Celebrating staff, students, community

SANDUSKY — Superintendent Dan Rambler will never turn down an opportunity to applaud his district. On Thursday, Sandusky Schools hosted its annual State of the Schools Address. The event is an opportunity for the district to celebrate its students' academic, athletic and artistic achievements, update the community on what is happening within the buildings' walls and present members of the community with Lifetime Achievement Awards. "It's a great opportunity to celebrate our kids also the community as well for all their support," Rambler said. Rambler said his top achievements to celebrate were the Lifetime Achievement Awards and Blue Streak Univeristy. Blue Streak University Blue Streak Univeristy is a list of students who are currently enrolled at Sandusky Schools but are earning college credits. The students are celebrated for their GPA, how many credits they take and how much money they save. Ten students were recognized as members of Blue Streak University. Their total savings are equal to about $663,845. Casey O'Rork was placed in the top spot for taking the most credits. He has saved his family $70,521, which translates to about three years of college. Lifetime achievement Ron Maschari and Joe Hayberger were honored for their dedication to the district and Sandusky community with Lifetime Achievement Awards. Ron is a native of Sandusky and a former teacher, principal and substitute principal at the district. He was described as "the man, the myth and the legend" as his impact on the school district was recognized. He is also active in the community as a volunteer and is involved with his church. "We're extremely proud of him," Matt Maschari, Ron's son, said. "He's always been a role model to our family and the community. It feels good to finally have it recognized." Matt said his father and Hayberger have been friends for years, so it was nice for the two of them to be recognized together. Hayberger is also a lifelong Sanduskian, teacher and active community member. He has a list of accomplishments including "Teacher of the Year" and is the creator of initiatives like the "We Care" Christmas food program, but during his thank-you speech, he said his greatest achievement was his family. "I didn't see it coming. It was totally out of the blue," Hayberger said. "It made me stop and think, 'This is really cool'. It's nice to be thought of again." Other highlights • Aquatic Center Update: The district will host a grand opening of its aquatic center on May 27. It will feature six lanes, a new accessible spectator section, new locker rooms and more. The center will serve the district, its swim team, Swan Club program and the community. • Visual art awards: Twelve students were recognized for their visual arts honors. • Musical awards: Eighteen students were selected for the BGSU High School Honor Band, 22 high and middle school students were selected to be part of the OMEA District II High School Honor Band, nine students received superior ratings and two students received excellent ratings from the OMEA District II High School Solo & Ensemble Adjudicated Event. • Choir awards: Fourteen high and middle school students were selected for the Ohio Music Education Association's District Honor Choir, Natalie Wightman and Zachary Haas were selected for the Ohio Music Education Association's All-State Choir, seven students were chosen for the BGSU Honor Choir, Wightman was also accepted into the American Choral Directors Association's National Honor Choir and 14 students participated in the Ohio Music Education Association's Solo and Ensemble. • Academic honors: Three students scored a 30 or higher on the ACT. Ava DeFreitas and Hugh Griffiths scored 30 and William Thomas scored 31. • Leadership: Ky'Savion Hunter will represent Sandusky High School at the 2025 Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership Academy. • Athletics: Two football players, two female bowlers, three boys and the boys bowling team, three wrestlers, one swimmer and the swim team, a girls basketball player and the boys basketball team were announced for their athletic honors. Seven individuals and the 1992-93 boys basketball team were entered into the district's athletic hall of fame. • Building notes: A district official from each of the district buildings shared updates on what is happening at their schools. • Credentials: Two healthcare, three welding and three aviation students were recognized for earning credentials in their fields of study.