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CONNORVILLE -- Mysterious creatures living among us? Bigfoot. Mothman. The Loveland Frogman. People throughout the world -- even communities within the Tri-State Area, have shown interest in these figures. And Buckeye Local Junior High School is spotlighting these stories during literacy night festivities this month.
"Folklore and Cryptids" will be featured from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. March 25. The event is free to the public. Principal Jason Kovalski said the event will offer something uniquely different. Literacy night will cap off a month-long, March Madness-type observance with activities for students.
"We're doing something different this year because some teachers and I have an interest in cryptids such as Sasquatch, Mothman and the Loveland Frogman," Kovalski explained. "The students are going to be doing projects and researching six cryptids, plus there will be a guest speaker, displays and games for grades 7 and 8." Kovalski has been a longtime enthusiast, traveling throughout Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania to research Bigfoot. He is also a Bigfoot Field Research Organization investigator.
"I have been doing research on Sasquatch for over 20 years," he commented. "One of the teachers asked me to do a presentation for a class and the kids really liked it, so there is interest. We'd also like to get people from the community to attend. We hope to draw interest in the students and the public." Kovalski is working with other educators at the school. He noted additional topics will include the Loch Ness Monster, Minerva Monster, Dover Demon, Chupacabra, Grafton Monster and Hopkinsville Goblins.
Science teacher Julie Kuchan has attended several myriad area festivals, including events for the Loveland Frogman and the Mothman of Point Pleasant, W.Va. "The Loveland Frogman was first spotted in the 1970s by cops in Loveland, Ohio -- near Cincinnati, who said it was a two-legged creature," she said. "There was a second sighting in 2016 by kids playing Pokemon Go!" She said she came up with the idea for the literacy night event, where others will share in the activities, including teachers from the English literature arts. They will be providing activities for students, such as drawing the Loch Ness Monster and conducting presentations. The program aligns with state language arts standards, Kuchan concluded. The school began highlighting March Madness with Cryptids on Friday and will continue the activities throughout the month to culminate with the literacy night event.