KEN GASCH (center) choreographs a scene from "Schoolhouse Rock Live!" recently at the Ashtabula Arts Center. Gasch has been in 18 productions. Tonight he appears in the Conneaut High School version of "Once Upon a Mattress."
By BECKY SIMPSON
CONNEAUT - He has a 4-point grade average, is involved various volunteer
work, has been in more than 18 theater productions, has already been accepted
to four colleges, has won the Phi Beta Kappa award for leadership and accomplished
a lot more
No, he isn't Superman, although you are almost right. The answer is 17-year-old
Ken Gasch, a senior at Conneaut High School.
Throughout his years at CHS, Ken has been involved in Student Council, Men's
Choir, Jazz Band, Pep Band, Teen Institute and Key Club. This year he is
the vice president of National Honor Society, the managing editor of the
CHS newspaper, the president of the Thespian's Society and treasurer of
Student Council.
And last year, he was co-captain of the band. All of his activities helped
him to be honored as both Student of the Month and Five-Star Student of
the Month at CHS, as well as earning him the Phi Beta Kappa award for the
leadership.
Not only is Ken highly involved in his high school, but he also finds time
to volunteer and give back to his community. Most of his work has been with
the youth. He has worked for five years with the Lion's Club Safety Town,
tutored students in the Right Track curriculum and served as the Fire Pup
for Fire Prevention program.
Beginning at the end of his sophomore year, Ken became very interested in
theater. Since then he has been in more than 18 productions at the Ashtabula
Arts Center and Conneaut High School. Some of his favorites include "Grease,"
"Bye Bye Birdie," "The Nutcracker" and "A Midsummer's
Night Dream."
Most recently he was the co-director and choreographer of the Arts Center's
production of "Schoolhouse Rock Live!" He was also the featured
performer in one number, called "Zero, My Hero". Tonight he will
be in the opening performance of "Once Upon A Mattress" at CHS,
where he will play the principal role of the Jester.
"Sometimes I would go straight from school to "Mattress"
rehearsal, then to work at Newcomb's Sport Forty and then from work to "Schoolhouse
Rock" practice," Gasch said. Finally, after the Arts Center I
would go home to start my homework. I was often exhausted, but everyone
makes sacrifice for the things they're dedicated to."
All of Ken's talents and achievements have earned him acceptance into four
colleges. Right now he is trying to decide among Ohio University, State
University of New York at Buffalo, Case Western Reserve University and New
York University. Regardless of where he ends up, Ken plans to major in Theater
and/or International Communications.
"I can't really take credit for anything I've accomplished," Gasch
said. "I really owe it all to my friends and parents, and (CHS play
director) Steve Rhodes and the Lowes," referring to the art center's
Darrell and Deborah Lowe.
Ken is the son of Larry and Angie Gasch.
Simpson, a Geneva High School senior, has been in several local productions
herself, include "Schoolhouse Rock Live!" She will dance and
sing for you upon request.
An Amber Thompson column
My 17th birthday I had envisioned my new word processor, a cookie cake
and my parents beaming at me. The best gift of all that I'd received was
my dad's health.
In my article last month, I called my dad "The King of Calm" for
his patient driving lessons. This time I dub him "King of Courage."
My dad found a little growth about the size of a mole behind his eye. Doctors
kept a watch on it and it had not grown or obstructed any vision. Everything
was fine until December.
He had noticed his vision grew blurry in one eye, but he thought it was
just failing eyesight due to age, only it got so bad, he couldn't even focus
in on the center of anything.
By then, it was the day before my birthday. We celebrated early, just in
case the news was bad.
My birthday was spent worrying until they came home. He had cancer. The
tumor was at the end of the optic nerve.
I can't really say I felt any one emotion. I felt frozen as I watched my
mom talk "ifs" and "we might have to's," but I watch
as my brave dad accepted this horrific news. That made me stronger.
After considering many costly and timeconsuming treatments, my dad chose
to remove his entire eye. He figured he would lose all vision in it anyway
and it would be less troublesome.
Those nine hours spent waiting with my aunt and mom seemed to be days. I
think that's the first time I actually let myself feel anything. It took
all I had to stay strong and not go into hysteria.
My dad chose to come home that night and on the way, his head rested heavily
in my lap from the anesthetics. That, I will never forget.
My father was lucky. The cancer has not reappeared so far and he's in no
pain. I was able to get through this by the love of several people.
One friend really helped through conversation and offering an ear that was
always available. You know who you are and thank you.
That is what my dad calls "a major inconvenience" and I look at
his accepting attitude, though positive, and I think, "If he can face
death and not bat an eye, I can learn something from this," and I have.
It was a wakeup call. Every day is a gift and it is not guaranteed. What's
depressing was my dad is in perfect health.
It's pretty sad when you can't trust that any more.
Hey, things are getting pretty theatrical around here. First
ya' got Ken Gasch's theatrical experience and now there's Alexandra Guerriero.
She was chosen as a member of the Ohio Company at the Cleveland Playhouse.
That's six actors who perform in the Children's Theatre series at the playhouse.
(Hey, but you knew that.)
She performed in "Aransi The Spider" and is Mr. Toad in the children's
classic "The Wind in the Willows." We've never featured a frog
before. Cool.
She is a senior at Kent State University, studying for a bachelor of fine
arts degree in acting. She wants a career in international theatre.
Ribbit.
Now we aren't saying you should do this yourself, but consider the case
of Sean O'Brien. He has his own Internet site and used it to say some, well,
disparaging things about his band teacher at Westlake High School near Cleveland.
Among them: the guy has a bad haircut.
His comments include, "He likes to involve himself in everything you
do, demands that band be your No. 1 priority and favors people."
The school suspended him for 10 days. A temporary restraining order overruled
the suspension after eight days, at least until a court hearing April 3.
O'Brien says the action violates First Amendment rights, especially since
he did this away from school.
Chris Link, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of
Ohio, said, "The school cannot control the communication off the school
grounds."
The lawsuit seeks a court order declaring that the suburban Cleveland district
violated O'Brien's First Amendment rights and asks for $550,000 in damages
from various school administrators and the district.
Maybe the band director should get a better haircut, too.
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