Anderson’s son, Kent, also a Xenia graduate, is the varsity boys basketball coach. Kent’s wife, Luanne, another Xenia graduate and teaching assistant at Tecumseh Elementary School, also volunteers and washes all the team uniforms following each game.
The locker room project, which features 20 red oak stalls built by the advanced woods class of Chad Muterspaw, a Xenia graduate, includes a custom marker board, carpeting and the school logo.
The district saved $12,500 by having the students build the units.
The class built a similar project last year for the girls’ basketball team. The $6,000 project was funded by Dr. Scott Phillippi, Brilliant Smiles Dentistry; John and Karen Holston, Xenia Glass and Lock; Greg Ross, Chapel Electric; and Brad Page, Page’s Flooring, Springboro. Remaining costs were paid for by the Xenia Round Ball Club through its golf outing, organized by the coaching staff.
P.E. department recognized
XENIA — The Xenia High School Health and Physical Education Department received the Ohio Department of Education’s Asset Builder Award during the Ohio Prevention and Education Conference in Columbus.
The Asset Builder Awards were established by ODE’s Safe and Drug-Free Schools program to recognize individuals and organizations that make a difference in the lives of students through effective prevention, intervention and youth development programs. Department Chair Jeri Copenhefer, along with staff members Kent Anderson, Al Bianco, Tony Greer and Mark Smith, used a team approach in serving as role models for their students.
To extend their efforts beyond school walls, the educators have established relationships with community agencies, local school board members and parents to enlist their involvement.
Xenia basketball attends clinic
XENIA — Xenia High School basketball players honed their skills recently at an one-day clinic with Jason Otter, one of the nation’s top basketball skills teachers.
Otter is a former college and professional basketball player and will offer individual skills camps in 2010.
All six girls and boys basketball teams — freshman, junior varsity and varsity teams — learned about speed development, ball handling, rope jumping, as well as basketball and life lessons.
Chamber helps district homeless
XENIA — Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals raised funds for Xenia Community Schools’ homeless program and recently presenting a check for $1,340 to Homeless Liaison Sandy Pramer.
The funds will help support the district’s work with children who are dealing with homeless issues.
Funds were raised at the group’s first after-hours event at Nick’s in Xenia. The school’s homeless program is primarily funded by a McKinney-Vento grant.
Community donations are used to purchase items not covered by the grant, such as food, clothing and personal hygiene items.