SHS receives honors
(The following are excerpts from the latest edition of Whippet Echoes. A big thank you to Mike Johnson and Greg Daniel for their continued work reporting for the SHS Alumni.)
For more information, you can check the SHS Alumni Association’s website at shelbywhippetsalumni.org or receive Whippet Echoes by contacting Greg Daniel at gdaniel0488@gmail.com.
Past Academic Challenge Teams
For over 50 years SHS students have participated in Academic challenge competitions. When Phil Pearson started his career at SHS, Kent Eiler, Superintendent for Shelby Schools asked Phil to start an academic team. The first challenge was in Mansfield and the students were on television.
The three students who attended the first challenge were Dave Witcy, Mary Ann Adam, and Barry Berdanier. In the second year, the team went to Toledo and was on Channel 13. SHS Principal, John Gies was on that team. SHS students attended the Academic Challenge at Toledo for approximately five years.
Eventually, the NOL Quiz team was organized, followed by Richland County Academic
Challenge. Eventually, SHS students were at the Academic Challenge in Cleveland and it was shown on Channel 5.
Current Academic Challenge Team
This year’s Academic Challenge team consists of Sadie Howarth, Cole Jenkins, Case Mongold, Audrey Pfahler, Lily Heydinger, Phil Snipes, Blake Stone, Peyton Montgomery, and Regan Stepp. Their advisor is English teacher, Grayson Murray 2009 SHS graduate.
SHS principal John Gies ‘84, reports that this year’s team had a very successful year. They participated in the North Central Ohio Educational Service Center (NCOESC) regular season and finished 3rd. They also participated in the NCOESC endof-year tournament and finished 2nd. Their last tournament was at the Mid-ohio Educational Service Center (MOESC) tournament and finished 2nd. The team picture is from their contest at the WEWS channel 5 Academic Challenge tournament in Cleveland.
SHS Band members at OSU honor Band Weekend
Casey Mccall became Director of Bands at SHS in June 2020. She feels a measure of pride in one particular achievement. She entered the
SHS band in a statewide competition that lead to the band the Ohio State University’s Honor Band Weekend.
Each band director is able to nominate up to 20 students. Casey nominated 12 SHS musicians. Statewide there were 900 nominations, of which 300 were
of Casey’s 12 nominations, and 3 were chosen. Once selected, those three students needed to prepare audition materials to video record and send to OSU.
The students went to the OSU campus on January 13th. They had the opportunity to watch the OSU Wind Symphony, the top auditioned band at the university. Afterward, each one was assigned which band they would play. They rehearsed Friday evening, all day Saturday, and Sunday morning.
The students closed out the Honor Band Weekend on Sunday with concerts at 1:30 (Gray Symphonic Band) and 2:15 (Scarlet Symphonic Band). Phil Snipes performed in the Gray Band, and Arica Uplinger and Case Mongold in the Scarlet Band. Both bands were directed by OSU music professors with performances in Weigel Auditorium, which is the School of Music’s main concert hall.
Coach of the Year
Last autumn the SHS Boys Cross Country team won its 6th straight MOAC championship. Three runners from that squad were named 1st team All-conference. Their coach, Chris Zuercher was named District 6 Boys Cross Country Coach of the year.
SHS Alumni Association supports student academics
Recently, Alumni
the SHS Association donated money for a set of TI-84 calculators for a math class at SHS. The association also provided funds for the purchase of books at SHS. The total donation was $2,163. If you would like to donate to the Alumni Association’s Bill Wilkins Memorial Student Achievement fund, send a check made payable to SHS Alumni Association to Treasurer, Alumni Association, 1
Whippet Way, Shelby, Ohio 44875. Or you can visit the Alumni website to donate. SHELBY – Shelby High alumni can now find information about upcoming events, giving opportunities, and alumni news on https:// shelbywhippetsalumni.org/.the website is sponsored by the Shelby High School Alumni Association in an effort to better communicate with alumni.