The Versailles Republican Headline News

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PAGE UPDATED BY MARIA SIEVERDING AUGUST 17, 2017 1 P.M.

South Ripley grad joins Walt Disney cast

Jared Rogers
STAFF WRITER

Marketed as, “The most magical place on earth,” Walt Disney World has captured the hearts of countless children and families in its long history. For 2016 South Ripley graduate Patrick Cole, he hopes to turn that magic into a career. Now a sophomore at the University of Indianapolis, where he studies creative writing and marketing, Cole has recently moved to Orlando to participate in Disney’s “College Program.”

SUBMITTED PHOTO
Pictured left, Patrick Cole looks forward to his time at Walt Disney World this fall. He will be part of the entertainment cast.

“I’ve always had a dream to work for the Walt Disney company,” he shares. The opportunity is considered to be like an internship, and he is excited to be a part of the “entertainment” cast. Being in entertainment will mean he portrays a variety of Disney’s characters in its parks. To earn such a position, he learned animation sequences and dances for an audition in Chicago, in addition to two verbal interviews. Prior to his current endeavor, Cole worked at the Disney retail store in Indianapolis, something he believes helped him get his foot in the door.

The Cole family has made a tradition out of visiting Walt Disney World, and Patrick has fond memories of adventures with his mother and father, Karen and Jim Cole; his sister, Megan; and his grandparents, Brenda and Larry Armbrecht. He says his time spent in high school working at the Versailles Dairy Queen, his grandparents’ business, also helped hone his customer service skills, something in which Disney prides itself.

The College Program accepts over 8,000 participants each year, and Walt Disney World employs over 60,000 employees to serve its 52 million annual guests. Cole looks forward to connecting with other program participants, and spending time at nearby beaches and the Disney parks when out of character. He plans to work at least one semester, and currently hopes to extend it to two. Looking ahead, Cole says he would like to work within the Imagineering Research and Development arm of the company, which creates new parks, attractions, and shows. “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them,” Walt Disney, the legend himself, is quoted. Patrick Cole certainly seems to be aspiring to those words.

Holton Fire Chief resigns

Wanda English Burnett
EDITOR

In a meeting on Monday, August 14, Gabe Cruser chief for the Otter Creek Volunteer Fire Department, resigned. He had been arrested in Jennings County for possession of meth and paraphernalia on Saturday, August 12. A spokesperson for the department said they had suspicions about him using drugs and had planned a random drug test any way. “The arrest just came a couple days early,” the person noted. Assistant chiefs David Franklin and Levi Speer will assume responsibilities of the chief for the time being

Holton fire members are proud of their department and are working toward a new firehouse and shelter. “We are on target and have narrowed it down to two engineers for the new building and shelter,” noted Cynthia Melton, who is the Otter Creek Township Trustee.