Troubling News Unifies Glendale Tuesday, February 28, 2012 By Olivia Trinca - Advertising The first moments of my freshman year were a culture shock to say the least. I remember everything about those first footsteps and first glances, my awkward 14 year-old anxieties surely apparent through my confident façade. Each corner I turned seemed to be occupied by a different public display of affection; I was overwhelmed by the vast array of fashion senses and the mass of students sporting them. I quickly turned into the first class period of my high school career, praying for an escape from the chaos I clearly wasn’t prepared for: Health with Coach Howard Bell. Coach Bell’s class proved to be one of the most enlightening experiences I’ve had at Glendale, not simply for the curriculum, but for the life lessons we were taught through Bell’s experiences and wisdom. Bell has been at Glendale since 1991 and has been the head baseball coach since 2005. Over that time, he has inspired and been a role model to hundreds of students and athletes. Offering forgiveness to the drunken driver who ended his baseball career and nearly his life, Bell is the most gracious, humble and kindhearted person I know. He is always the first person to congratulate Cabinet for pulling off another dance or assembly and never hesitates to applaud any club or team for its hard work. Now, it’s our time to give back to Coach Bell. In January, he was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease or ALS. The ALS Association defines this disease as a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. This disease is ultimately fatal, while the average life expectancy is two to five years from diagnosis. Medical equipment and treatment are expensive and increase as the disease progresses. As of Feb. 8, 2012, the Glendale community has raised approximately $8,000 to aid the Bell family with such medical expenses. Various organizations including Cabinet and World Language Club are reaching out to offer some sort of repayment for everything Coach Bell has contributed to Glendale. The girl’s basketball game on Feb. 6 vs. Kickapoo served as a fundraiser for Bell and his family. There is also a Help Howard Bell Strike Out ALS fund at Great Southern Bank that is open for donations. Monetary repayment is only part of what we as a community can be doing for the Bell family. We need to extend our hearts and compassion to Coach Bell in his time of need, reminding him exactly what he means to us. Bell has been more than just a teacher and coach, but a mentor to everyone whose life he has touched.

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