Tusky Valley celebrates new auditorium while reflecting on bus crash victims
ZOARVILLE (WJER) (Jan. 8, 2024) – The Tusky Valley School District has unveiled the new Middle-High School building’s $5 million performing arts center with impassioned speeches and musical performances.
Sunday was the grand opening of the new auditorium, which was still being built when the school opened in September.
School Board President Richard Gooding acknowledged the donors who made it possible, since the auditorium wasn’t eligible for the state funding program that helped pay for the new school. Superintendent Derek Varansky was proud of the opportunities this facility will create for students.
District Director of Operations Mark Murphy said the theme of the ceremony was “stepping forward” while also reflecting on the charter bus tragedy.
Abby Gaynor, whose mother Kristy was one of the six people killed in the November 14th crash, spoke about not quitting during trying times.
Longtime Tusky Valley School Board Member Sally Green was recognized for being appointed president of the Ohio School Boards Association in 2024.
Others in attendance Sunday included Governor Mike DeWine and student Brynn Goedel, who was making her first public outing since her recent release from the hospital where she was treated for injuries sustained in the bus crash.