Kudos to Elyria student for her cooking honor

BOUQUETS >> To Briana Keith, the 11-yearold Ely Elementary School fifth-grader who received a national recognition for her recipe for Thai Chicken Tacos. The announcement was made April 18 in the school’s gymnasium, much to her surprise.

Briana’s creation ranked in the top 40, out of more than 250 students, in the national Sodexo Future Chef Competition.

It didn’t take long for her to decide what recipe to use for the competition.

Briana said, “This recipe is something my mother taught me and something I was very confident in using. Cupcakes are one of my favorite things to make as well as the Thai Chicken Tacos I made for the competition. I often make dinner at home and have always loved to cook. I could see myself being a chef in the future.”

Superintendent Tom Jama said the district is proud of Briana’s accomplishment.

Jama said, “This is quite an amazing feat. It is absolutely fantastic to see how hard she worked at this and that she was deservingly rewarded.”

We congratulate Briana for her delectable recognition.

BOUQUETS » To Clearview Local Schools Superintendent Jerome M. Davis who was honored as an outstanding educator April 14 by the Ohio Alliance Of Black School Educators during the annual Administrators Banquet in Columbus.

Gloria Funches Noland, past president of the Ohio Alliance of Black School Educators and co-founder of Lorain County Alliance of Black School Educators, said Davis was one of the 15 best educators nominated in the state for the award.

Davis said, “Not many receive this award. To be able to receive that and represent our county and our Lorain County Alliance of Black School Educators is an honor.

“To be honored because of my passion for education is exciting. I really do believe our children are the future. To see someone like me represented at this occasion, lets them know that they can do it, too, and go far.” Well said, superintendent. Davis, a 1988 graduate of Admiral King High School, is in his third term as president of the Lorain County Alliance of Black School Educators.

He has worked at Clearview Schools for the last 16 years and is in his fifth year as superintendent.

We salute Davis on receiving the prestigious award for his dedication to education.

BRICKBATS » To Thomas A. Springborn, the 64-yearold Lagrange man who was sentenced April 20 to nine months in prison for sexual encounters with a 14-year-old girl.

Springborn pleaded guilty Feb. 22 to nine counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor for assaulting the girl on several occasions.

During his sentencing, Springborn apologized.

Springborn said, “I’m sorry. I wish it never happened.”

The girl’s mother, stepfather and grandmother were present for the sentencing and addressed Lorain County Common Pleas Court Judge D. Chris Cook.

The mother said the girl has had counseling and is doing better today.

She said, “This is supposed to be someone that I trusted. He’s a sick person and I hope he rots in jail for what he did, because it tore the family apart.”

Springborn betrayed the trust of a family.

And for his crimes, he’s where he belongs.

BRICKBATS » To the culprit posing as a police officer who robbed a 23-year-old Elyria man.

Elyria police Capt. Chris Costantino said the victim was visiting his girlfriend at 1:52 a.m., April 18, at the apartment complex at 283 Washington Ave., when a man attacked him outside the building.

The man was wearing all black with a white bandana covering his face and sported a hat that said “POLICE,” and a police-style badge around his neck.

Costantino said the victim told officers the man was yelling that he was police and to get on the ground.

The imposter then pointed a silver and black handgun at the victim and told him to empty his pockets.

The victim gave the “police” his iPhone and car keys and told him that was all he had.

The wannabe officer then attempted to put handcuffs on the victim, but he pushed the imposter and escaped.

The victim looked back and saw the phony officer flee to a nearby white vehicle, with other occupants, and leave the scene.

Costantino said, “This is obviously a concern, having someone robbing people while posing as a police officer. This is someone that we want to apprehend as soon as possible.”

The community will be a lot safer when this fake officer is removed from the streets.