Noah's Ark is a big hit among parents, students and teachers at St. James of the Valley School in Wyoming.

        When asked for ideas of a sculpture to be designed and made through an artist-in-residence program, Noah's Ark was the overwhelming choice.

        “Parents, students and teachers made various paintings of the Ark,” said school secretary Cyndi Gelhaus. “The paintings were presented to sculptor Joe LaMantia, who was serving as the artist-in-residence through Advancement of Arts Education. He came and met with every class for about three hours discussing ideas and suggestions to put the ark together.”

        Mr. LaMantia helped art teacher Margo Antenucci get the project started, which involved all 195 students, kindergarten through eighth grade, along with parents and teachers.

        They put together the 10-by-10-foot ark using wood, metal and recycled material.

Seventh-graders Jerry Ash and Michael Ernst study the Noah's Ark that was unveiled Thursday at St. James of the Valley School in Wyoming. (Glenn Hartong photo) | ZOOM |

        They made and painted practically every species of animal.

        They even put in a few animals that Noah didn't have in his ark, like Godzilla and Tyrannosaurus Rex.

        “The ark is now a permanent part of the school,” Ms. Gelhaus said. “It has been bolted into a wall.”

        St. James received a $1,600 grant from Advancement of Arts Education, some of which was used for the project. The school also held several fund-raisers.

        Most of the materials were donated by parents and parishioners.

        The search is on for Ohio's 2002 outstanding older worker. The contest is sponsored by Experience Works, based in Lima, Ohio. The company is the country's largest provider of mature-worker training and employment.

        The company is takingnominations for outstanding older workers, America's oldest worker and outstand ing employers of older workers.

        Nominees must be 75 or older, a resident of the state and paid for working at least 20 hours a week.

        The winner must be willing and able to travel to Washington, D.C., in September for the Experience Works Prime Time Award program events.

        Workers who are part of a government-subsidized employment program are not eligible.

        The nomination must include the older worker's overall contribution to the business, such as longevity, experience, skill level and work ethic; any disabilities the worker has overcome to perform the job; and a description of community involvement.

        “The purpose of this contest is to bring the value of the older worker to the forefront,” said Kent Kahn, state director of Experience Works. “We usually get from 30 to 40 applicants. This is our fifth year of doing this.”

        Winners and a guest will receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington.

        Nominations may be mailed to Experience Works, P.O. Box 1847, Lima, OH, faxed to (419) 222-4150 or e-mailed to ohgthumb@bright.net.

        Entries for the oldest worker may be made on the Internet at www.experienceworks.org or by contacting the Experience Works state office at (419) 222-3118.

        The deadline is May 31.

       Allen Howard's “Some Good News” column runs Sunday-Friday. If you have suggestions about outstanding achievements, or people who are uplifting to the Tristate, let him know at 768-8362, at ahoward@enquirer.com or by fax at 768-8340.
       
       

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