about 34 interviews and currently have a list of 10 investigations they want to pursue, like the Spread Eagle Tavern and its part in the Underground Railroad.The short articles are then published on the school district's website, Facebook, or Thrillshare-- an online platform for schools.

Articles have been published about teachers, Superintendent Lance Hostetler, Zep's Pizza, and the burning mysteries of the boiler room, or school "dungeon," and the janitor's closets.

The journalism group is led by literacy specialist Andrea Groubert, who has taught for 29 years and works with all reading and writing students in kindergarten through 12th grade. This is the first year Groubert has led anything like the journalism class, which students participate in on Wednesdays and Thursdays, DuVall said.

The students can pursue essentially any topic that interests them and investigate.

"We're basically guinea pigs," Sigler said.

The group has also looked into the history of United Local School and Hanoverton and interviewed Zep's Pizza and other local businesses, as well as several staff and students at United.

Each of the four students then asked a different school board member to schedule a time for an interview.

Board member Ruth Ann Rinto asked Sigler and the other students what person they would most like to interview in the world, "maybe Taylor Swift?"

"O no, please," Sigler said to laughs.

She instead said she would like to interview one of the players on Ohio State's women's basketball team, like Jacy Sheldon or Rikki Harris.

The three boys said they would like to interview a famous soccer player.

Rinto also asked if any of the students were interested in pursuing a career in journalism or investigative reporting.

"I'm still 10, I don't know," Marhefka said.

Also on Wednesday, the board approved plans for the varsity softball team to travel to Myrtle Beach, S.C. for The Ripken Experience from March 24, 2025 through March 29, 2025.

The Ripken Experience is a "state-of-the-art complex" that "offers nine replica fields of historic Major League ballparks, each featuring unique field dimensions and playing experiences every game," according to the Ripken Experience website.

A supplemental contract for Niki Blazer as head varsity girl's soccer coach for the current school year was also approved.

The board also approved supplemental contracts for the current school year for Samantha Cope as junior high track coach, Preston Fillman as assistant varsity track coach, and Rachael Markijohn as assistant junior high track coach. The board approved the retirement resignation of Gary Collins as custodian, effective June 30.

A cookie dough sale for the high school track team, a softball fundraiser youth clinic, and a fundraiser by Vitality Wellness for the American Heart Association were also given the green light by the board.

The United Local School District Board of Education will next meet at the United High School library at 6 p.m. April 10.

ehouk@mojonews.com