Advertise on podcast: Petey Podcast

Send us Fan Mail The Elyria High School Pioneer Marching Band season is officially underway—and that means band camp, daily practice, hard work and plenty of “schmoves”!  From mastering unique steps and traditional moves to sharpening precision, our band members put in the work to take their skills to the next level. In this episode, we’re talking with our band directors, Aaron Putka and Adam Behrendt, about what it takes to kick off a successful season. You’re going to love this conversation! It's a great day to be a Pioneer! Thanks for listening. Find Elyria Schools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!

Send us Fan Mail This summer, the Lorain County Children's Pioneer Theater (LCCPT) program is celebrating an incredible milestone—50 years! And what better way to celebrate than by heading to a pineapple under the sea with SpongeBob the Musical? Joining us today are two guests with deep connections to the program: Maddie Riley, a preschool teacher with Elyria's Early Childhood Village and the creative leader of the production, and community member and LCCPT board member, Gina Massey, whose theater journey began in the program's very first show 50 years ago, when she played the Lion in The Wizard of Oz. We'll talk about the program's history, why it continues to thrive and how so many students from our district and surrounding districts have learned theater skills, teamwork and creativity through this unique summer educational theater experience. Welcome to Petey Podcast, Maddie and Gina! It's a great day to be a Pioneer! Thanks for listening. Find Elyria Schools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with two inspiring educators, Sharron Goodsite and Andrew Menner, members of the Elyria Special Olympics committee to talk about one of Elyria's most anticipated spring traditions—their 10th Annual Spring & Vendor Craft Fair! Held at Elyria High School, this all-day event brings together nearly 70 talented crafters and vendors, offering everything from handmade candies to high-quality, one-of-a-kind goods and favorite local favorites—all in one convenient place. It’s the perfect opportunity to browse, shop and eat in a lively, welcoming atmosphere. But it’s so much more than just a craft fair! Families can look forward to Easter egg hunts for the little ones, a chance to meet the Easter Bunny, live entertainment, plus delicious food and a coffee cart. And yes—the famous pink cookie will be there too! Best of all, this event supports a great cause! Admission is free, though donations are greatly appreciated, with all proceeds benefiting the Special Olympics. Join the fun on Sunday, March 28! It's a great day to be a Pioneer! Thanks for listening. Find Elyria Schools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!

Send us Fan Mail Broadcasting live from the famed Elyria Apple Festival in the heart of Downtown Elyria, your Petey Podcast hosts, Marty and Amy, are here to share all the signature events and mouthwatering food that makes this festival truly special. We also had the pleasure of chatting with some talented students from Elyria High School, as well as the Elyria Schools' Pink Cookie expert, Rita Higgins—who is known for making the famous Pink Cookies that the district is renowned for. Over this festival weekend alone, she and the foodservice team baked more than 10,600 cookies—can you believe it? By the end of the three-day event, not a crumb was left! Tune in to catch all the excitement! It's a great day to be a Pioneer! Thanks for listening. Find Elyria Schools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Petey Podcast, we sit down with educational leader, Dr. Courtney Griffiths. Courtney began her journey in Elyria as an assistant principal at Elyria High School, the district's largest school, where she quickly established herself as a collaborative and visionary leader. Her commitment to academic excellence and vast experience that included previous leadership at Joint Vocational (Career Center) High School led her to the role of associate principal, where she spearheaded the school's academic initiatives and served as the master planner of student curriculum. Now serving as the Associate Superintendent of Academics for the entire district, she leads a dynamic team focused on boosting student achievement and driving instructional innovation districtwide. Tune in as we chat with Courtney about lessons learned and her vision for academics across all schools in Elyria. It's a great day to be a Pioneer! Thanks for listening. Find Elyria Schools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!

Send us Fan Mail  On this episode of Petey Podcast, we’re thrilled to introduce one of the newest members of our leadership team — Kate Petiya, Assistant Principal at Elyria's Early Childhood Village! With many years of experience teaching preschool right here in the very building she now helps lead, she brings a deep understanding of early childhood education, special education and our community. Her dedication, insight and connection to the families and staff make her an outstanding addition to our team. Join us as we get to know Kate better, and hear her vision for supporting students, staff and families in her new role.  It's a great day to be a Pioneer! Thanks for listening. Find Elyria Schools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to another episode of Grad Chat Chronicles on Petey Podcast, where we spotlight the stories, successes, and community impact of our incredible graduates — and the organizations shaping our neighborhoods. Today’s episode is both illuminating and empowering. We’re diving into the world of residential electricity with a behind-the-scenes look at one of the electric company suppliers that’s doing more than just keeping the lights on. This company isn’t just powering homes — they’re helping power Friday Night Lights at Ely Stadium as a proud corporate sponsor! We’re thrilled to be joined by James Smith, Chief Marketing Officer of APG&E, along with one of our very own graduates, Brittany Turner — now leading the charge as the company's Digital Marketing Manager. APG&E, an energy provider out of Texas and serving states nationwide, including Ohio, with service in Elyria. In this episode, we’ll explore how electric service really works, the choices homeowners have, and practical tips to lower your monthly bill — all straight from the experts. So whether you're curious about your own energy options or just love hearing about local success stories, you won’t want to miss this one. Let’s flip the switch and get started! Learn more about APG&E here: www.apge.com It's a great day to be a Pioneer! Thanks for listening. Find Elyria Schools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Petey Podcast, we’re joined by Jay Banyasz, Director of Sports Performance for Elyria Schools. Jay is a visionary who is transforming the way high school athletes approach training, health and long-term wellness. His innovative program is built right into the school day--from mobility and strength to nutrition, mental health, and recovery, his classes are covering the full scope of what it means to be a healthy, high-performing athlete. Students are seeing measurable gains in performance, endurance, and injury prevention—and they're getting the support they need without having to sacrifice academics or personal time. Tune in to hear how this school-based approach is raising the bar for what high school sports performance can look like.  It's a great day to be a Pioneer! Thanks for listening. Find Elyria Schools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!

Send us Fan Mail Elyria Apple Festival Princess Pageant Chair, Jen Parker, is back! Jen joined us on Petey Podcast to shine the light on the Apple Princess Pageant -- what it involves and how to take part. She explains how to sign up, what participants can expect and how the pageant brings the contestants and the community together. Whether you're thinking about joining or just curious how it all works, Jen gives us a clear look at what goes on behind the scenes -- take a listen!  It's a great day to be a Pioneer! Thanks for listening. Find Elyria Schools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!

Send us Fan Mail Four years ago, we sat down with Ethan Trampush, a remarkable young man who had just graduated high school and earned a full congressional scholarship to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Our podcast was in its early days—his story was one of our first, and one we never forgot. He returns now as a West Point graduate and a newly commissioned officer in the U.S. Army. In this episode, we catch up on his journey and what it took to navigate the physical, mental and emotional demands of West Point, the growth he experienced along the way, and the sense of purpose that now drives him as an Army officer. He was joined at his commissioning ceremony by a special guest—his former high school teacher, John Wallace, a U.S. Army veteran who inspired him from the start, and who joins him in studio for this interview.  It's a great day to be a Pioneer! Thanks for listening. Find Elyria Schools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!

Send us Fan Mail The trivia battles continue! In Round four of Basinski's Brain Busters, two more of our quick-witted school principals--Stacey Gatten and Michelle Nimene--step up to the mic for a head-to-head showdown of fast facts, funny guesses and racing to beat the buzzer (literally!) With the Ultimate Showdown just around the corner in August, the pressure is on—only the top-scoring principals from the series will earn a coveted spot in the final face-off for the title of Season 1 Champion! Who will prove they’ve got the knowledge (or the lucky guesses) to advance? Spoiler Alert: If you want a glimpse of the real competitiveness, don’t miss the "Behind the Mic" highlight video on PioneerTV YouTube—one contestant gives the buzzer a serious workout trying to be first every time!  It’s brains, buzzers and bragging rights in this hilarious episode you won’t want to miss! It's a great day to be a Pioneer! Thanks for listening. Find Elyria Schools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!

Send us Fan Mail The competition is heating up! In this third installment of our wildly fun Basinski's Brain Busters series, principals from across the district go head-to-head in a spirited battle of wits, random facts and ridiculous questions. From pop culture curveballs to school-themed stumpers, no topic is off-limits—and no answer is too silly. Who will rise to the top and who will crack under the pressure of the buzzer? This round is more than bragging rights—each correct answer brings our contestants--Brenda Wittman and Todd Church--one step closer to a spot in Basinski's Ultimate Showdown this August, where the winningest principals from the series will face off for the coveted title of Season 1 Champion. Tune in for laughs, surprises and some unexpectedly competitive school leaders! It's a great day to be a Pioneer! Thanks for listening. Find Elyria Schools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of our Fall Sports Spotlight Series, we sit down with the Head Coach Matt Wilson of the Elyria High Pioneer Football program as he heads into his second season at the helm—energized, focused and excited about the direction the program is heading. With summer training in full swing, he talks about how a strong, structured sports performance program is already paying off, setting athletes up for a competitive and confident start to the season. Coach Wilson shares what’s ahead for the team this fall, how offseason efforts translate into on-field success, and how players can still get involved. He also shines a light on the community-driven aspects of the program, including an annual mini-camp where young football players train and connect with the varsity players—a day designed to inspire, engage, and grow interest in the sport! But his impact doesn’t stop with Friday nights. Coach Wilson also took on the challenge of launching the district’s first-ever Girls Flag Football Team this past spring, and he’s passionate about the opportunities opening up in this fast-growing sport. Whether you're a parent, player or Pioneer football fan, this behind-the-scenes look at the program and its leadership will keep you riveted! It's a great day to be a Pioneer! Thanks for listening. Find Elyria Schools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!

Send us Fan Mail As part of our Fall Sports Spotlight series, we welcome Donovan Belizaire, Head Coach of the Elyria High School Pioneers Boys Soccer Team. Donovan is a leader who’s making an impact both on the field and during the school day. As a dedicated high school counselor by day and coach by season, he brings a powerful combination of mentorship and motivation to the lives of student-athletes. We talk about what makes the soccer program more than just a team: the culture it builds and the discipline it takes. Coach Belizaire walks us through how the program operates, including summer training, preseason preparation, and what athletes and families need to know to get involved this fall. It's a great day to be a Pioneer! Thanks for listening. Find Elyria Schools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to Basinski's Brain Busters on Petey Podcast! This is Episode 2 in our special trivia showdown series — where knowledge meets personality, and the stakes are bragging rights! Today, things are getting competitive between two of our district principals, Jim Rollence and Brett Heighberger--middle school versus high school. Who will rule the trivia throne in this episode? Who will move on to the next round of competition? Let’s dive into the fun — it’s time for the brain busting to begin! :) It's a great day to be a Pioneer! Thanks for listening. Find Elyria Schools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!