“I’m looking forward to doing some part time work and maybe volunteering and traveling,” Trares said. “I would also like to spend time with family and friends.”

The list of activities Trares has been involved in a Hoban variety of activites at Hoban including being the head of the English Department for 21 years, National Honors Society moderator for 24 years and a member of LPCD for 10 years. She was also the coach of the faculty basketball team.

Although she has a degree to teach history and political science, Trares has been set on teaching English since her senior year of high school at St. Vincent where she was a member of the band.

“My English teacher was great,” Trares said “She was the one who influenced me to teach English.”

Trares graduated from the University of Akron and went on to teach first at Medina High School then went on to teach at Dayton, Our Lady of the Elms and Crestwood high school before arriving at Hoban in 1986. Although the dress code and the hairstyles have changed, Trares’s favorite part about Hoban has not.

“It’s the attitude of the students, the parents, the faculty and the administration that make Hoban a great place to teach,” Trares said. “You can’t teach values and it makes all the difference in the world.”

Trares enjoys teaching for many reasons, whether it was the school trips to Boston or reading English papers, she has enjoyed getting to know her students better.

“I thoroughly enjoy the trips with students and getting to know my students better through their writing,” Trares said. “One of my favorite things is when students come back and visit and seeing how they became professionals. It makes me feel like I kind of had a part in that.”

After almost a quarter of a century of working at Hoban and reminding her students to remain “Phat and Sassy”, Trares will miss Hoban and all of the people she has met.

“I’ve had a wonderful career here because of the students, faculty and administration,” Trares said. “I am happy to leave education with a positive feeling.”

The senior class officer elections were held on Friday, May 7 after eighth period. Seven juniors took center stage in Foley Commons to persuade the junior class compiled of over 200 students. Here is a quick synopsis of the speeches:

Allison Jackson: pushed for Mum Day improvements and more in-depth poster parties. Jackson harkened on the junior class’s responsibility to accept new roles such as prom court and senior security.

Emery Willis: assured that he would bring students’ ideas directly to student council and put them into action. Willis referred to his past experience on student council and also touched on the importantce of community involvement.

Riley Kramer: utilized “May 7th” as his platform and suggested that May 7 might not go down in the history books like the founding of the Greek Empire, but the voting on May 7 would vastly impact the senior year of the junior class. Kramer claimed that student council needed no major changes, rather a reinforced stance on past traditions, as he observed as junior class vice-president.

Liz Renner: showcased the motto “Carpe Diem” (seize the day) but urged her fellow juniors to make the most of the time that is remaining in the high school experience and making each day count. Renner suggested the institution of senior breakfasts on a regular basis.

Emily Orsini: took a traditional route throughout her speech focusing on her family tradition and her willingness to put in time and effort for her class. “Ask not what Hoban can do for you, but what you can do for our class,” Orsini said.

Ben Edwards: exploded on the election scene with the help of friends Mario Caprez and Jack Myers who played the guitar as he parodied “Jumper” with such lyrics as “Vote for Beeee–eeeee-en.” Edwards claimed he would make Mum Day “really awesome” and that he “would understand” if students did not vote for him.

Ian Kay: used a conversational approach to his speech and laid down the story of how he transferred from Walsh Jesuit, where he felt like an outsider, to Hoban where he felt like he belonged to part of the Hoban family. Kay stated that he has lead by example and is now ready to put his leadership skills to use.

Voting took place in all tenth period classes. When the votes were tallie, Emery Willis emerged as senior class president with his vice-presidents as Ben Edwards, Emily Orsini and Riley Kramer. Alexis Becker was voted junior class president with vice-presidents Allie Weiss, Abbey Dankoff and Kristin Brennan. Soon to be sophomore Allie Griffith captured the class crown and her vice-presidents will be Dominic Orsini, Adam Gray and Katie Stepanek. Spirit Committee and Activities Committee will be formulated later this week.

The Boss Award, given to adults who spend their time with the youth in the community, is named after the 1952 recipient of the service award, George Boss. As president, Boss was influential in starting the Bantam Football League and gave the Touchdown club its motto, “If you can’t be in a sport – be one.”

Kurtz, the youngest of six children to attend Hoban, is the youngest recipient of this award. He was recognized for his coaching with CYO and his coaching and interaction with ATC and Special Olympics.

Every weekend, he drives down from Lake Erie College to Hoban to help train the young Olympians to make sure they are fit to compete. He always arrives early to help setup and stays after to clean. Through this he is living out the Moreau teachings that are taught to all Hoban students.

“Michael has an abundance of love and loyalty to his family and the program which makes him a unique and special person who lives up to his grandfathers expression ‘It is just what you do,’” Lancianese (Cathy) said.

But for those who don’t know Kovesci, he isn’t the average teacher. A decorated Navy sailor, Kovesci served in the U.S. Navy for four years. He started his career in the Navy right out of high school at age 18 and he turned 19 on a Navy aircraft carrier, USS Saratoga, that was heading to Vietnam.

During his time in Vietnam, he was responsible for the repairing and maintenance of the combat systems on the A7E Corsair II, a light attack bomber for the Navy. After four years, he completed his service and became a manager in a multitude of manufacturing organizations. It wouldn’t be the last time he worked on a war bird, though. In 2008 Kovesci’s son, Ben, who is a Navy Flight Officer (flies in a F-18 Superhornet), called and told him that there was a plane at their favorite museum, MAPS, and that it was from his squadron.

“I went down and there it was, lying on the ground in pieces,” Kovesci said. “I knew I would have to repair it.”

Kovesci’s emotional ties to the war led him back to this project.

“I lost two pilots from my squadron over there. It just wouldn’t be respectful to their memory to leave it there to corrode away,” he said.

The plane was in such disrepair that it was hardly recognizable.

“It was in bad shape… it’s flaps were on the ground broken, the cockpit’s dome was off and on the ground, it’s wing tips were off and on a pallet outside,” Kovesci said. “Oh and don’t even get me started on the paint, you could strip the paint off just by running your thumb down the side.”

So he started working on the plane in 2008 by attaching the flaps and cockpit dome. After an artist volunteered to come out and professionally stencil the head of a horse on the tail of the plane, it was time for the finishing touches. Kovesci dedicated the plane to the VA-105′s pilots that died in Vietnam, Lt. John J, Cabral and Lt. Larry R. Kilpatrick.

With that done, it was ready for it’s unveiling at the Pancake Breakfast on April 25. This isn’t the end of his project though, but just the beginning because next he plans to restore the cockpit.

“When I’m done with that I might help some of the other guys repair a F-11 Navy fighter,” he said.

A journey that started at age 18, continues as Kovesci enters his 50s…all in tribute to those whose lives were lost defending the country.

It is nothing new to hear “the movie was not as good as the book”. When a book becomes a movie, it never follows the exact story line, even when the screenplays are written by the same author. But even with the discrepancies, The Last Song is definitely still worth viewers’ time.

Like in all novel-to-movie creations, many vital scenes and information that effected reader’s emotions were lacking, most likely due to time limits. Obviously in a 400 plus-page book every extra detail would make the hour and forty-seven minute movie much longer.

The Last Song begins when a troubled Ronnie and her little brother Jonah are forced to spend the summer at the beach with their father Steve. This all sounds like the perfect summer vacation except Ronnie passionately hates her estranged father and blames him for her parents’ divorce.

Ronnie continues to strain the relationship by quickly befriending the town’s disturbed loose cannon Blaze and her fire obsessed boyfriend Marcus, who is less than trustworthy.

And of course Will, the cocky athletic hunk, who manages to literally knock Ronnie off her feet the first time they meet.

Even with the discrepancies between the novel and movie, it still had a powerfully profound message about family, friendship and first loves that is sure to emotionally move its audience.

The Last Song is a lesson of forgiveness and acceptance. It shines a light onto the dangers of judging by appearances and makes audiences reflect on areas in their own life in which they need to dig below the surface.

If viewers choose to read the novel before seeing the movie, they would already be aware that tissues are a must when going to see this movie. It will make viewers laugh with tears of joy and cry bitter tears of sorrow and regret.

Many readers may feel resentment if they experience the novel before the movie, but as the Father in Sparks’ latest novel said, “You have to love something before you can hate it.”

“They turned America over to fags; they’re bringing them home in body bags.” “Thank God for 9/11.” “Thank God for dead soldiers.”

These slogans graced signs held by members of Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas when they protested against gay rights at a Maryland funeral of an American marine killed in Iraq. The church rationalizes their actions by saying that God is punishing America for its support of gay rights when soldiers die in battle or when terrorsists strike.

“A funeral is a time to mourn the passing of a loved one. Protesting and picketing have no place at a funerals,” teacher Tom Hottinger said. “It certainly doesn’t present this church in a good light. People do have their own beliefs about homosexuality, but these comments make one wonder if this church is really a church.”

This church, Westboro Baptist, is a congregation made up of about 60 members, most of whom are related to the pastor of the church, Fred W. Phelps Sr. The congregation targets funerals because it creates the most media attention for their cause. But at what expense are they furthering their cause and is the cost worth it?

“Legally the first amendment protects the picketer’s right of free speech. Having said that, I do not believe it was appropriate to say or show by signs what they thought at a private funeral,” Hottinger said. “I believe that they should not have been there in the first place.”

In an interview with Dennis Drenner from The New York Times, Albert Snyder, the father of the deceased marine, Lance Cpl. Matthew A. Snyder, revealed his motivations for legally going after Westboro Baptist Church.

“If I can take whatever they have and stop them, good,” said Snyder. “I was not motivated by money. I want to shut this church down, if you can call it a church. I call it a cult or a hate group. I sat in that courtroom for a week-and-a- half and never once heard them say a good thing about God.”

The case is bigger than just Snyder’s family. The Snyder’s were not specifically targeted for any reason and were not the only victims. The church is vehemently attacking other families at funerals making a somber ceremony an even greater tragedy.

“I had seen them do it to another family,” Mr. Snyder said, “and it brought back all the bad memories. I don’t even know how I got the courage to do it. I was like the papa bear: ‘You can do anything to me, but don’t try to do it to my children.’ Those people tarnished Matt’s coffin.”

Because of the outrageous behavior of these constitutionally protected protesters, 40 states and the federal government have enacted laws restricting funeral demonstrations.

“Morally they are wrong, even if they are defending their faith; they are going about it the wrong way,” senior Marie Kunze said. “There is no doubt about the protests at the funeral crossing a moral line. Treating people like that is anything but moral and it gives the churches and religions a bad name and starts a chain reaction of violent activity.”

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida – With miles of blue waterways, soft golden sand beaches and soothing, gentle ocean breezes, Fort Lauderdale is a domestic marvel to be seen this spring break. From hitting night clubs to making sand castles, Lauderdale offers fun to both the young and the young at heart.

Aruba, U.S.V.I – Bon Bini! …Welcome! This “One Happy Island” has perfect weather, gorgeous beaches and shimmering seas that are sure to capture your attention. Offering unrivaled beauty, rough waves crash against Aruba’s east coast while the west coast has smooth, vast, white sand beaches. The island also includes caves, natural rock bridges, dunes, deserts, vibrant plant life, rich aquatic environments and a bird sanctuary. Strong trade winds breeze over the island making Aruba a world-class windsurfing destination. Windsurfing shops on the island provide all the necessary equipment and instruction from beginners to advanced boarders. Swimming and snorkeling at any beach is effortless as the sea floor gently slopes into the Caribbean. All types of water sports are available and several WWII wrecks provide for exciting dive sites.

The Baha¬mas – With electrifying nightlife, water sports, fishing and family activities, the Bahamas provide a tropical resort for thousands of spring break enthusiasts. Guests can swim in the open water with trained dolphins, lounge away the days on a white sand beach and party the nights away.

Negril, Jamaica – Waterfalls, pristine golf courses and friendly Rastas await visitors at Negril, a foreign wonder for spring break enthusiasts. Tourists can explore the island via bicycle, motorcycle, jeep or even horseback. Jamaica offers activities such as snorkeling, scuba, golfing and jungle excursions. However, lounging on the beach enjoying the warm ocean, sand and sunshine is one activity that never goes wrong.