Attaboy for Ivor

Kevin Galvin · Post by **Kevin Galvin** » Fri May 25, 2007 2:39 pm

I had occasion to attend the honors/awards assembly at Lakewood High on Weds.

Dr. Wagner produced the 2007 yearbook and explained that the cover was designed by Ivor Karabatkovic. Dr. Wagner further explained that the publishers had told him that this was one of the best they had ever seen. Making this accomplishment even more impressive is that Ivor did this in one night.

I would also like to point out that I have never met Ivor so I'm not trying to pump up a friend or relative. I do want him to know that accomplishments made by young people are also noticed by us old farts.

Kudos Ivor. Keep up the good work so that we can all say "we knew him when".

dl meckes · Post by **dl meckes** » Fri May 25, 2007 3:27 pm

Kevin-

The Lakewood Observer has been dependent on Ivor's talent and energy since the autumn of '05. Jim met him while shooting some photos at some sort of athletic event (I'm guessing it was a football game) and was very excited that this kid had agreed to do photos of LHS events. Ivor's roll with the Observer grew from there.

We were thrilled with his images and work ethic. We went around bragging that this high school junior was one of our primary photographers and how talent knows no age. It wasn't until Ivor was recognized by the national PTA that the Observer put a picture of Ivor (and the other recipients) on the front page of the paper, thereby "blowing his cover."

I'm glad to hear of these latest kudos. I can't wait to see what he does next.

Ivor Karabatkovic · Post by **Ivor Karabatkovic** » Fri May 25, 2007 3:45 pm

Kudos Ivor. Keep up the good work so that we can all say "we knew him when".

thank you mr.galvin.
Those words have been covering the pages of my yearbook for the past few days since I'm a senior and I'll be leaving LHS.

Graduation is very bittersweet, and this morning was my shock of "crap- i'm a freshman again"

but as I was walking to the LO offices this morning, I kept thinking about what my journalism teacher wrote in my yearbook yesterday. He was my freshman english teacher, journalism teacher, and times advisor, and my homeroom teacher. he's leaving the teaching business and going into sales because he has the opportunities to pay all the bills and have his wife stay at home with his first child.

He wrote

"It's great to be in love with what you do. Some people wait a life time. Keep it up."

and that had me thinking...

Anyways, thank you for the kind words. I believe in giving back, and look for some announcements coming up very soon about my plans of giving back to the city of lakewood.

Ivor Karabatkovic · Post by **Ivor Karabatkovic** » Fri May 25, 2007 3:46 pm

and don't worry, I'll never forget the night I met Jim at the football game and got my first break. I won't forget the people that have helped me do something positive with my time, and I'll never forget the great city that gave me the resources to pursue my dreams.

Hopefully this is just the beginning.

Danielle Masters · Post by **Danielle Masters** » Fri May 25, 2007 5:19 pm

That is fantastic Ivor. Great job.

Gary Rice · Post by **Gary Rice** » Fri May 25, 2007 7:19 pm

Ivor,

My congratulations to you for yet another recognition, as well as achieving another milestone in your life.

A friend of mine who did creative writing once said that the scariest thing that he ever had to face was the blank page in front of him.

What he did on that page could make or break his career.

So it is now with your life. As a graduating senior, your life is represented by that blank page. No one can tell you what to start doing on that page, but it will indeed, be the record of your life whether for well or for ill.

As to what to do? Well, there are two types of jobs: Those you like, and those you hate. Which would you prefer doing?

I enjoyed teaching for 31 years. Every day was a challenge, but every day was a joy, because I was helping kids with problems, as I had experienced when I was young.

In closing I would just suggest a modified version of that old saying:

"Take this job, and love it!"

Start now working towards your goals. These may change from time to time, and that's OK. Just keep moving. I seem to recall that the late, great educator Leo Buscaglia said that we were not so much human BEINGS, (as that implied that we were merely existing) as we are human BECOMINGS- on the road to perpetual betterment.

My dear late mom reminded me often that we were here for God, and for others. That thought has served me well over the years.

Enjoy the first day of the rest of your life!

Gary Rice

Jim O'Bryan · Post by **Jim O'Bryan** » Sat May 26, 2007 11:48 am

Ivor Karabatkovic, Lakewood Observer's eyes around town. Showing off the front and back of his new jacket. There is only one Ivor!

Ivor Karabatkovic, showing off his new jacket. This was made possible with help from Gary Rice, Geiger's Clothing on Detroit in Lakewood, and all of the advertisers, and members of the Lakewood Observer.

Ivor, thanks for everything.

.

David Lay · Post by **David Lay** » Sat May 26, 2007 11:54 am

Congrats Ivor!

Sean Wheeler · Post by **Sean Wheeler** » Sat May 26, 2007 6:31 pm

Though I've never had Ivor as a student in my class, I have been fortunate enough to get to know him a bit this year. This young man is a class act and deserving of every bit of the considerable praise heaped on him in recent days. I am thoroughly impressed with Ivor's sense of integrity, curiosity, and artistic beauty. I think I speak for many in saying that Ivor will always find a helping hand and an appreciative public here in Lakewood.

We're going to miss him at the high school, but hopefully his legacy of intelligent and dilligent work will be carried on.

Ivor, you're a great guy and an impressive young man. Keep going... and keep in touch.

Ivor Karabatkovic · Post by **Ivor Karabatkovic** » Sat May 26, 2007 6:40 pm

who's that stud in the photo!

Thanks Mr.Wheeler.

Teresa Andreani · Post by **Teresa Andreani** » Tue May 29, 2007 1:57 pm

Ivor,
The cover is awesome!! My kids came home and told me you'd designed it and that they thought it was really cool.

And to everyone else, congratulations to Ivor also for receiving one of the Katie & Herman Kleinmeyer scholarships from the Lakewood Alumni Foundation!!

Ivor..you are a joy to know!

Teresa Coyne Andreani '82
Executive Director
Lakewood Alumni Foundation

Jim O'Bryan · Post by **Jim O'Bryan** » Tue May 29, 2007 8:50 pm

Teresa Andreani wrote:Ivor,
The cover is awesome!! My kids came home and told me you'd designed it and that they thought it was really cool.

And to everyone else, congratulations to Ivor also for receiving one of the Katie & Herman Kleinmeyer scholarships from the Lakewood Alumni Foundation!!

Ivor..you are a joy to know!

Teresa Coyne Andreani '82
Executive Director
Lakewood Alumni Foundation

Teresa

I would like to thank you for your hard work at the school and with the Alumni Association. As I laid out the two pages of scholarships I could not help but think the positive impact you have made on students, parents, and this city.

Thank you.

.

Katrina Holmes · Post by **Katrina Holmes** » Wed May 30, 2007 10:19 am

I too was at the Honors Day program and heard Dr. Wagner compliment you on your cover design. The following day my junior came home wanting to get a yearbook. I was actually skimming through it this morning. As a graphic artist myself what a wonderful job! You obviously have a gift for this. Plus I love "The Real World" idea! I am sure the whole yearbook staff worked real hard on it.

Katrina