by Sheila Baltzell-Linn 6-7-2024


Parkway’s Athletic Booster Club is teaming up with Past Lady Panther Athletes to celebrate the past 50 years of Girls Sports. Save the date now for Sunday, September 29, 2024. 


Headed by vice president, Betsy Schoenleben, the Parkway Booster Club is sponsoring the Parkway Fall Homecoming kick-off: a BBQ chicken dinner starting at noon by volleyball team; the traditional Homecoming parade by the Booster Club; and a powderpuff football game by the school. The BBQ dinner will be prepared by the Rockford Carry-Out. Presale tickets will be offered in August, and the athletes will be selling them to the public. There are presale tickets only. Enjoy a ¼ chicken, applesauce, chips, cookie, and drink. Parkway girls Volleyball head coach Jordan Henkle, who is in charge of the meal, commented that the Parkway Volleyball Program will benefit from the proceeds of this dinner which will be used “for a multitude of things . . . equipment, training pieces, banquet, jerseys, shirts, warm-ups, bookbags, etc.”  The dinner will be served right before the afternoon program which is being planned and presented by the past female athletes sponsoring Parkway and Mendon-Union Celebrating 50 Years of Girls Sports. Plan now to eat dinner at the school and then listen to the Round Table discussion about Title IX’s impact on girls sports followed by the keynote speaker. Carry out dinners will also be available.

Following the afternoon program, Betsy Schoenleben explained that the traditional Homecoming Parade now takes place on the Sunday beginning Parkway’s Homecoming Week. All Fall sports athletes participate as well as the Homecoming candidates.

The parade route begins at the football field and goes up Franklin Street down Market Street, back up Jay Street to the school. After the parade, Powder Puff Football between Parkway’s girls: Freshman Girls versus Senior Girls; followed by the Sophomore Girls versus the Junior Girls; is planned. A playoff of the winning teams will end the evening, which is organized by Parkway High School – Lucas Minnich in charge. Betsy Schoenleben, commented that the day will be exciting for all ages of girls and women who are or were athletes at Parkway as well as incorporating the excitement of Fall Homecoming for everyone.

For now, the organizers ask that you SAVE THE DATE for Sunday, September 29, 2024, On Facebook, go to the page called (and click follow): Parkway and Mendon-Union Girls Sports, Celebrating 50 Years as well as a public group event page for all details. 

Former athletes from Parkway High School and Mendon Union Girls 50th Anniversary are asked to go to the Information Sheet page link https://zfrmz.com/tpabrnPAiwDjd7gGWygk, to add your athletic and contact info if you were or are an athlete, coach, statistician, manager and/or trainer 1974-2024

The event contact is Karla Sidenbender Butler at karla_butler@outlook.com. Penny Leighner Fish can also be reached via call or text at 734-645-6145. On the Booster Club end, contact Betsy Schoenleben at 419-733-3758. Chicken dinner questions can be directed to Jordan Henkle at jordanhenkle@gmail.com

The community is encouraged to join in these activities.

More details will be forthcoming so watch the print and online newspapers and follow us on Facebook!
The community is welcomed and encouraged to attend all events.

Historic details—-

President Richard Nixon signed the landmark Title IX Civil Rights Law into existence on June 23, 1972. It was part of the Federal Education Amendment, and among other treasures, ushered in the era of schools’ requirements for the first inter-scholastic teams for GIRLS. Mendon was and Parkway still is in the Midwest Athletic Conference, arguably the toughest league in the State of Ohio. 

Related:

1997 Parkway Softball..The Year Of Firsts

Mendon-Union A Part Of OHSAA Softball History

A look back in time…Girls HS Basketball At Mendon In The 1930’s

The Tradition Continues…Parkway Softball Headed To Akron And Final Four To Face Hopewell-Loudon

Parkway’s Hughes Enters The Record Books With 31 Rebounds

Softball: Parkway’s Hawk MAC Player of the Year, Esselstein Coach of the Year

Esselstein Was A Leader On The Basketball Court