Save the Bell Tower 
5K Run

By Jami R. Russ

The wind was high, the temperatures were low and the unexpected rain was falling but that didn’t stop former classmates, parents and current students and faculty from racing for a worthy cause on Saturday, the 9th.  Runners showed up to run in the cool, wet conditions in an effort to build what is being called the “Alumni Square” at the new Leetonia Schools K-12 Campus.  The square will consist of several items held dear to the hearts of Leetonia and Washingtonville alumni.  The center of the project is the old bell tower that still sits on the campus of the old high school on Walnut Street. 

The race started and ended at the new school campus.  The building of the new K-12 building left the old high school empty and destined for demolition but several alumni decided to try and save the bell tower, moving it to another location and surrounding it with other pieces of Leetonia and Washingtonville history.  The project has support from the Leetonia-Washingtonville Alumni Association and other friends.  Initial fundraising efforts included the race held Saturday, a 50/50 drawing which raised 500 dollars for the cause and the sale of special commemorative t-shirts that are still available.  Additional fundraisers will be held throughout the upcoming months in support of the project.

Saturday’s race measured a bit less than three miles but still challenged the competitors who took part.  Winning the race was Douglas Votaw, age 15, with a time of 17:03.  The top lady runner was Brittany Farmer with a time of  21:57.  Four Leetonia staff members took part in the race, Robert Hancock, Penny Pavelko, Pat McClun and Marcia Duko.  Perhaps the most special moment of the race was the finish of Reverend   Yoakum.  This was race number 1,975 for the 77-year-old Reverend, who finished with a time of  31:34.

Top 3 Male and Female Finishers

The 5K Committee is  planning a FUN RUN/WALK for the spring and may combine it with another activity.  Alumni Square T-Shirts are available.  A special thanks to Giant Eagle in Salem for supplying bananas and drink and to The Sporting Event of

Leetonia for the T-shirts.
Donations can be sent to:

Leetonia Alumni Association
Attn: "ALUMNI SQUARE PROJECT"
PO Box 71
Leetonia, OH 44431