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Volume 54, No. 21
stanDarD Postage & Fees PaiD WiLLoughby, oh Permit 42
CHESTERLAND NEWS Wednesday, March 1, 2023
Your Community Newspaper Since 1967
Chester 12-Year-Old Stars in Fine Arts ‘Jungle Book’ Production By Cassandra Shofar cassandra@karlovecmedia.com Despite a nearby building fire in Willoughby causing performances to be rescheduled last week, Blake Jeffrey-White, of Chester Township, was excited to finish strong as the lead in Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book” at the Fine Arts Association last weekend. Blake, a seventh-grader at St. Francis of Assisi in Gates Mills, played Mowgli in a dramatic version of the show written by Joseph Robinette, which held its final run Feb. 23-26. “This is my second time working with Blake,” said production Director Sandy Peck. “I directed him as Eddie in ’13,’ the musical at Fine Arts Association this past fall, and now as Mowgli in ‘The Jungle Book.’ He’s shown an incredible amount of growth in his skill level as an actor in just a short time.”
WG Kiwanis Pancake Breakfasts Begin March 5 W.G. Kiwanis Club will be celebrating its 70th annual pancake breakfast fundraiser at West Geauga High School every Sunday in March from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The all-youcan-eat breakfast includes four flavors of pancakes, French toast, sausage patties and beverages. Cost is $10 for adults and $6 for children 6-11. Children under 6 are free. Early bird special is from 8-9 a.m. Curbside pickup is available. The club welcomes groups and individuals that would like to volunteer for the community event. For more information, visit the Kiwanis website wgkiwanis.org or call Jeff Kershaw, pancake breakfast chairperson, at 440-812-3564.
Blake said in this production, he was challenged to make a connection with two other actors who played his mothers. “It was difficult for me to feel a mother-son connection with other actors that are basically my age and my friends,” he said, adding he had to work really hard and focus on ensuring the audience felt that connection. “I also felt a tremendous reward from (performing in) this production was the wonderful applause and attendance in the audience, appreciative fans and all the support that I received from my friends, family and teachers attending the show,” he said, adding it made him feel like he mattered and gave him great pride and joy. Blake understood and connected with his character and the problems he was facing in the storyline. “I felt like the story is a wonderful story that shows the triumphs See Jungle Book • Page 3
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During their final dress rehearsal, Blake Jeffrey-White, of Chester Township, practices his role as Mowgli in “The Jungle Book” alongside Logan Kessler, of Chardon, who plays Massua.
Wolverines and Marlington Duke it out in District Semifinals By Alan Kornspan sports@karlovecmedia.com The West Geauga Wolverines took on the Marlington Dukes in the district semifinals on February 22. In an extremely physical match up, the Dukes needed overtime to narrowly defeat the Wolverines 4947. The Dukes took an early lead going up 11-9 at the end of one. The Wolverines were led in the first quarter by Alexa Hocevar who scored 4 points. In the second quarter, the Wolverines outscored the Dukes 9-7 to tie the game at 18 going into halftime. In the third quarter the Dukes jumped out to a five point lead as they led 35-30 at the end of three. But the Wolverines did not quit. They came roaring back be-
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hind Hocevar's eight points as they outscored the Dukes 15-10 in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 45 and force overtime. The Dukes outscored the Wolverines 4-2 in overtime to gain the 49-47 victory. Alexa Hocevar, who now moves on to play NCAA Division I basketball at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) this Fall, led all scorers with 25 points in the final game of her high school career. Hocevar hit 4 three pointers
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and was 5 of 6 at the line. For the game the Wolverines were 5-11 on three point attempts for 45% and they were 8-14 from the line. "Alexa, you can't really say enough about her," said Head Coach Brandon Stewart. "She's a special player, a special talent, we are lucky to have her as part of this program and her sister before her. They left a heck of a legacy in this program." After the game coach Stewart See Basketball • Page 2
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