By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

The Aurora girls soccer team recently used their platform to turn sports into more than a game.

Last Monday, before the Greenmen went on to defeat Chagrin Falls 5-0, the group celebrated its annual Teachers Appreciation Night.

Each player on the team selected an educator to spotlight who has made an positive impact in their life.

The group of teachers who were celebrated included:

Mrs. Biro, Biology

Mr. Dingman, Mathematics

Mrs. Janzig, Speech-Language Pathologist

Miss Karakostas, Social Studies

Mrs. Kington, English

Mr. Rakow, Mathematics and Computer Science

Mr. Rubin, Social Studies

Mr. Sheely, Science

Mr. Berrodin

Mrs. Rorabaugh, Health-Physical Education

Mr. Goodman, Social Studies

Mr. Horvath, Science

Mrs. Lindley, English

Mrs. McVay, Academic Resource Center

Mr. Radtke, Social Studies

Mrs. Schadle, Social Studies

Mrs. Simmerman, Mathematics

Mr. Tirpak, Mathematics

Mr. Brancazio, Mathematics

Madam Cook, French

Mr. Head, Art

Mrs. Franchini, English

Ms. Lembo, Science

Mr. Mack, Mathematics

Mr. Force, Mathematics

Mrs. Sferra, School Counselor

Mrs. Sunderhaft, Gifted and Talented Students

Mrs. Tyrrell, Social Studies

Mrs. White, English

Mrs. Brown, Spanish

Mrs. Daniels, English

Mrs. Wesoloski, Science

Mr. Gerome, Social Studies

Mrs. Sedlak, English

Mr. Stenger, Social Studies

Mrs. Tartabini, Reading Specialist

AURORA HONORS BILL KECKAN

Aurora honored longtime football chain gang volunteer Bill Keckan last Friday before the start of the Greenmen game vs. Copley.

Keckan has been a volunteer for 20 years and was honored with a plaque from Aurora Board of Education President Pam Mehallis.

Keckan was honored as a 2023 Portage Sports Volunteer of the Year.

At that time, athletic director Paul Powers said: ““Bill and his crew are a very important part of our Friday night game-day operations. He takes his job seriously and has received many compliments over the years regarding the quality of his work.”

ROCKETS RECEIVE TOP AWARD

The Streetsboro High School “Captains Council” program was awarded the Youth Initiative Award at the 2025 Celebrate Portage banquet.

Receiving the award for the Rockets was athletic assistant Jon Hannan, along with council members Bri Hushion and Marcus Peters.

Streetsboro High School athletic administrator Jon Hannan (far left) stands with Bri Hushion and Marcus Peters to accept the Celebrate Portage honor.

AKRON SUPPORTS TALLMADGE CHALLENGER BASEBALL

The Tallmadge Challenger Baseball fall team welcomed some special guests to one of their games recently between Sand and Maroon.

The group was joined by the University of Akron baseball team, as well as Team IMPACT’s Brodyn Leslie.

Local players enjoying the opportunity and an amazing season include Jacob Chaya and Blair Reichley.

Team IMPACT matches children facing serious illness and disability with college sports teams, creating longterm and life-changing experiences for everyone.

RECORD-SETTING KICK

Rootstown junior Blake Mullaly set a new school record for longest field goal (48 yards) during the Rovers’ victory over Beachwood in Week 5 at Robert C. Dunn Field.