November 24, 2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Sandra Sagear Wall of Courage, Plymouth High School

Jerry Trumpka & Steve Mann

Last Thanksgiving, we were asking for help to build the Sagear Wall of Courage. And this Thanksgiving, we can say that construction was completed on August 12 and that we were able to raise all the money needed for this project. The cost of the memorial wall was $30,000. This project would have remained "an idea" if it weren't for all the people who supported this project with donations and helping hands.

And now, it is our pleasure to acknowledge and thank everyone. It's not only right to thank these people, but it also feels incredibly great!

It was the Plymouth-Canton Interact Club, Steve Mann, and Plymouth Concrete who helped us complete the fundraising for the wall, as well as begin the funding for the Sagear-Rotary Scholarship. And it was a friend, Ruth Niemic, who started the fundraising off with the first donation.

There were many more who pitched in. Donations came in from Plymouth and Canton, … Georgia, Maine, Colorado, Pennsylvania, and New Mexico. (All donors will be acknowledged on a plaque near the memorial wall.)

Sandy Sagear contracted polio when she was 18 months old. She went to East Middle School and graduated with the Plymouth High School Class of 1969. She loved music and the Beatles. She even stood backstage when the Beatles performed at Olympia.

Her family and friends will tell you that she didn't complain;, she didn't want to be a poster girl for disabilities; she was smart, hard-working; she was the first to offer help and the last to take it.

But it was her love for school and her determination to be a student that inspired a group of people to create a memorial wall that honors Sandy. This memorial wall was designed to acknowledge Sandy for her strength, courage, spirit, and perseverance. We thought the best way to honor her, was to add names of other students who shared her optimism, hope, and tenacity. And we hope this wall send a strong message that all children are welcome in our schools.

Dennis Jones, local architect, artist and sculptor, designed and constructed this wall. He developed a dramatic presentation featuring an 18' x 9' multi-media design, which includes an alabaster sculpture and an extraordinary frame to display the names of all honorees.

The theme of the wall is "Imagine". In order to overcome obstacles, Sandy had to "imagine" she could. And she did.

Sandy Sagear's motto was: "Can't never did anything, Can did it all." She believed it. She lived it.

Sandy was right.

Thank you,

Jerry Trumpka and Debra Madonna

The Sagear committee:

Teachers and Community Members: Miles Edick, Debra Madonna, Frank Pavia, Roland Thomas, Jerry Trumpka, Barbra Wells
Students: Samantha Hemsley, Shirley Ma, Julie Patterson, Candace Watson

Joining us this year:

Students: John Madonna, Brian Smith, Angela Tablac
School Board Trustee: Carole Saunders

Meijers/Canton & Coca Cola Donate $2500.00

to the Sagear Memorial Wall.

(Left to Right) Dennis Jones, (Architect & Artist, Sagear Memorial Wall) Jerry Trumpka, (Plymouth Rotary AM).

Al Crosby, (Coca Cola). Pat Fuller (Meijers). Mike Mackiewicz, (Coca Cola).

East Middle School Teacher, Kayline Sherub, & her Skills for Adolescence Class donated $955.00 to the Sagear Memorial Wall.

The students had a bake sale and sold slushies at lunch.

(Left to Right) Dennis Jones, (Architect & Artist, Sagear Memorial Wall), Debra Madonna, (Sagear Committee).

Students: Rupinder Benipal, Gaby Cook, Gil Simer, Steve Goodhart, Kristen Kajduk, Matt Haling, Sarah Hudson, Tarik Khasawneh, Chris Kosbe, Kevin Leung, John Navarre, Jessi Olson, Kishan Patel, Lindsey Polderdyke, Brittni Puryear, Brian Quaranto, Greg Rallo, Josh Robertson, Kyle Ross, Lexy Shim, Summer Simpson, Samantha Stockton, Ryan Thompson, Ben Underwood, Emily Wang, Jasmin Webb

Central Middle School Principal, Marcia Porterfield, Jerry Trumpka, and Asst. Principal, Joyce Johnson, donated monies from a hat license sale to the Sagear Memorial Wall.

The students had a bake sale and sold slushies at lunch.

P-CEP Prom Fashion Show donated $1500.00 to the Sagear Memorial Wall.

Julie Patterson, Chairperson

Students: Karli Brandt, Emily Cannon, Dominique Duong, Greta Gatzke, Tara Bavioli, Gavin Gismondi, Jeff Hampton, Chad Hensley, James Jedinak, Maggie Jones, Lizz Kim, Diane Kobus, Brad Kompoltowicz, Jessica Leadford, Mike LeGault, Jenna Lewandowski, Dave Luick, Mike Luick, Celsius Magbitang, Don Magbitang, Mike Magat, Matt Marsico, Kirby Miles, Julie Patterson, Kristen Penk, Nick Prentice, Aaron Schneck, Leslie Shoemaker, Amanda Siemieniak, Katie Smith, Kellie Tamme, Pam Tokarski, Kristina Turczyn, Michelle Williamson

Stage Crew: Paul Bird, Ryan Jackson, Kim Black, Kim Nagy

Parent Helpers: Barb and Watson Zdrodowski, Linda Schneck, Mrs. Hampton

Special Thanks to Mara & Bill Patterson

Sponsors:

Tux Shops: Steve Petix, Canton Tuxedo, After Hours, Randazzo
Dress Shops: Julie's Bridal, David's Bridal, Cache, Special Occasions Dress Rental
Hair Salons: Santa Fe, Images

Raffle Providers: McDonald's, Einstein Bagels, Mobile Gas, Special Occasions, Randazzo

Imagine … Sandra Sagear did.

For more information on Sandra Sagear, the Sagear Memorial Wall, or Polio, go to: