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Hernando Today

'Real-World' Writing For A Good Cause

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By KYLE MARTIN

Hernando Today

Published: October 9, 2008

SPRING HILL - It's 8:30 a.m. in Steve Haberlin's class and the students are learning about life and death.

The lesson focuses on a head-on collision Sept. 10 that killed a mother the day before her 25th birthday and critically injured her 4-year-old daughter.

The students are far removed from the tragedy: They've never met the victims and the crash happened in Tampa, 40 miles south of their Fox Chapel Middle School classroom.

But they want to help.

They've already written get-well cards for the girl, Summer Moll, who is recovering from broken bones in all four limbs. On Monday, they will begin collecting donations to help cover medical costs. But to ensure maximum success, they need to advertise.

Wednesday's assignment was to write letters to the editors of local newspapers, asking for the community's support. In their eagerness to pen the winning entry, the students overlook the fact that they're honing their language skills, said Haberlin, 36.

Haberlin points out that he is still teaching the state requirements, but this project is a practical exercise that demonstrates the power of writing to the students.

He calls it "real world writing."

And there are other lessons that will stick beyond the next exam.

One of the students asked "what will we get out of this?" in Haberlin's first-period class.

"Nothing," was his reply. At least, nothing material.

But he posed the question to his next class, and it was obvious they are starting to get the big picture.

We can a save a life, someone suggested. True. The money cannot bring back the mother, Jennifer O'Boyle, but it will pay the medical bills and help the girl survive.

That should provide you with some satisfaction, Haberlin continued. You can see your rewards in the gratitude of the victims. Just sending cards will prove that someone cares and "even a 4-year-old will understand that."

Michael Georgiou, 12, is learning that life is fleeting.

"Sometimes accidents happen in (the) most unusual way," he said.

Authorities say the other driver had been drinking when she drove the wrong way on the lower ramp of the Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway and crashed into O'Boyle's vehicle. Cheryl Marie Riemann is charged with vehicular homicide and DUI manslaughter in connection with the crash.

Asked what she's learned about drunken driving, Kaylee Arvay, 12, said "it's bad and can hurt other people."

This project is only the beginning, says Haberlin.

His next project will focus on the Humane Society and ways to help that organization. Just think how much could be accomplished if this project spread throughout the county's schools, he said.

How You Can Help:

Fund raising, including a bake sale, will begin at Fox Chapel Middle School on Monday, Oct. 13. Donations can also be made to Tammy Rosian, as trustee of the Summer Moll Trust and sent to attorney Mac Greco III at 501 N. Morgan St., Tampa, 33602.

Reporter Kyle Martin can be reached at 352-544-5271 or kmartin@hernandotoday.com.

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