Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 129, Number 13, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 30 March 2006 — Page 6

Page A6

Advance News • Thursday, March 30, 2006

I I sj ;t? JP...*jPP9\ . .. Jr ~t— ■ iVr ’ ' ® ji'lf B : "

ADVANCE NEWS PHOTO/A.W. GADSON North Wood seniors Nate Davidhizar and Gariy Hartman attempt to get a big donation while manning the phones during the North Wood Dollars for Scholars Phone-A-Thon on Monday night.

PHONE-A-THON, Continued from Front

"We have a better chance at getting scholarships if we help/' Davidhizar said. "It's fun to see the money come in, and think it could be yours." Bonacorsi is well-aware of that motivation. "The idea is the money they raise, goes to

Bremen Chevrolet has merged with Kelley Buick to form the MEW jilM-iili Celebration pricing all pre-owned under Kelly Blue Book! Trucks/Vans 05 Trailblazer EX. Loaded $20,952 ‘OS Trailblazer LS, Loaded $20,507 05 Jeep Liberty SP. Loaded $17,495 ‘OS Ford Freestar Red $16,783 05 Silverado X-Cab, 4x4, Z-71 $22,738 05 Silverado Crew Cab 4x4 $23,458 04 F-150 Crew Cab 4x4 $24,575 ‘O3 Ford Ranger X-Cab $12,559 ‘O3 Trailblazer LS, Loaded, $13,050 ‘O2 Ford Ranger X-Cab, 4x4, XLT $13,825 W A > ‘O2 Ford Explorer XLT, 4x4 $12,961 ‘O2 Chevy Suburban LT, Leather $16,730 02 Honda Passport EX, Loaded $15,447^ ‘Ol GMC Sonoma SLE, 4x4 sl2, 795 BBBjMHßlßfl^^^, ‘Ol Windstar XLT, Loaded $9,995 ‘Ol Windstar SEL, Loaded $13,486 ‘OO F-150 Pickup $12,433 ■BMBHMSAjfIfek. ‘99 Ford Expedition XLT $10,703 ‘9B 3/4 Ton Ram Conv. Van $7,785 Cars ‘O6 TaurusSE, Loaded $13,995 ‘OS PT CruiserLmf., Loaded $14,990 05 Toyota Camry LE, Loaded $16,995 ‘OS 300 C Hemi, Nav $29,210 ‘OS Toyota Corolla Gray $14,750 ‘OS Buick Lesabre Leather. , $16,995 ‘O4 Impala LS. Leather . ‘O4 Cavalier 30+ mpg $7,861 W 03 Neon $7,875 03 Venture XT. Loaded $11,532 02 Cavalier LS. Loaded $7,345 02 olds Alero Loaded $9,850 ‘O2 Grand AM GT Loaded $11,134 02 Lincoln LS, Loaded $18,941 ‘Ol Monte Carlo SS Loaded $11,667 New ‘os’s at Invoice Minus S3OO La a New ‘o6’s at Invoice (Stock Units) ."i t r»| ~* v w JTTn 111 tT % Wb • &MMBBB

seniors," he said. If anyone would like information on how to donate to North Wood's Dollars for Scholars may contact Bonacorsi at the school, 773-4127.

Community

BONACORSI, Continued from Front

North Wood to five consecutive sectional titles, with one regional crown en route to being named to the Indiana Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1998, with an induction into the Elkhart County Coaches Hall of Fame coming in 2004. "At the time I took over, we had no middle school or elementary program," Bonacorsi said. "We just kind of built it up." As with everything else, the retiring principal is quick to spread the credit. "We had a lot of success because I was blessed with good athletes, with a tremendous work ethic," he said. "You always need to surround yourself with good people." In surrounding himself with good people, Bonacorsi was given the chance to succeed beyond the wrestling mat. "That gave me the confidence, that if you set you mind on something in life, you can accomplish more than you'H give yourself credit for," he said. He then applied that mindset into his position as principal, a position that he wanted to bring something to that hadn't been there during his tenure as an instructor. "In the 15 years that I taught, I had five different principals," he said. "I've been here for 20 years. I wanted to bring stability and continuity. I was given the opportunity, and the rest is what they call 'history.'" During his 20 years as principal, he has helped to establish such things as the Parent Advisory Board, the Internship Program, the Alternative School and Parent-Teacher Conferences just to name a few. "This is just like everybody else's job," he said. "Everyone's responsibility continues to grow." Among the activities which

tF&T /i'J&W.i • j3PPPL,r P> '■ . . -Vir' *“ a ,><■■■■■ • ' f • - . • jßefinancing|| I ißemodeling? *

Stop by any Key Center, call 1-888-539-1234, or visit Key.com Keyßank q Achieve anything. *Subject to cndH approval. Ratos tor the variate portion are based on the Wall Street Journal Prime (Prime) and are ae tow at Prime - 51% (6.99% APR as 013/15/2006). Maximum loan to value for otter is 85%. Actual rates ve determined by product md credN qualifications Promotional rate and Drat year annual fee waiver up to $99 a vallate wftfi any new or existing Keyßank checking with ACH. Lifetime annual fee waiver is avatate with a new or existing Keyßank Package ReMtoiiehip- Rates may vary but never exceed 18.00% APR Property and hazard insurance are required on property securing the tew. Existing accotiX retinams eSgtote with $25,000 botanca Increase Certain cofiaterai restrictions apply. Al teas w* be waived on few amounts up to $500.000 Forties above $600,000. title inaurance may be required foist ranges tram $12.50 to $2559) New tork deals ovar $250 000 pay mortage tax. Al Florida ttoaii pay mortgage tax. f your few tarmtotees tor any raaaon within 36 months, a $350 ($450 in Mew Vx) early tenntnaaon tee wtl apply. A S6O setup tee apples tor each fixed rati option ewrelasd. Otter vteto through 13J 5/31/2006. Key.com k a federaßynoktored service mark of Key Corp. 02006 Key Corp. Mimfirr fTm* IMB

Story Idea? News Tip? Contact the Advance News • 773-3127

When you’re ready to re-think your home, think of Keyßank. Whether it’s home mortgage or home equity, Keyßank has the right solution for you.

6.993£ (PRIME -.51 %) for the life of the line.

he began was the Christmas Party given to students prior to Christmas Break. "I remember Rick Coffin and me standing by the door as students walked out for Christmas Break," he said. "I told one student, "Have a Merry Christmas,' but he turned to me and said, 'Yeah, right.'" He then recalls asking the student what was wrong, when the student replied, 'Do you know what you've just done to us?' referring to final exams. After hearing that, Bonacorsi decided to establish the Christmas Party, which allows students to hang out in the gymnasium one hour prior to Christmas Break. In the gym, students stand in front of props for Christmas photos with friends, with Bonacorsi taking photos. And it's not only at that party that Bonacorsi can be seen behind the lens. At almost any North Wood event, the principal can be seen with his camera taking photos of students. He then distributes the photos to the students free-of-charge. "I wanted to make sure we got really good coverage," Bonacorsi said about his early days of taking photos of his wrestling team. "I would have a kid take photos, then I would do I write-up and submit to the newspapers." Once he stopped coaching, Bonacorsi began taking the color photos for students. "I began to shoot at a lot of sports, and the moms really appreciated it," he said. "I try to go to every game, play, academic event and shoot photos, and give them away." It's that kind of interaction that has made Bonacorsi a principal who can relate with the students, but can also discipline them. "I've tried to be firm and fair, but friendly," he said. "You can

have rules, but you have to be consistent. You let the kids know you're doing it because you care." In 37 years of working with kids, he's learned a thing or two. "They want to know where you have drawn the line in the sand," he said about students. "What you discover is, you can be nice about it. I tell the kids, 'l'm not mad at you, I'm mad at what you've done.'" He says that over the past couple of years, he's been thinking of retirement, but never really knew when it would come. "I had no idea it would be this year," he said. "It's just been an outstanding year." He is proud of what the athletic teams accomplished this year, with the football team winning state, the volleyball claiming a sectional title, the girls basketball team winning sectionals and the boys basketball team winning 17 games. On top of that, he's just as proud of the North Wood Academic Team winning its 13th conference title, the FFA placing third in the country in tractor restoration and the yearbook "The Logue" also doing so well in competitions. "With the teachers and support staff we have here, I'm not sure there's any better around," he said. Now with his days behind the principal's desk numbered, he's not quite ready to retire from work completely. "I want to retire from this position, but I'd like to find a job in manufacturing or sales," he said. "There's a bit of wonder to life," he added. "I'll probably look around, wait and see. I'll play a little golf, but I'll do something else before I truly retire."

KBY IQUITY OPTIONS LINK OP CRIDIT Tap your home’s equity to establish a line of credit. That way, you’ll have the flexibility to meet financial needs as they arise.