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The
Official Newspaper of Anamosa, located in Jones County, Iowa
Anamosa News
Since 1855
 Thursday, April 24, 2008
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Former Martelle Resident Named Ms. Wheelchair Iowa
By Michelle Phillips |
Ashley Lerch of Waterloo was just a small child when she was involved in a farm accident in 1987. Today, the 24 year-old women will represent Iowa in the Ms. Wheelchair America competition.
Ashley won the title of Ms. Wheelchair Iowa on April 12, 21 years to the day after a farm accident near Martelle that left her paralyzed from the waist down.
“I was riding with my father in his tractor when I got hot, and I attempted to open the window. Unfortunately, I hit the latch for the door. I fell to the ground and was run over,” Ashley explained.
She was rushed to the hospital in Anamosa and then airlifted to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Ashley was treated for multiple injuries including cracked ribs and a skull fracture that required monitoring. After two days, a blood clot formed in he spine, leaving her paralyzed.
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Ashley Lerch, center, was crowned Ms.Wheelchair Iowa on April 12. Lerch, a former Martelle resident, is pictured with other contestants in the competition. She will go on to compete at nationals in July. |
Ashley did not give up after the accident. Instead, she became an advocate for farm safety at an early age. She spoke at various events and served as a delegate for the 1994 National Safe Kids Summit.
“As I got older, I learned that being an individual with a disability meant I would have to be a good self advocate and advocate for my rights,” she revealed.
That desire to be an advocate is exactly what got Ashley to the Ms. Wheelchair Iowa contest. She was asked by her friend, Jackie Heinz, a former Ms. Wheelchair Iowa, and after reading the brochure for the pageant, agreed.
“As I looked at the brochure, I really became interested in the program, as part of its purpose was to promote disability awareness as well as empower individuals with disabilities to reach for their goals,” Ashley said. “I wanted to compete because I knew it would help me continue to raise awareness of disabilities.”
Advocacy is most important, and although the Ms. Wheelchair Iowa competition doesn’t come with monetary awards or scholarships, it does provide a venue for advocacy. The event focuses on women and empowering and educating women with disabilities, but Ashley works with both women and men with disabilities everyday. She is program associate at the University of Northern Iowa’s Student Disability Services office on its Waterloo campus.
“I work with students with disabilities, that are registered in my office, to arrange academic accommodations. I also am advising a newly created organization on campus called Awareness for Individuals with Disabilities that serves to promote awareness of disabilities on campus as well as provide a social support system,” she said.
She feels that she probably would not have the job she in if she had not been injured. “I was introduced to my current position as I received services from Iowa State University’s Disabilities Resources office. I also learned that I like to work with individuals with disabilities when I served as a staff member for the Youth Leadership Forum for High School Students with Disabilities.”
Ashley will compete for the Ms. Wheelchair America in Rockville, MD from July 21-27. Again, the title includes responsibilities, such as speaking, but no money or prizes.
Whether representing UNI, Iowa or the nation, Ashley sends this message, “I believe that people with disabilities should not allow their disability to dictate what they do in life. If an individual with a disability has a dream, they should continue to strive towards that goal and find ways to overcome the challenges their disability may create by giving up their dream.”
Ashley, the daughter of David Lerch and Kim Geltz, grew up near Martelle. She attended Anamosa High School and Iowa State University, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Genetics and Psychology in 2007. |
Ewald Reflects on Time with Anamosa Community School District, Looks Ahead to Future
By Michelle Phillips |
When I arrived at Strawberry Hill Elementary on a recent, soggy afternoon to interview Principal Reona Ewald on her upcoming retirement, Deneen Jordan told me she was teaching an art class. She added that Mrs. Ewald, as she is known to most, would only be a few minutes.
I took a seat at a small table outside her office. It reminded me of the few times I had been sent to the principal’s office for minor infractions of the rules.
When she arrived, she immediately apologized for her tardiness and invited me into her spacious office, where we sat and talked about her time at the Anamosa Community School District and what this next phase of her life may hold.
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Anamosa Principal Reona Ewald helps Annie Lin with her work on a recent afternoon. Ewald is retiring from her position, and her last day will be July 31. |
Q: How long have you been with the Anamosa School District?
A: Since 1969. I started out teaching first grade in Martelle. I became the principal here in 2002. I had been the assistant principal before.
Q: Why did you decide to focus on elementary?
A: The kids are refreshing. They’re almost always excited about what is going on around them.
Q: Why have you decided to retire?
A: I really feel that it’s time for new ideas and maybe a new perspective. When I became principal, I pretty much followed what Cynthia Britton had done.
Q: What do you have planned for your retirement.
A: I want to spend more time with my grandchildren and family and have some time to myself. My husband (Tom) and I will probably do some traveling, but I’ll still be involved in the community and the school.
Q: What have you enjoyed most in your time here? Will you sub after retirement?
A: The part I’ve enjoyed most is the relationships I’ve built with kids, and for me, subbing could not meet that need. I really enjoyed teaching first grade. The thing I think I like most about that was when the kids would get a sparkle in their eye and say, “I can read.” It was always heartwarming to see that revelation.
Q: What are you most proud of?
A: The Cornerstone program, to be able to offer families a choice of programming is very rewarding for me. It offers the same curriculum in a different manner. For example: flexible groupings for kids of all grade levels.
The Summer Reading Academy, that program allows students that are having difficulty with reading a fun way to practice their skills during the summer. It’s open to grades one and two.
The Preschool Grant, it provides preschool programming for all students and it provides free preschool for four-year-olds.
Q: What challenges have you faced during your time here?
A: Finding the resources to meet the needs of all the kids. To meet the diverse needs of all students, including those with special needs, which is a role I feel the public schools should take on because it provides more opportunity for growth.
Q: What will you miss the most?
A: The kids, the relationships with students and staff. I won’t miss the early morning calls for subs, though. It’s really a great staff to work with and that makes it harder to leave.
Q: Were you involved with the interviewing process for the new principal, Josh Lyons?
A: Yes there I was in on the interviewing and there were several groups including faculty, students and community members who interviewed the candidates.
I’m really looking forward to having him on board, we’re already communicating to make a smooth transition net year. Right now he’s helping to fill in the openings for next year.
Q: What else would you like to add?
A: the community of Anamosa has always been supportive of the schools and stepped up to meet their needs. The parents are supportive and want what’s best for the students.
I have really enjoyed it. It’s been a wonderful experiences.
When I started, if anyone had told me I ‘d be here this long, I wouldn’t believe them, but the varied experience in the different building has been very gratifying.
Q: What will be the hardest part of retiring?
A: The last day the kids leave will be hard for me. |
Lyons to Take Reigns at Strawberry Hill
by Michelle Phillips
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The Anamosa Community School District has chosen Josh Lyons of Solon as the new Strawberry Hill principal. Lyons is currently the principal at West Elementary in Independence and was chosen from a pool of eight candidates.
“During my time in Independence, I was charged with directing the Title I reading program, monitoring and implementing aspects of professional development, managing the daily operations of the building collaborating with teachers, parents and other administrators, implementing the Respect and Protect anti-bullying and discipline program and many other duties that come with being the leader of the building,” Lyons commented on his experience as an administrator.
Lyons said he was excited to join the Anamosa Community School District, and he was drawn to the position because it is innovative and progressive, citing Cornerstone, Begindergarten and the preschool program.
“I’m excited to be a part of a district that is focused on continuous school improvement by designing a process or curriculum revision and making decisions based on instructional implementation and assessment data. I’ve always heard great things about Anamosa, and as I met more individuals involved in the interview process, it became more and more clear how much the stakeholders of this district care about their school and providing the best possible education for their children through quality curriculum and programming,” Lyons stated.
He said he would bring an optimism to the district. “Anything is possible given enough time, energy, support and resources to get the job done,” he said. “Ideas I bring to the district are those centered around the concepts of professional learning community that ask the questions, what do we want the students to know and be able to do, how do we know they are learning and what do we do when they are not learning?”
Lyons is married and has two children. He has a BA from Wartburg College and a Masters in Science Education and PK-12 administrative degree form Drake University. Lyons has coached, taught language arts and worked with students at every grade level.
“My greatest joy as an educator is that of watching students emerge successful learners and seeing the excitement on their faces when they finally ‘got it’!” he concluded. |
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