What are your graduation years?
BHS 2001; Ohio University 2004; Kent State, MA in Literature and Writing, 2009. Now I'm in my first year as a Rhetoric and Composition PhD student in the Literacy, Rhetoric, and Social Practice program at Kent State. I take classes and teach freshman writing.
Let's start at the beginning. Who did you sit beside in the first grade?
Leslie Wise.
What was your favorite thing about about grade school?
Probably art class with Mrs. Reineke.
Ben Luginbuhl, always man-about-town in Bluffton, now of Portland, Ore., gets at the wheel of his parent's 1994 Dodge Caravan with 198,500 miles logged on it. There was a half tank of gas, peanuts on the floor mat and two cups of Common Grounds coffee to go in the cup holders.
He's in town for a few days and wants to get caught up on the slander and libel of the place. I want to cruise in the Caravan. It's an even trade.
He asks me if I've ever bagged it. I say, "No. What is it."
When did you move to Bluffton? Was that difficult for you or were you so young you don't remember much about that?
I moved to Bluffton around age 4 from Columbus and then Ada within a year. From what I remember it was exciting, especially the whole living on a farm thing.
When did you graduate from high school?
I graduated from high school in 2008.
Who was your favorite teacher? Why? Favorite course in high school? What activities were you involved in during middle and high school?
As you watch the Rose Bowl Parade on television on new year's day, you'll see two talented blind marching units with a Bluffton connection.
The Bluffton Lions Club is a supporter of the Lions White Cane Blind Precision Drill team and the Ohio State School for the Blind (OSSB) Marching Band, which is grouped with the Lions Clubs International float.
Marching in front of the Lions Clubs International float entry "Decades of Service" is the Lions White Cane Blind Precision Drill team from Tustin, Calif. The Lions' entry is eighth in the Rose Parade order of march.
Okay, let's see, you graduated from BHS in what, 95? 96?
I graduated from Bluffton High School in 1995 and Bluffton College in December 1999.
Share some interesting stories about growing up in Bluffton. Favorite teachers, classes, friends, funny things that happened along the way and stay in your memory.
Bluffton High School senior, Joel Groman, is the December BHS student of the month. He has served as a class officer as a freshman, sophomore and junior. He is a member of the Math Club, math team, Students Against Dangerous Decisions (SADD), concert band, marching band, pep band, Latin Club, Drama Club, Campus Life, St. John youth group, Renaissance Committee, Student Senate, National Honor Society, and is an Eagle Boy Scout.
