Copley High School
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Copley High School Monday, DrumbeatNovember 9, 2009 Vol. 4 Issue 1 Copley remembers beloved teacher and coach By Laura Doncaster His memory is easily carried over to the 2009–2010 Big Time.’ ” school year. The Spirit Club designed T-shirts and Tolle Tow- “He is one of those guys everyone always appreciates, June 1, 2009 is a day that Copley High School will nev- els as a dedication. In addition, there is a dedication to Tolle but you don’t realize it until he’s gone,” said Addis. “He er forget. Coming into school that morning will always be on the school’s website, and there was a moment of silence was always riding us about how to make Copley better, and remembered as a devastating experience. Distraught students attributed to him I would give anything for him to be riding us lined the hallways, mourning the loss of a beloved teacher at this season’s again.” and coach. Mass texts and phone calls informed students of first home football “He would be uncomfortable with all the the terrible news. The school was relatively silent, interrupted game. attention. He was a great team player. He would only by the sound of mourning. Strong people broke down; “We are in tell us we were making too much of a fuss over football players and teachers had tears streaming down their the early stages of him,” said Addis. “Stuart always stood for the faces. The day was difficult to endure because everyone had making a schol- right things. He gave 100 percent as a teacher some connection to teacher and coach, Mr. Stuart Tolle. It arship fund in when he was in school, and as soon as school was obvious that he would be dearly missed. His passing was his honor and a was over he gave 100 percent to coaching.” heartbreaking, but even in death he somehow managed to bronze plaque to Head Football Coach, Mr. Ron Viscounte, bring Copley High School closer together. Everyone shared be placed in the remembers Tolle’s positive attitude and enthu- the same pain, the same loss, and the same despair; the school field house,” said siasm that he brought every day. became united in sorrow. Mr. Dana Ad- “Coaches and players could feed off this, Although the loss still resides, it is a new year, and the dis, Copley High which made the time more enjoyable,” he said. new year holds commemorations for such an admired person. School Athletic “He really led by example; he practiced what The full bleachers at the memorial service last spring showed Director. he preached.” the love and respect that students, players, and teachers had Track Coach “Coach Tolle was not only disciplined and for Tolle. Immediately after his passing, students started a Andrew Lyn- hardworking, but he also took advantage of ev- group on Facebook. R.I.P. Mr. Tolle currently has 1,530 den ran the Chi- ery opportunity and expected the kids to do the members. Hundreds of people posted goodbyes and thank cago Marathon same,” said Viscounte. you notes on the site. One stand-out testimonial was written in Tolle’s name. The football team has its own way of re- by 2001 Copley graduate and football player Willie Cook. In this remem- membering its coach by dedicating a portion “The thing that I loved about Coach Tolle was that, no brance, Lynden of its practice as “Tolle time,” said Viscounte, matter who you were, you could have been an all American raised money from which is “a high intensity session.” athlete, a geek, a nerd, a nobody, an outcast, Coach loved sponsors, and all Teachers, coaches, athletes, and students everyone the same and treated everyone the same. He was a donations went alike, were all willing to talk about Tolle. to the Stuart Tolle Coach Stuart Tolle on the football field with The reactions to hearing his name differed great man, and I try to live the way he lived and live in the Clare. Photo provided by Mr. Dana Addis moment and do everything with passion and perfection...” Scholarship Fund. between people. Some wore a look of sad- Track athlete and 2009 Copley graduate, Emily Rich- Donations are still ness, others broke down crying, while there ards, recounted her story of Mr. Tolle. being accepted to honor Coach Tolle. were those who simply smiled and laughed at the memories “A week before he died, Coach and I where chilling at Tolle was a man of dedication and hard work, and he of him. the track about to run, and he said ‘Emily, never get out of had a true passion for what he did. Addis recalls Tolle as al- Senior TJ Carter smiled as he remembered his football shape because when you’re old like me, it is impossible to get ways pushing for Copley to be “Big Time.” coach. The smile turned to laughter as he recalled a humor- back into it.’ I just laughed and said ‘Okay Coach Tolle.’ But “As we stood on the new football field, Mr. Tolle asked, Continued on Page 2 he is one of the reasons that I still run.” ‘When are we going to go Big Time?’ I laughed and said, ‘We are standing here on a brand new turf, I think that’s pretty See TOLLE Please don’t stop the music: Student bands sound off By Jessica Wharton grateful for the band’s success and accomplishments says he the band’s goal is to “make it big.” In order to do this Stakleff A typical day for most teenagers includes school, home- never expected to be in a band with these people and person- said they need to “write their own songs and record them.” work, and maybe an extracurricular sport or academic activ- ally, never thought he would be in one. The band is blessed with a home recording studio, thanks to ity. However, for a few individuals at Copley High School, After hours of long practices, the band now has an band member Hartman. Currently, the band is working on a typical day is more than just school work and sports. It is inseparable bond. recording another demo for anyone who wishes to listen to surviving the school day, resisting the temptation to doodle “I used to not know any of these guys, but we were classic rock. an endless number of song lyrics and drum a catchy tune able to bond like brothers, and they have become my best As far as songwriting is concerned, Stakleff said they during class with a pencil, friends,” said Stakleff. “write as they go, kind of like the Black Keys did.” They also all in the anticipation of Stakleff also re- hope to record some of their original songs soon. rejoining with their band ferred to fellow mem- Another out-of-school band at Copley High School is members after a long and ber Hartman as his Dying for a Second Chance. The band members include tedious day. “wing man” for this David Fresh, Dan McGuire, Graham Gilles, Johannes (Joe) Copley High School year. Although a few Vandermolen, Mario Buchonan, and Vince Paparella. The is home to several out-of- of the band members band started with the core members, Fresh and Gilles, and school bands, varying from have moved on to col- they then found connection to McGuire through their smooth melodious en- lege, they work to re- church group. The other members then fell into place. sembles to metal and rock main tight friends and “Having the band has strengthened my friendship with groups. There is a stereo- keep the band intact. all of these guys, I am able to know them better, otherwise, I typical view for these bands; As a high school, may have not even known them in passing,” said Fresh. “the wanna bes,” “the stuck and now part college, Dying for a Second Chance focuses its music on a wide in garage stage groups,” and band, Null Set tries variety of genres. Fresh said, “Currently, our focus has been the rebels of the school who to appeal to all audi- more mellow stuff, but we are trying to branch out.” sport their Tool and Kiss ences, but finds that Due to the fact that the band is “still in development,” shirts daily. However, they high school students its target audience still remains unknown, however, like any are out to prove a point and are most respon- good musical group, a listening ear is always appreciated. “make it in the big time.” sive to their music. As an inspiration, Fresh said, “it was more the time than One band that calls They have performed the people that inspired us to become a band and play.” Copley home is Null Set. Colin Hartman (left) and Sloan Stakleff (right) perform as the pep band at However, the band in no way lacks goals. “As of now, Comprised of Sloan Stakl- at a graduation party. Photo provided by Sloan Stakleff high school sporting we are trying to get some small gigs, but overall, we are trying eff, Pat Minor, Colin Hart- events, have played to get some big places to book us,” said Fresh. man, Alan Smith, and Alex at the K Stage, and “ Currently, the band is in the process of song writing and Niemira, this group focuses on playing classic rock. Stakleff, have had a lot of opportunities to play at graduation parties recording. Mainly, the writing is done by Fresh and Gilles, current spokesman for Null Set said that they got together this summer.” but all members are welcome to contribute.