Who We Are
Staff & Faculty
Marcy Raymond, Principal
As the principal of Metro High School, Marcy Raymond is the instructional leader responsible for ensuring that the mission and vision of the school is attained and promoted.
Mrs. Raymond has provided leadership to the field of education and strategic school improvement for 19 years, most recently working as a Senior Program Officer for KnowledgeWorks Foundation.
While with KnowledgeWorks, she was responsible for designing and coordinating the technical assistance provided for 15 large urban high schools converting to 58 small schools in the Ohio High School Transformation Initiative. This included the management of 35 school change coaches and the professional development required for the conversion process for 79 small school leaders and 1500 instructional staff members.
She has served as a National Facilitator for the National School Reform Faculty, Program Director for the Ohio Principals Leadership Academy and Director of the Ohio Coalition of Essential Schools. As a performance consultant, Raymond has coached numerous school districts to improved performance according to the State of Ohio Report Card.
Her career has spanned the field to include teaching Chemistry, AP Chemistry, Math, Physical Science, OWE Science, American History, and Reading in both urban and suburban districts. As a school administrator, she worked in both high school administration and central office.
At Reynoldsburg High School, Raymond led the conversion to smaller learning communities through the Federal Smaller Learning Communities Grant and served as the principal of the Preparatory Academy for all 9th and 10th grade students. While an administrator in Reynoldsburg City Schools’ district office, Raymond was responsible for instructional programming and managed both the Gifted and Talented programs and alternative education.
A frequent national speaker and author on educational reform issues, coaching school change, high school literacy and high school conversion practices, Raymond’s educational background includes a Bachelor's degree from Muskingum College (chemistry and history), graduate studies in literacy and leadership at Bowling Green State University, and a Master's degree from The Ohio State University in policy and leadership.
Raymond works tirelessly to improve education because she believes in its power. "A highly personalized and rigorous educational experience in high school should be given to every child. I’m driven to provide the kinds of experiences where students define their own destiny, have a voice in their community, and have real access to success.”
Aimee Kennedy, Assistant Principal
Aimee Kennedy came to Columbus from Canton, Ohio. She completed her undergraduate degree at Malone College, with a major in Communications Comprehensive. She began her teaching career at The Freshman Academy in Canton City Schools where she was a team leader, and served as English department chair and literacy specialist at McKinley Senior High School. Her varied experiences as a classroom teacher include building quality relationships with diverse groups of stakeholders and designing lessons that are engaging and authentic to her students.
Kennedy earned a Master's in Educational Administration at the University of Akron, and is in a doctoral program in Educational Administration at The Ohio State University. Her experience as an educator, firmly rooted in the belief that all students can in fact achieve at high levels, has included several opportunities to design professional development, and lead reform.
Diana Wolterman, Battelle Project Manager in Residence
Diana Wolterman is the Battelle Project Manager in Residence at Metro. A Battelle staff member for more than 28 years, Wolterman has a background in finance and program administration. Her role at Metro has grown from tracking the progress during the planning phase to serving as Battelle’s liaison full time at the school.
Wolterman is the point-of-contact and initiator for collaborative efforts involving Battelle and its partners such as The Ohio State University, the PAST Foundation, Metro staff, students and parents, and the Educational Council and its affiliated programs. She coordinates volunteers and develops plans to support STEM-related efforts in the central Ohio region. Wolterman strives to communicate to partners, stakeholders, educators, the general public and other interested parties the innovative activities and events in the school in order to broaden the impact of Metro as a STEM-school model for the state and the nation. Check out her blog: www.battelle.org/metro.
Jane Ensign, Curriculum Coordinator
As Director of Curriculum at Metro, Jane Ensign combines her skills in education and business to meet students’ needs. She is developing a strong, innovative foreign language program to ensure students acquire knowledge and skills in STEM areas and foreign language so they become true global professionals.
She earned a Bachelor in Business Education and a Masters of Business from Marshall University. Ensign has served as a high school teacher, a college instructor, high school principal and director of curriculum and instruction at the Ohio Department of Education (ODE). While at ODE, she led the development of the state’s academic content standards. Her private sector experience includes creating a strategic marketing plan and working in direct sales for an IBM distributor in the greater Chicago area. She also has worked with The Ohio State University Chinese Flagship Program to develop successful K-12 Chinese language courses.
Ensign resides in Dublin with her husband John. She understands how the results of the educational process are reflected in the workplace. Ensign looks forward to working collaboratively with others to help Ohio citizens of all ages become global professionals through language and cultural learning.
Tish Krajnak, Records Clerk
Tish Krajnak is the Attendance Secretary/Records Officer for Metro. She was born in New York but has been a Columbus resident most of her life. She has an Associate’s degree in Accounting, and her work experiences have been in the private and public sector. She is married with two children: a son who will be a part of the first graduating class of Metro High School and a daughter who was adopted from China in 1999.
Krajnak has worked with children in some capacity since 1981, including time spent in an administrative position for a children’s program and as a Parent Consultant for Columbus City Schools. She is a strong advocate for students with learning disabilities and has always been involved as a volunteer in her children’s schools.
Mari Burgett, Communications Coordinator
Mari Burgett is Communications Coordinator for Metro Early College High School and the Educational Council. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from The Ohio State University and worked as a broadcast television assistant and general assignment newspaper reporter before transitioning to a school environment. In the early 90s, she began working with the Pickaway County Head Start program as a home-based instructor and family advocate. Her responsibilities included parent communications for the agency. After taking a leave to be a stay-at-home wife and mother, Burgett served as a Parent Consultant with Columbus City Schools for several years before joining Metro.
Burgett is a native of Puerto Rico and a Buckeye by education and marriage. She and her husband Ed have three children, the oldest of which is a Metro student.
Deb Daniels, Executive Assistant
Deborah Daniels joined Metro in 2009. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Ohio Dominican University and plans to pursue an alternative teaching license for K-12 Intervention Specialist and grades 7-12 Integrated Math at Ashland University.
Daniels spent over 20 years in the corporate world as general manager, administrator, executive assistant and investor relations administrator. She moved to the non-profit sector where she was program director for a national after school program. In 2006, she joined the Educational Council staff as executive assistant and office manager before transitioning to the Metro staff.
Kathy Fries, Business Manager
As the Metro Business Manager, Kathy Fries takes care of “things”. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from Franklin University. She comes to Metro via the Ohio Center for Essential School Reform (where the idea of Metro was originated) and prior to that was the General Manager for Huntington Clothiers, a $20million men’s clothing company. Working closely with the students, their parents, and the amazing Metro staff has been very rewarding and this year, Mrs. Fries is thrilled to work as a Metro advisor alongside the lovely and talented Mrs. Burgett. Mrs. F. is married to the greatest guy ever and together they have two fabulous, smart and talented boys.
Marla Baker, Visual Arts
As Metro’s visual arts instructor, Marla Baker is responsible for building the school’s comprehensive creative arts curriculum. Through classroom study, hands-on studio work and community arts discovery, students are challenged to develop the creative thinking skills and perceptual awareness for understanding and producing art.
A seasoned creative arts instructor, Baker has 11 years of instructional experience having directed arts programs at all levels including elementary, middle, junior high, and high school. She has taught for the Logan Elm School District, Groveport Madison Local Schools, and Dublin City Schools. Baker earned her Bachelor’s degree in Art Education from Capital University and a Master's in Education from The College of Mount St. Joseph. She has continued to further her education by attending numerous graduate level courses at The Ohio State University and Ohio University.
Baker is excited to be teaching art after taking some time to be a full-time mom and volunteer at her children’s school. She is eager to share her passion and love for art with her students and is excited about introducing an interdisciplinary art program into the curriculum at Metro High School.
Greg Barkimer, Math
Greg Barkimer is a mathematics instructor at Metro. He graduated from The Ohio State University with a BS in Mathematics and a Master's in Math Education. Prior to coming to Metro, he taught for two years at Scioto Juvenile Correctional Facility in Delaware where he taught math to the incarcerated youth, many of whom had been out of the school system for some time.
In addition to teaching at Metro, Barkimer teaches evening courses at Columbus State Community College. He is excited about the many opportunities students at Metro have available to them and looks forward to helping his students prepare for a thorough education in the future.
Neal Bluel, Research Topics in Botany and Environmental Studies
Neal Bluel is an instructor of third-year research and topics. His background includes chef school and field work with insects in Costa Rica. Bluel has a B.S. in Plant Science and a M.Ed. in Science Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Missouri-Columbia. While an undergraduate student at Missouri-Columbia, he was awarded as a Western Seed Association Scholar for his performance in coursework and a Monsanto Undergraduate Fellow for his independent genetic research.
Bluel moved to Columbus in 2007 with his wife due to her position as the manager of Waterman Dairy Farm on The Ohio State University campus. Their first child was born a Buckeye in 2008.
Andrew Bruening, PhD, Engineering, Physics, Environmental Science
Andrew Bruening has an extensive background in the sciences with a Bachelor’s degree in Marine Geology from Eckerd College and a Ph.D. in Geology from the University of South Carolina (USC). Over the past 10 years, Dr. Bruening has taught at the high school and collegiate level. He taught high school Physics and Earth Science classes from 1998 to 2001 before returning to school for his Ph.D. in 2001. As a graduate student at USC, he taught laboratory courses and several undergraduate courses.
At Metro, Dr. Bruening has taught science and engineering courses, the senior research course and Robotics at Metro’s Learning Center at COSI . As faculty advisor to the STEM Club, he has mentored several teams to the National Society of Black Engineers Regional and National Lego Robotics Championships. Dr. Bruening’s innovative experiential techniques demonstrate his enjoyment of teaching and have provided his students with mastery level concepts and ideas. Dr. Bruening believes in involving students in research as much as possible, and works to incorporate his own research experiences into the classroom.
Beth Burkhart, Mathematics
Beth Burkhart teaches math courses at Metro. She graduated from Ball State University with a BS in Computer Science and earned her MBA from the University of Dayton. She worked at Battelle for 12 years as a data analyst before taking an extended leave to be home with her children. In 2008, she earned her math teaching license at the University of Dayton.
Burkhart is eager to share her career and life experiences with her students as she teaches math and prepares them for the future.
Peter DeWitt, Biology and Chemistry
Peter DeWitt teaches biology and chemistry and is a lead instructor for Metro’s biomedical science program “Bodies” at Metro’s Learning Center at Westerville Central High School.
DeWitt earned a B.S. in Biology (evolution and ecology) from The Ohio State University. During his time as an undergraduate, he served as president of OSU’s Mountaineering Club, leading several interstate rock climbing, backpacking, fly fishing, and mountaineering trips. He earned his Master’s in Secondary Science Education (with a life sciences and chemistry concentration) from The Ohio State University.
In addition to outdoor adventures, DeWitt enjoys photography, woodworking, and acoustic guitars. As a science teacher, he looks forward to the opportunities available for his students at Metro. He is excited about the collaborative efforts with Battelle and OSU, the small class sizes, and the emphasis on conceptual understanding afforded by the mastery system. He is keenly interested in both the academic and personal growth of his students.
Xiaoli “Shirley” Doty, Chinese
Shirley Doty holds a BA in English as well as a Masters Degree in Business Administration. She completed the Chinese Language Teaching Program at The Ohio State University, and received her K thru 12 Chinese Teachers License from the State of Ohio.
As a native Chinese speaker, Shirley has been an instructor for the Chinese Immersion Summer Camp since 2007, and teaches at the Ohio Contemporary Chinese School. She also taught seventh-grade Chinese language for the Diocese of Columbus during 2008-2009.
In order to keep students engaged at the center of the learning process, Shirley augments Chinese language lessons with a variety of culturally rich activities. These activities increase the “fun factor” of the lessons and encourage students to engage one another in the target language. The idea is to “accelerate their learning, by increasing their interest”.
Jeffrey Elliott, Social Studies
Jeffrey Elliott teaches integrated social studies at Metro. Elliott earned his Integrated Social Studies certification, Bachelor’s in History, and Master’s in Social Studies Education at The Ohio State University. He taught American History, World History, Government and Economics at Whetstone High School (Columbus) for three years, then taught Humanities, American History and Psychology at Rutherford B. Hayes High School (Delaware) for a year.
Elliott and his colleague at Metro, Cory Neugebauer, are excited to be developing a brand-new, project-based social studies curriculum that emphasizes meaningful learning and allows second year students to discover their role in their community and world. Elliott is passionate about education, self-discovery, and what the social sciences can contribute to our lives.
Ellen Hogue, Spanish
Ellen Hogue is Metro's Spanish teacher. Hogue has 15 years education experience in both urban and rural settings. She has taught Spanish grades K through 12. Following one year as an exchange student in Costa Rica, Hogue earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication at The Ohio State University and an education certification from Baldwin-Wallace College. She has completed coursework in Spanish at Cleveland State University, Akron University and La Universidad Internacional Menendez Pelayo in Santander, Spain. Additionally, she has served as a guest teacher in Cartago, Costa Rica. Hogue has worked as a liaison and coordinator for intra-national and international exchange programs for nine years. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in curriculum and supervision at Otterbein College.
Hogue’s work and philosophy reflect a desire to create an environment where academic learning is linked to real world issues in today’s global community. She is excited to have the opportunity to develop a language curriculum that integrates with and supports the challenging core curriculum at Metro.
Spencer Ladd, Physics and Engineering
Spencer Ladd teaches Environmental Research, Introduction to Engineering Design, and Physics. He previously taught physical science at Reynoldsburg High School and Champlin Park High School in Champlin, MN. Ladd earned his B.S. in Chemistry and his Master’s degree with a focus in Secondary Science Education at the University of Minnesota.
Ladd is a native of Minnesota and now lives in Columbus with his wife, Heather. He enjoys participating in adult hockey and softball leagues as well as competitive running. Ladd is excited to join Metro because of its great staff, students, and teaching and learning opportunities.
Andrea McAllister, Language Arts
Andrea McAllister is a language arts instructor at Metro. Before becoming a teacher, she worked in banking and finance. After college, she held several positions with the Wright Patman Congressional Federal Credit Union, most notably as their policy and procedures writer. She has numerous experiences working and volunteering in corporate America and not-for-profit agencies and brings a wide range of perspectives to the field of teaching and learning.
McAllister earned her B.A. from the University of Maryland, majoring in English Language, Writing, and Rhetoric. She completed her Master of Arts in Urban Secondary Education at Cleveland State University, where she also obtained an endorsement to teach English as a Second Language.
A move to Columbus to deepen her relationship with her fiancé (now husband) brought McAllister to the Educational Council’s Christopher Program. During her year as a facilitator, she focused on exploring her philosophy of teaching and strengthening her repertoire of instructional strategies. Her teaching experience includes performance-based assessment, layered curriculum, project-based learning, differentiating instruction, team teaching, co-operative learning and teaching in block schedules. Before moving to Columbus, she taught English and Pre-AP English for three years at Shaw High School in East Cleveland, Ohio. She served as a teacher-leader in the planning, transitioning, and first year implementation converting Shaw High School from a large school to five small schools.
Krista Miller, Science
Krista Miller teaches science courses at Metro and is a Columbus native. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Math and a teaching license from Bluffton University. While at Bluffton, she also worked as a writing tutor for the English Department. During college, Miller studied Peace and Conflict-Resolution in Northern Ireland and completed a summer teaching internship with Chicago Public Schools in Chicago, Illinois.
Miller taught Integrated Math 2, Algebra 1 and Algebra 2 at Lima Senior High Progressive Academy in Lima for three years before returning to Columbus. While at Lima, she received the Lima Education Association’s Teachers Touching Lives award. Miller also earned a Physics License through the CORE Physics program at Wright State University.
Miller believes that learning never stops and hopes to enable her students to become life-long learners. She believes our experiences shape us, and that traveling and expanding our worldviews are important in creating aware, responsible, global citizens of the future.
Cory Neugebauer, Integrated Social Studies
Cory Neugebauer attended the University of Maryland where he earned a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Criminology/Criminal Justice with a second major in Spanish and a minor in Government and Politics. In addition, he completed a study abroad program in Spain as well as internships with U.S. House of Representative John R. Kasich and the U.S. Marshals Service. He then served six years as a Special Agent for the U.S. Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service living and working in Washington, D.C., the Caribbean, Central Asia, Europe, and Africa.
After resigning his appointment with the government, he earned a Master's of Education in Social Studies and Global Education from The Ohio State University while on a graduate fellowship. He is working on certification requirements for an endorsement in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).
Throughout his career, Neugebauer has taught, tutored, and coached students aged 3 to 18. He worked at the Columbus Montessori Education Center as a Teacher’s Assistant over a six year span and has taught in Bexley and Columbus City Schools. He has tutored at The Ohio State University in economics and sociology and served as a private tutor in Spanish for middle and high school students. He coached football at Gahanna Middle School West for two years. He believes his most rewarding experiences have been working with young people to facilitate knowledge and opportunity in order for them to find the success they desire. Neugebauer teaches integrated social studies at Metro.
Theo Nicholson, Digital Electronics
Theodore Nicholson III teaches Digital Electronics at Metro’s Learning Center at COSI. He has a B.S. in Chemistry from Oakwood College in Huntsville, AL. As an undergraduate, Nicholson worked as a lab assistant in organic chemistry and analytical chemistry, working closely with students and preparing labs and assessments. As a graduate student, he has worked as a National Science Foundation GK-12 fellow in 3rd and 5th grade science classes. He has worked at Metro since its opening as a graduate teaching fellow assisting in Principles of Engineering, Introduction to Engineering Design, and Biomedical Science courses.
Nicholson is currently a PhD Candidate at the Ohio State University in the Biomedical Engineering department where his field of research is biomedical nanotechnology and biomedical microdevices. Nicholson incorporates his research and related concepts in the classroom environment so that students can connect real world technologies with fundamental theories of engineering.
Mike Owens, Wellness
Mike Owens teaches Metro’s Wellness course (physical education and health). He joined the Metro staff with ten years of teaching experience. Owens served as an instructor and athletic director for schools in the Cincinnati area before moving to central Ohio. Most recently, he taught in the Hilliard City School district and coached football at the high school level.
Owens is a student at Ashland University where he is working on Master's degree in sports education. His wife Katie is also a teacher, and they have a son named Ben.
Meka Pace, Intervention Specialist
Meka Pace is the Intervention Coordinator for Metro. She facilitates Special Education services for students with Individualized Educational Plans or 504 plans. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University and is working on a Master’s in Education at Otterbein University.
Pace came to Metro in 2006 from Columbus City Schools. There, she worked as an Intervention Specialist with students identified with learning disabilities and those with mild to moderate handicaps. Her experiences range from elementary to high school students. Pace also participated in the Teacher Advancement Program where she served as a mentor teacher to the 6th grade teaching staff. She had the responsibilities of research, modeling best teaching practices and professional development for her team.
Pinpin Peng, Chemistry and Chinese
PinPin Peng was born and raised in China. She received her Bachelor's in Chemistry Education from the Yangzhou University, China, where she worked as a student affairs coordinator for several years. She then moved to the United States to join her husband and pursue her graduate study. In 2006, she received her M.A.Ed. in secondary science education from the College of William and Mary, Virginia.
Before joining Metro, Peng worked as a science teacher at Premier Academy of Ohio and taught Chinese in Williamsburg Chinese School, VA. While an undergraduate and graduate student, she conducted research work in chemistry teaching and learning and published three research papers in academic journals in the United States and China. Peng completed a Chinese teaching training program at The Ohio State University and received her Chinese teacher license.
Peng is very excited to be teaching chemistry and Chinese at Metro. She holds high expectations for students and believes every student can be successful. She is enthusiastic to help her students express themselves to the best of their abilities and develop as critical thinkers, life-long learners, and open-minded global citizens.
Hollie Robinson, Tutor
Hollie Robinson is a tutor at Metro. She has been tutoring for over five years and enjoys watching the light bulb click when students are able to grasp concepts. She earned her B.A. in Sociology from The Ohio State University, but her interests were always with children and education. She has worked as a Childcare Director and as a substitute teacher with Columbus City Schools where she enjoyed working with high school students in math and science. She also spent time as an outreach counselor for troubled teen girls.
Robinson is working toward her Intervention Specialist license with a focus in math. She enjoys working with students and helping them achieve success in their courses at Metro as well as in their personal lives.
Craig Saarie, Language Arts
Craig Saarie teaches Integrated Language Arts at Metro. He previously taught at Athens High School and Meigs High School in southeastern Ohio. He earned his degree in Integrated Language Arts Education with a minor in Theater from Ohio University, where he served as a board member of Sigma Tau Delta, an international English Honors Society, and was a member of National Council for Teachers of English. He studied English and Theater at New York University during the summer of 2002 and studied the literature and theater of Shakespeare in London and Stratford on Avon in 2003.
Saarie often uses the famous Aristotelian quotation in class, “It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.” In this vein, he strives to incorporate a variety of world-views and cultural understandings in his classes. As an educator, he wants to deepen his student’s understandings of reading and writing while making connections to the world around them. In his spare time, Saarie is an avid music enthusiast, whether through concert attendance, discovery of new music, or the writing, recording and producing of his own music.
Thomas Stanford, Ph.d, Tutor
Thomas Stanford serves as an in-class tutor, providing continuing support and assistance to individual students during the school day. He joins Metro as a member of the Intervention Specialist team after retiring from a career in Research and Development, having spent over 30 years as an R&D scientist. His responsibilities include providing classroom assistance for students with identified learning disabilities and tutoring and guidance for those with academic deficiencies or other special needs. In particular, he works on a one-on-one basis with selected students to help guide their development and assist in overcoming specific hurdles in their course work.
Dr. Stanford spent his earlier career developing technologies in response to society’s needs for solutions in environmental, manufacturing and materials development. He has been the author/co-author of more than 20 patents and numerous published papers and reports spanning his career.
After retiring from his career as a research chemist, Dr. Stanford redirected his career toward education. He has served as an adjunct at several universities and most recently as a substitute teacher in primary and secondary education. He is strongly committed to the education and development of young students and adding to their awareness of the practical application of science in today’s world. His mission is to familiarize students with the demands, constraints, expectations, possibilities and limitations of the science profession and introduce them to exciting careers in science.
Kim Swensen, Language Arts
Kim Swensen teaches language arts and joins Metro after teaching for 10 years as an adjunct instructor in the department of Women’s Studies at The Ohio State University. Swensen is committed to social justice and equality and sees education as a vehicle to promote critical thinking and community responsibility. She believes working with young students is a gift and relishes the opportunity to work in Metro’s culture of personalized education.
Swensen has lived in Columbus for more than 20 years. She earned a B.A. in English and Women’s Studies, a Master of Arts in Women’s Studies, and a M.Ed. in Integrated Language Arts at The Ohio State University. She enjoys time with her family, outdoor activities, and the vibrant arts community in Columbus. Her favorite author is Toni Morrison and her favorite genre is currently children’s literature which she reads voraciously with her young sons.
Carol Van Fossen, Math
Carol Van Fossen teaches mathematics at Metro. She has 11 years of teaching experience in both public and private secondary schools and 10 years experience teaching at the two-year community college level. Having moved to Columbus with her family in 2006, Van Fossen has most recently taught at The Wellington School and at Columbus State Community College. Van Fossen earned her Bachelor's degree from Bowling Green State University and her Master's degree from Walden University, both in mathematics education.
Van Fossen looks forward to helping each student reach his or her full potential in her pre-calculus class by presenting the concepts in different ways to meet the needs of each learner. In addition, she will be working with students to help them become self-directed learners in preparation for success in the college mathematics curriculum.
Jackie Weaver, Intervention Specialist
Jackie Weaver completed her undergraduate education at Mount Union College where she majored in psychology and minored in art and Japanese. While at Mount Union, she established a Women’s wrestling program, participated in multicultural activities, and was involved in various community service and campus activities.
After college, she moved to Tennessee where she worked as a Counselor/Teacher at Eckerd Youth Alternatives, a Wilderness Education Facility that focused on helping at-risk and high-risk youth and their families. Weaver focused on the belief that “there is no lost cause…all youth can succeed with a little guidance.” She returned to Ohio to attend The Ohio State University and Ashland College to work on a Master’s degree as an intervention specialist. She worked as manager of the Outdoor Adventure Center at OSU, where she was a rock-climbing instructor and trip leader. She has been a substitute teacher in Columbus and Dublin City Schools.
After earning her Master's degree and HQT certifications, she worked as an English Resource Room Intervention Specialist at South-Western City Schools. She is now excited to be part of the Metro staff and continues to believe that all students can succeed when given the opportunity.