By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
Wayne Laylin and nurse Ann Turner received LINKS awards from Union High School teachers after school Tuesday.
The periodic award established in 2002 and given by the DUHS staff stands for Local Individuals Nursing Kids and Schools.
"We try to show our appreciation by honoring those who have given extra to the school and helped us out a little. A lot of times it's a lot," Principal Paul Hartsig said.
Previous winners include Dowagiac Board of Education member Bill Lawrence, Michigan State Police Trooper Rob Herbstreith from the Niles post, Saylor's Front Street Pizzeria, attorney Dennis Tushla, Bonnie Katlun of Mind Over Matters, Randy Melvin of D&R SPorts, Cass County Undersheriff Rick Behnke, Daily News Managing Editor John Eby, Signal Travel and Patrick and Patricia Murphy of Murphy's Flowers.
Denny's wife, Pat Tushla, received one of the first LINKS awards on May 21, 2002, as a media center volunteer, along with Kathy McDonald, former Movies Movies owner.
Greg Blomgren, basketball coach for five years, including last season for both boys and girls hoops, nominated Laylin.
Teacher Linda O'Keefe nominated Turner, a cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first-aid instructor and diabetes educator at Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital.
"I saw this couple (Wayne and his wife, Pat) sitting in the gym with their camera and I always wondered what their connection to our program was," Blomgren said. "They had grandkids at the time playing in our program. Since, they have graduated and moved on, but they continue to support us" even when it meant "adapting their technical abilities" in the transition from VHS tape to digital video discs (DVDs).
Laylins delivered game video to the harried coach early the next morning after games.
"It came in handy this year, as it has throughout my five years here," Blomgren said. "There were times this year, when I was coaching both sports, that I did not have time to scout or prepare for a game by other means. I know Pat was behind the scenes, translating the DVDs over, but they would bring me a handful in a sack by 7 or 7:30 the next morning, ready for me to use."
"And it's not only us as coaches," Blomgren said, "but they bring them for the players, too. After watching this award presented the last few years, I always felt like we were taking from the Laylins, but we never had an opportunity to give back. We see them not only at basketball, but at football, baseball softball, volleyball, wrestling, soccer and band," not to mention graduations and "a few weddings and even a couple of funerals."
"Basketball's from 4 to 9 or 10," Blomgren said, "so he's there five to six hours a night. We really appreciate it."
"You need some softer bleachers," Pat quipped.
"I can take credit for shooting the video," Wayne said, "but I have to give Pat credit for making the labels and pictures on the front. I download a master copy from my camera, which has a 20-gigabyte hard drive, give it to her and she starts copying them on the computer."
It's something they do together because "I can't operate the camera and he can't operate the computer," Pat said.
"I don't even know how to turn hers on," Wayne agreed. "I just stay away from" the computer. "I have to give a lot of credit to my wife for backing me up on this."
O'Keefe said Turner "keeps myself, Eva Hecht and Doug Michels certified and updated on all the newest techniques in CPR and first aid and informs us even early about various methods changing. For example, the CPR ratio of 15 compressions to two breaths, she let us know two months before it actually changed to 30 compressions to two breaths. That allowed us to inform our students thoroughly. It was used by a student here (Jessica Worthington, then a Union High junior, July 3, 2006, to the life of a Kansas girl struck by lightning at Silver Beach on Lake Michigan), so we are very grateful to Ann. Not only does Ann keep us updated, she also keeps all of the paperwork for the state."
Hecht, the school nurse, added, "She's another medical support person for me to help the kids work through things and do better in school. She's someone I can bounce things off of."
"Wow! This is really awesome," Turner said, cradling her engraved plaque. "This is totally unexpected. I appreciate all of you for letting me help you help others."