Submitted article
Students in Mrs. Lesley Buzza’s third grade Social Studies class at Galion Intermediate have been studying government and learning about how laws are enacted at the local, state and federal levels. One the students, R.J. Riddlebaugh, became unhappy when he learned that Galion students were no longer allowed to have pizza parties during their lunch.
On October 29, Galion staff received an email from Superintendent Mark Stefanik’s office stating they were no longer allowed to offer pizza as a reward during lunch because pizza alone does not satisfy the federal nutritional guidelines for school lunches. When this information was shared, the students’ disappointment led to a conversation about government policies and their trickle down effect.
“The conversation about how the federal government creates policies that are meant to create positive changes, but sometimes they have unintended consequences like no longer being able to have pizza parties in class started during Mrs. Buzza’s Social Studies class,” Riddlebaugh’s home room teacher Josh Riggle said. “A few students questioned whether or not things could change and that’s when the conversation turned to our rights and responsibilities granted through the Constitution, including the freedom of speech which allows us the opportunity to voice our opinions to our elected officials and inspire change in our democratic society.”
That day, R.J. went home and shared what happened with his mother, Brandi Riddlebaugh.
“He came home from school and said he was really upset because the teachers told his class they couldn’t have pizza parties anymore,” Brandi said. “He told me that City Council said it’s (pizza party) not allowed. We talked about it and I mentioned he could write a letter if he wanted.”
The letter R.J. wrote and delivered to City of Galion Clerk of Council Julie Bell not only shared his frustration over the matter, but he also shared why he was frustrated. In his letter, R.J. shared that “a pizza party encourages kids to read more. And as you know reading is important.”
He went on to share his love of pizza, as well as his classmates’, and he asked the Galion City Council if they would reconsider their decision.
“Mom brought him to my office and he walked straight up, introduced himself and shook my hand,” Bell said. “I read the letter and just thought it was adorable, even though I knew he was not in the right place.”
Bell’s office wasn’t his first stop in City Hall when R.J. undertook his mission to deliver his letter. Initially, he visited City of Galion Law Director Thomas Palmer’s office. After speaking with R.J., Palmer took Riddlebaugh to Bell’s office.
When Bell read the letter to City Council, all the members agreed they should sponsor a pizza party for R.J. and his classmates to show the students that you can do something good when you stand up for your beliefs.
“It was good that he took the initiative to get involved and we wanted to reward the students for standing up,” 4th Ward Councilwoman Susan Bean said.
City of Galion Mayor Tom O’Leary has never witnessed someone as young as R.J. petition a city government.
“In the process of learning about government, he had the impression that City Council had outlawed pizza parties,” O’Leary said. “Mrs. Bell, after reading the letter at a council meeting, had the excellent idea of showing that council was in favor of pizza parties by sponsoring one for R.J.’s class.”
Bean, Bell and O’Leary personally delivered pizza to R.J., his classmates and his teacher, Mr. Riggle.
“This is the first time this has happened in my four-year teaching career,” Riggle said. “It’s a proud moment for me, especially with R.J., because he’s not a student that you would expect to take that initiative. He stepped out of his comfort zone and took advantage of an opportunity to express his feelings.”
“I want to commend R.J. for taking the initiative to write the letter, deliver it to Mrs. Bell and stand up for something he believes in,” Superintendent Mark Stefanik said. “Our students can still enjoy pizza parties during the afternoon hours of the school day, however we want to ensure that all our students enjoy healthy lunches that meets all the federal guidelines. I would personally never ban student pizza parties because they serve as a wonderful reward for student achievement, and I love a good pizza just as much as the next person.”
“I’m really proud of R.J.,” Brandi Riddlebaugh said. “I’m glad to see that he’s willing to stand up for something he believes in and say I’m going to do something about this.”
R.J. shared with the classroom guests that he has dreams of playing professional football or being President of the United States someday.
“I’m going to vote for him someday,” Bell said. “I may be using my cane, but I’m going to vote for him!”