After four decades, Journalism finally pays off

By Rory Ryan 
The Highland County Press

After 46 years consecutive years in the printing business – most of it in something some folks call journalism – Journalism finally paid off.

While Sovereignty – with Junior Alvarado aboard – is now in the horse racing record books for winning the 151st Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 3, it was, in fact, Journalism that paid off for this old scribe.

Granted, Journalism was the favorite, and a more gutsy wager would have been on the 3-year-old to win. But I had a plan. (I always have a "plan" at the track or with my favorite wager-placer. Thanks, SF.) 

My plan is similar to that great horse picker of old, one W.C. Fields, who often proclaimed, "I hope I break even, I need the money."

Or was it Groucho Marx?

Never mind.

My plan, as it were, on this first Saturday in May was a trifecta wager of sorts. Only I did not play the trifecta, but three separate wagers: Sandman to win (never trust a gray past six furlongs); Journalism to place; and Publisher to show. 

My late grandmother's maiden name was Sandmann and my better half thought Sandman might be a worthwhile wager. It wasn't. Publisher was all on me; not because I've been one for 30 years, but I thought the horse had good closing speed. He may be worth a look in the June Belmont, probably not in the May 17 Preakness. But good old Journalism held up for second place in the Derby, with Baeza closing fast.

The race was completed in just more than 2 minutes on a wet track. The real story of the day was jockey Junior Alvarado, who was injured and hospitalized after a race in March in which his horse dropped dead of a heart attack and he was seriously injured.

"I can't even describe it," Alvarado said in a post-race interview. "I'm pretty sure (my family is) way over the moon right now." 

For one rainy Saturday in May 2025, though, Journalism paid off – and someone broke even.

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Congrats, HHS Lady Indians

As HCP sports editor Stephen Forsha reported, for their past 50 Frontier Athletic Conference games, the Hillsboro Lady Indians have a record of 50-0, including a recent game that sealed the fifth straight undefeated FAC championship. 

Head coach Gary Breeden has been the leader of the HHS softball program for the past four seasons and was an assistant coach for HHS when the championship streak began as Katie Moberly was at the helm. Breeden has seen all 50 of the Lady Indians’ conference wins, and spoke about not only the current team, but also paid respect to past members of the teams that won championships.

“This is just as special as it was the first time,” Breeden said. “Anytime you can go undefeated in the conference, it’s just special. Most of these seniors have been a part of this four times now, some of them only three times, but they’ve been here through it all, and it’s just very special."

For Stephen's story, go to https://highlandcountypress.com/sports-hillsboro-greenfield/50-0-hillsb…

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More kudos

The local younger generation just continues to amaze with their accomplishments. Hillsboro senior Carter Boyd has been named the Ohio FFA State President, after spending his senior year of high school as State Vice President. During the final session of the Ohio FFA State Convention Friday night, 2024-25 State President Anna Moeller announced Boyd will serve as State President for 2025-26.

Congratulations, Carter. (See more at: https://highlandcountypress.com/news/hillsboro-senior-carter-boyd-slate…)

* * *

Another top local student

The Ohio Educational Service Center Association recognized Ohio’s top students from across the state during the 36th Annual Franklin B. Walter All-Scholastic Awards Program, held at the Renaissance Columbus Westerville-Polaris Hotel.

The awards program, named in honor of Ohio’s 31st State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Franklin B. Walter, was established in 1989 by OESCA to promote and recognize outstanding student leaders for their academic achievement and service to their schools and communities. One senior from each county in Ohio was eligible to receive this annual honor.

Caden Faust is the Highland County recipient. He will graduate from Lynchburg-Clay High School and plans to attend the University of Rio Grande and major in business administration.

Congrats, Caden. (See more at https://highlandcountypress.com/education/oesca-honors-lchss-caden-faus…)

* * *

GES standout

And then there is this second-grader for Greenfield Elementary School, one Harper Taylor, whose art piece, "Out of This World," will be a part of the STEAM Wars: Where Art & Space Collide exhibit at COSI beginning May 10. 

As Angela Shepherd reported, this is the second time Columbus’s COSI will display the original artwork of a Greenfield Elementary student in an exhibit. Third-grader Hazel Vesey's work (for the Jurassic Art Exhibit) hung there from November of 2024 until March of this year, and now Taylor will represent the school from May until September, art teacher William Roller said. Roller also had a piece displayed in the Jurassic show.

“It's an incredible feat to have our GES Tigers to continue to find success against so much wonderful competition and skilled judges,” Roller said. “It really shows our art program is strong, and I will work to keep it strong and growing.”

(See Angela's story at https://highlandcountypress.com/education/greenfield-elementary-be-repr…)

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Thanks, Rep. Justin Pizzulli

Lastly, a note of thanks is in order for Stare Rep. Justin Pizzulli (House District 90).

Last week, my wife, Pam, received a nice card in the mail from Rep. Pizzulli thanking her for her service during Nurses Appreciation Week.

In almost four decades as a registered nurse, mostly at Highland District Hospital, this was the first time a state lawmaker extended a nice note of gratitude for her service. And no, I had nothing to do with it. I've met Justin once or twice and have voted for him, but this was a nice surprise – and it made the kitchen refrigerator bulletin board. Ever have one of those?

Thanks, Justin.

And, as always, thanks to our HCP readers and advertisers.

Rory Ryan is publisher and owner of The Highland County Press, Highland County's only locally owned and operated newspaper.