Perkins celebrates student successes

PERKINS TWP. — The Perkins High School student body gathered in the gymnasium Monday morning to celebrate classmate Lucas Salmon's state wrestling championship, which he won Saturday night in Columbus.The original plan was to call the assembly to honor Salmon, but the idea morphed into something much bigger. [gallery]All of the Pirates' state placers at the wrestling tournament were recognized. So were the athletes who placed at the recent state swim meet and indoor track & field meet. Other students also were recognized, including the robotics team, the academic challenge team, art students, band and choir members and others."It came about because we had an individual state champion, but we took that idea and tweaked it," Perkins athletic director Matt Smith said. "I was really impressed."The PHS staff didn't have much time to pull the event together. Salmon won his state title about 36 hours before the assembly. Smith said emails were sent out Sunday to determine who else should be recognized, and the school staff huddled Monday morning to finalize plans.The event built steam and turned into a fun way to begin the week. A drum corps led Salmon and his wrestling teammates through the school, and the student body lined the hallways from the pool to the gym.Perkins principal Jeff Harbal spoke at the event, as did wrestling coach Travis Crabtree and Salmon, who thanked the community for its support.Smith said the last time the school held such an event was during the 2012-13 school year when the girls golf team won a team title and Maddy Mullins was the state individual medalist. Also that school year, swimmer Sean Mulvin won the 100 freestyle at the state meet and was part of a pair of winning relays.Salmon was the Pirates' first state champion wrestler since 2009, when Jonathan McGookey won the 152-pound state crown.Smith said the event was so well received that it might happen again."We talked about making it annual event because it was such a cool thing for the student body to see what everybody is doing," he said. Here's a complete list of the Perkins students who were recognized Monday morning:Ian Hemphill — Ranked 29th in the world in drone racing and was drafted and will compete in a pro drone league.Scholastic Art Show — American Vision award winners Kyler Capizzi and Jay Hunter; Gold Key — Vivian Holop, Spencer Rumer, Keegan Kimberlain, Aaliyah Staveskie, Linh Ngo, Jay Hunter, Kyler Capizzi; Silver Key — Kara Capizzi, Maria Schoder, Mia Wobser.Governor's Youth Art Exhibit — Aaliyah Staveskie's piece was the third from Perkins to be selected for the highly competitive exhibition.9th Congressional Art Show — Linh Ngo received the Toledo University Art Department Award; Ireland Bennett received the American Frame Rising Star Award; Dianna Schoder received congressional show honorable mention.Three ensembles and six soloists received superior ratings in band at the District 2 band and choir solo and ensemble.Ensembles: Clarinet Trio: Beth Comparette, Kamryn Ohly, Audra Sennish; Woodwind Trio: Libby Cassidy, Audra Sennish, Chloe Highlander; Mallet Ensemble: Jon Washington, Jaron White, John Boose, Kaden Hiser.Soloists: Audra Sennish, Libby Cassidy, Jaron White, Hannah Baum, Riley Hirshman, Keegan Mominee.Kaylin Barnette, Isabel Roberts and Mikala Schippel received superior ratings in choir.The Perkins Academic challenge team finished third in the Firelands Challenge.The Perkins robotics team finished 10th this past weekend at the Miami Valley Regional and had the highest score overall in an individual round.Perkins High School students clap for state champion Lucas Salmon during an assembly in the gymnasium on Monday, March 11, 2019, in Perkins TownshipIndoor track athletes Olivia Schnittker, J'Andre Jackson and Parker Brown are honored during an assembly at Perkins High School on Monday, March 11, 2019.During an assembly to recognize winter athletes Monday morning, Perkins wrestling state champion Lucas Salmon thanks everyone for their support as he competed at the individual state tournament in Columbus last Saturday.Perkins sophomore Ian Hemphill stands as he is recognized for his drone racing achievements during an assembly at Perkins High School on Monday, March 11, 2019.During an assembly at the high school on Monday, Perkins wrestling coach Travis Crabtree talks about the events leading up to Lucas Salmon's state final match last Saturday in Columbus.Perkins' Logan Schoen turns to wrestling teammate Lucas Salmon during an assembly to recognize recent state placers and qualifiers on Monday, March 11, 2019, at Perkins High School. Schoen placed fifth at 132 pounds in Division II at the individual state tournament in Columbus last Saturday.