Wheeling Nailers make virtual visits at Buckeye South Elementary

TILTONSVILLE -- Students at Buckeye South Elementary had a special treat on Feb. 3 as they hosted the Wheeling Nailers in a virtual visit to their classroom.

Nailers broadcaster D.J. Abisalih, forward Luke Lynch and defenseman Aaron Trow spoke to three students in special education teacher Alyssa Lollini's class online since the school goes remote each Wednesday. Lollini instructs six students in grades K-4 but held the event for her older students as a fun way to interact with community members while also following COVID safety protocols.

She explained how schools were shuttered last spring due to the pandemic and plans to re-open Buckeye South were impacted by flooding, leading officials to move to the former St. Joseph's Catholic School site in Tiltonsville to continue their education while repairs were made to the elementary building. COVID-19 also promoted the site to go to fully remote learning until Jan. 19 and now South offers hybrid education with students in school and at home.

"These kids have been through a lot over the last couple of months but they've never complained," she added. "This is a reward for them to have you here and ask questions."

Abisalih said it was the team's first virtual community appearance of the year and explained it was his 10th year with the organization. He described his job and introduced Lynch and Trow, who then took a series of questions from the students. Queries ranged from how many games they have played to their biggest rivals, while the players discussed how they came to play hockey.

"I've played since I was 7," said Lynch. "I played every sport but liked hockey the best. I'm from Pittsburgh and this is my first year professionally, and it's exciting being in Wheeling."

He encouraged the students to play as many as they wanted until they found one they truly enjoyed. He said he holds a science degree and noted school will take the pupils anywhere they want to go.

Trow suggested the students use their strengths and help each other like teammates.

"Work together with the things you are good at," he said.

Abisalih's advice was to learn at school and seek something the students would enjoy as a career.

"Ultimately school is going to be setting you up later in life," he commented. "Find something you will have fun with. For Luke and Aaron, it's hockey; for me, it's broadcasting."

Meanwhile, Lollini plans to continue hosting activities throughout the year and is looking for more community members to get involved.

"This will be a really great opportunity for my students to meet different people, explore their careers, as well as work on the social skill aspect of these visits by asking different questions that may be relevant to the individual we are meeting with," she said.

Lollini began reaching out to people she personally knew to create the virtual visits and has more events lined up with the Cumberland Trail Volunteer Fire Department and a local auto repair business.

"I'm very excited that we are able to set up visits with hockey players, a mechanic and a firefighter/paramedic. I am hopeful that I will be able to add more people to this list, however I am waiting for confirmation on who else within our community I will be able to have 'visit' my students."

She said the idea was formed last spring when she and friend Megan Lowry initially scheduled a First Responders Day at the school, but the coronavirus pandemic stalled plans and safety precautions prevented in-person visits and she decided to conduct the virtual visits instead.

"I didn't want my students to look back on this school year and think of all the negative aspects. I wanted them to have something positive to remember about this year," she added. "I kept thinking about the fun activities I could set up for my students. I had already set up a visit with the Wheeling Nailers and thought I could put it out there to see if anyone else was interested. I wanted the focus to be on different community helpers as a way to allow my students to see what people within our community do. You never know, maybe one of my students will meet someone and decide that is what they would like to do one day."

To that end, she is seeking others within the community to take part in further virtual visits and her goal is to host at least two events per month for the rest of the school year.

"I would love to also continue this into the next school year as well, whether that be virtual visits or in-person visits, contingent upon the COVID-19 pandemic. My friend Megan and I would still love the opportunity to set up a First Responders Day. Even though we work in different school districts now, it would really be a fun and rewarding project," she said. "This project is becoming near and dear to my heart. It is opening a door for my students to explore different local community helpers, as well as work on their social skills by asking questions that pertain to the individual visiting us. This school year has been anything but normal, but being able to provide my students with positive experiences that they will hopefully remember for years to come will make this crazy year very much worth it."

Anyone interested in participating in future virtual visits may contact Lollini at alyssa.lollini@buckeyelocal.net.