2014 Yellow Springs High School Senior Supplement

A SPECIAL SECTION OF THE YELLOW SPRINGS NEWS, MAY 22, 2014

CLASSOF 2014

COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES WILL BE HELD THURSDAY, MAY 29, 7 P.M., IN THE HIGH SCHOOL GYM BRIANNA AYERS

SIERRA LAWRENCE

VIVIAN BARBIAN

DUANE (TONY) LEWIS, III

A R I A N A B AT E M A N

JESSICA LIVEZEY

MORGAN BEARD†

ZOEY MCKINLEY HAMMOND (HAFIZ) MENSAH°

TAYLOR BECK

RACHEL ZENDLOVITZ MEYER

CHRISTINA BREWER

TERRY (JIMMY) MILLER*

HANNAH BROWN

NICHOLAS MILLER-

CARTER COLLINS

JACOBSON

AH’TEYONNA (TEE TEE)

MAXWELL MULLIN

COLQUITT

NKOSI NGQAKAYI

CAMARA CROSS*

BRIANA (RACHELE) ORME

CAYDEN DEFUSCO

TAT I A N N A ( T I A ) P E C K H A M *

KIRSTEN DENMAN

ANNDEE PETTIFORD

JUAN ERAZO

OLIVIA RAMAGE

JOSEPH FLORES

GRANT REIGELSPERGER

FRANCISCO

ERIC REIMERS

COMALERAS GELMI°

AARON REPORTER-

BENJAMIN GREEN

HARSHAW

NAOMI GUTH

MYCHAEL ROBERTS

SAGE HALE-WOLFE†

SAM SALAZAR†

DEBORAH HALL*

S H A R D É S C O T T- M A N N I N G *

KENNEDY HARSHAW

JACOB SMITH*

CAMERON HENDERSON

JULIA TARPEY†

SHANE HERBST*

LINDSEY WARD

SAM HOLMAN-SMITH†

TABEA WEGERS°

REED HUSTON*

EVIE WEIR

ZACHARY KIMMET

JOSHUA WEIS*

MAEVE KORKAN-LAUGHLIN

IVY WELSH

EIZO LANG-EZEKIEL†

HUE WHITE

ERIC LAWHORN

NOAH WINOLD

*These students also completed a certified program at the Greene County Career Center † Three-year graduate

° International exchange student

The responses and photos in this publication were compiled with the generous assistance of E l i z a b e t h L u t z , D a v e S m i t h , D o n n a H a l l e r a n d R o n B o l e n d e r.

The Yellow Springs News is pleased to honor the Yellow Springs High School CLASS OF 2014 with this special section.

It is made possible by the sponsorship of the businesses and organizations listed throughout.

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I am very grateful to the town, the school, my teachers and my family for all their help and support. I am going to be spending my next academic year abroad in Brussels, Belgium.

Then I plan on attending college in the �eld of business or science.

BRIANNA AYERS PARENT/GUARDIAN:

CHRISTINA BREWER Vicci Ayers

Graduating high school is bittersweet. Separating from the people I’ve known for most of my life will be sad, but I am thankful to them for being the highlight of all my years.

I will be attending college in the fall.

Although I’m still deciding on where I will be going, I’m excited for what’s next.

VIVIAN BARBIAN (No response given) ARIANA BATEMAN (No response given)

PARENT/GUARDIAN:

TAYLOR BECK PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

Clark Beck

Deirdre Beck and

Yellow Springs High School is a welcoming, thriving and unique environment inside a village that matches its traits. I have been fortunate enough to be surrounded by students that want to succeed in both high school and college. I am looking forward to attending the University of Cincinnati in the fall.

MORGAN BEARD Don Beard, Avamir Nasoff, Christine Monroe-Beard

PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

I have lived in Yellow Springs all of my life and I honestly don’t think there is a better place to raise a child.

O U R ADOPTION LINK ANTIOCH COLLEGE

Jane Brewer

Unicycling at the Antioch School, “ooh”-ing and “ahh”-ing over fireworks on Gaunt Park hill, rambles in the Glen, disastrous sledding incidents, soft ser ve twists with sprinkles, night walks with friends, runs through the woods, breakfast at Nora’s and the Sunrise Cafe, bare feet in summer, late-night conversations. This is Yellow Springs to me. I have loved growing up here and YS has given me so many opportunities to learn, grow, �nd my voice, make mistakes and have fun.

The Antioch School was a wonderful experience that helped shape who I am. I attended from kindergarten to sixth grade and learned to love learning. I have wonderful memories of learning to unicycle, �nding sparkly rocks in Rock Mountain, playing capture the �ag and creating intricate sand castles with moats on Sand Hill.

I want to thank all of the teachers I had at Antioch. Jeanie, Kit, Chris, Brian and Bill, you all encouraged and inspired me to learn and grow as a student and as a child.

Some of my favorite memories of middle school include Power of the Pen. I loved creating my own short stories and listening to the others’ stories. Receiving critiques from Ms. Blake and my peers, I learned how to captivate readers with con�icted and three-dimensional characters, to create settings with descriptive imagery, to drive the plot forward

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with crisp dialogue. I could not have learned to write as well without Ms. Blake. Thank you for your passion about writing and inspiring me even when I failed.

Music has always been an important part of my life. Helen Dunham nurtured my love for music in the six years I took piano lessons with her, which I will always be grateful for. Learning violin has also been a fun experience. Thank you, Shirley Mullins, for teaching interesting and challenging music, telling me stories about composers and musicians, giving me opportunities to play for different audiences and with different groups, understanding when I’m too busy to practice for my lessons, and encouraging me to appreciate any form of music.

I have been blessed with wonderful teachers at YSHS. I want to especially recognize Mr. Smith, Ms. Simon and Ms. Holly. The enthusiasm and support and humor that you all demonstrate in your classrooms have made me love coming to school and eager for your classes.

Mama, thank you so much for everything. You push me to try in school, discuss literature with me, always listen to how my day went and inspire me with your compassion and hard work. I love you.

The cross country team has always been family to me and I loved all of the crazy shenanigans that happened this year and previous years. Vince Peters, thank you for being a wonderful coach, pushing me to work hard and buying PR sundaes. To the team, thanks for all the love and I hope next year you all have a great time.

I am grateful for so many people of this town, teachers, friends, coaches.

I want to give a shout out to all my friends, especially Rachel Meyer. I am so grateful for our crazy adventures, and I am going to miss you so much next year.

Although I have loved YS and am grateful for the wonderful experi-

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JEROME BORCHERS, LAMM’S INSURANCE

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ences, I also have advice for the community and the students of YSHS. Many are raised in this community to stand up and speak out for what they believe in. These are admirable traits that I agree with. However, sometimes this blinds us to others’ opinions and gives us the impression that we are always right. My advice: try to be compassionate in understanding others’ views and listen to both sides of the story.

I will be attending Grinnell College in the fall and majoring in English. I will miss all the wonderful people and the friendly, laid-back atmosphere of Yellow Springs, but I am excited to begin college! Good luck, everyone!

HANNAH BROWN PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

Brown

Anita and Michael

Living in Yellow Springs, I grew up surrounded by people who had dreams, goals and love. I grew up thinking the best thing in life that you could strive for was love for life, love for yourself and love for someone else.

I grew up thinking the worst thing that could happen was you not being yourself. However, I also grew up not knowing myself, not understanding who I was or even what I wanted to do with my life. But through growing up in Yellow Springs I learned about

A Special Section of the Y E L L O W S P R I N G S N E W S

myself, I understood that I won’t know who I am until I learn what I want to do. Yellow Springs has been so instrumental in making me who I am. The people in this extraordinary community have taught me so much, but no one has taught me more than my family. My parents, brother and sister have not only taught me about life, making mistakes,and being yourself, but also supported me in every decision I ever made, and have been my biggest fans. There aren’t enough words to thank them for everything they have done for me.

I also thank the Yellow Springs schools for being so incredible. My days at Mills Lawn, McKinney Middle School and Yellow Springs High School have showed me more about being a good human being than anything. Being on the volleyball team has been such an amazing experience — learning to be on a team, but also �nding one of my absolute favorite things to do, and I am happy to say even though I may not play at the collegiate level, I will never stop playing. Also, being a starting member and leader of SPIDEE, Students Promoting Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity through Education, has not only taught me what I want to do with my life, but has showed me my true passion. I can honestly say I would have never �gured out these two passions of mine if I wasn’t in a place like Yellow Springs surrounded by people who are so incredibly supportive, and push you to be your best.

The next four years of my life I will be attending Manchester University in North Manchester, Ind. I plan on majoring in peace studies and using it to help people in some way. I will continue playing volleyball in intramurals and meeting new people. And in 10 years, I hope to �nd myself either travelling, or settled down near a big city, hopefully loving myself , and loving someone who loves me, possibly working for the UN, or �ghting for human rights.

I really just want to thank everyone in Yellow Springs for impacting, in�uencing and inspiring me. I feel so grateful to have been able to grow O U R

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up in Yellow Springs. This is a truly magical place, and so are the people in it. I will always love Yellow Springs, and it will always have a special place in my heart, even when I don’t call it home.

CARTER COLLINS PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

Collins

Kris and Dave

Through my years living in Yellow Springs, I’ve learned that anyone can be friends with anyone. Next year I plan to go to Sinclair Community College and work to save up some money.

TEE TEE COLQUITT PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

Tyree Drafton Jr.

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beautiful people during my time at Yellow Springs and wouldn’t change it for the world. So as for what’s most valuable? I’d have to say the people.

I’ve made some life-long buddies here.

Next year, I plan to attend Sinclair Community College for biology, and hopefully end up a veteranarian in the long run. As for 10 years from now, I have no idea, because anything can happen between now and then. For all I know, I could become some rich comedian in L.A., dressing up as a hobo on weekends for extra money.

JK ... about the hobo part.

Shawn Pritchard and

Growing up in Yellow Springs has been a very fun experience. I love the small classes, growing up with the same people for 12 years, the teacher and student relationships, and just the overall environment. In the next couple years I plan on attending Clark State then transferring to Lourdes University.

CAYDEN DEFUSCO PARENT/GUARDIAN:

Cathleen Tong

Growing up in Yellow Springs, I’ve appreciated the level of openness and inclusiveness within the community and the schools. I hope to take that perspective with me in my future endeavors.

KIRSTEN DENMAN (No response given)

CAMARA CROSS PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

Cross

JUAN ERAZO (No response given) Sherry and Gary

My Yellow Springs experience began in the �fth grade for me. I came from Spring�eld and the atmosphere differed as if the village were on a whole different side of the world.

The people were pretty chill and, off the bat, inviting. I have met the most

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SUZANNE CROTEAU, D.O. CURRENT CUISINE

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JOSEPH FLORES PARENT/GUARDIAN:

Amanda Fenner

Being at Yellow Springs High School has been a great experience in my life. I say this because of the friends I’ve made while attending Yellow Springs. And where I came from before, they treated me differently because of my religion. At Yellow Springs I was judged good or bad because they got to know me and did not judge me based off of false �rst impressions.

After high school I plan on working and going to Sinclair to study computer technology. In 10 years I hope to be advancing in a career I enjoy.

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Argentina on a 10-month program.

My host family are the Millers, and they have made me feel part of their family since the day I got here.

Yellow Springs High School is way dif ferent than high schools back home. Here, there’s acceptance and tolerance for those who are different, and therefore, there are more opportunities for everyone to academically succeed.

At Yellow Springs I’ve played soccer, and I’m currently playing baseball for the �rst time in my life for the high school.

My favorite classes are psychology/sociology and U.S. history. Mr. Day is the teacher of both, and I’ve learned a lot with him here.

Yellow Springs village has been like home to me, and I will never forget this experience and all the amazing people I had the luck to share it with.

estrange a kid from their peers, but being twice blessed in Yellow Springs actually seemed to have brought me closer to them. While living here my whole life, I have always been able to express myself. It has been such a comfort knowing almost everyone in the town, and this has given me a strong sense of community. I feel the support of the village every day, be it through community members mentoring me in art or cello, guiding me through the college application process, teaching me sign language or even just coming to see me in a play.

Thank you all so much for helping me cultivate a strong sense of self and showing me how we are all connected and impact each other’s lives.

My teachers at YSHS have been outstanding in their dedication to us students. I would especially like to thank Mrs. Eguaroje, Mrs. Simon and Mr. Smith for being the most amazing role models and guides for the past four years. I truly believe these people (as well as the rest of my teachers) have impacted my life in ways that go beyond the scope of the high school curriculum.

I will being attending Ohio State University this fall to study molecular and cellular biology. I hope to study abroad during my undergraduate education and maybe learn another language. I would like to pursue a career in the medical �eld. I �nd both surgery and genetics fascinating, so who knows where I might end up?

Thank you for everything, YS.

BEN GREEN PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

Cheryl Levine

Stephen Green and

From a very young age, I knew I was awesome. I knew I rocked the Tinker Bell costume at Shelley’s, I knew I was a hell of a princess and knitter at the Antioch School and I knew I was unmatched at hair braiding in middle school. In other towns, being gay and Jewish may FRANCISCO COMALERAS GELMI PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

Miller

Kim and David

I came to Yellow Springs in August of 2013 as an exchange student from O U R CRAIG MESURE, C O L D W E L L B A N K E R H E R I T A G E R E A LT O R S

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NAOMI GUTH PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

Brown

Eric and Martha

Unicycling, creative writing, Power of the Pen, music, singing, theater, school forest, slam poetry, tutoring, teaching, long walks, good friends, experiences that I couldn’t replicate anywhere else. My time living and growing up in Yellow Springs taught me, above everything, to dream big.

Try out things you haven’t thought about doing before! Stretch your limits! Dip your toe into the pool to test the waters, even if you know it’s going to be cold.

It’s been terrifying going through the motions of middle school and high school — I’ve hated it and loved it. I hated it for all the normal “teenager” reasons, but mood swings and adolescent angst can explain the majority of my bad feelings. However, the pros far outweighed the cons in retrospect. Through writing and music, Beethoven and slam poetry, I found my voice in high school. My love for the arts grew from my freshman to senior year and inspired me to pursue the arts for the rest of my life. Next year, I intend to attend University of Cincinnati for cello performance, and chase the poor musician’s life. Hopefully, 10 years from now, I will have my Masters in music and will be playing in a professional symphony, living in the mountains and loving on a couple of dogs.

As for those I need to thank for my high school experience, several

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come to mind. Thank you, Ms. Blake, for coaching me and inspiring me in Power of the Pen. Thank you, Mr. Smith, for listening when no one else would and sharing the wonders of the little prince. Last but not least, thank you family, Martha, Eric, Mina and Rowan, for loving me, caring for me and pushing me to strive for my best self. For all the teachers I did not list, thank you for giving me an education that I’ll treasure.

“Recommend to your children virtues, that alone can make them happy, not gold.”

—Ludwig van Beethoven

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Inter national Baccalaureate Program. As challenging as the classes are, I would never have been able to keep up with them without �rst being taught through the Yellow Springs educational system. Growing up here has given me the ability to be adaptable and excited about everything.

Though I don’t know where I’m attending yet, I’m planning on majoring in theater and minoring in journalism so I’m not totally unemployable. My 10-year check-list includes a term in the Peace Corps, a published novel, an MFA in acting (and hopefully a job in it, too) and a mastery of aerial contortion, just in case the circus starts calling my name.

KENNEDY HARSHAW

PARENT/GUARDIAN:

Liz Hale

Growing up in Yellow Springs has given me the opportunity to accept many things that I might not have had the chance to appreciate anywhere else. Where else would hiking in the Glen, loitering in one coffee shop after the next and walking the circumference of two major streets before loitering in the laundromat into the wee hours of the morning be considered a productive day? Where else would I be able to claim such an eclectic center of fashion as my home town? What other schools would allow students to express their freedom of speech through intelligent, organized protests before lunch?

The last two years of high school, I transferred to a new (much larger) school in order to participate in the

DEBORAH HALL PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

Mary Hall

Charles Z. Hall and

I moved to Yellow Springs in 2008.

I loved the town and people. I started going to the Greene County Career Center in 2012, and I’m in the culinar y arts program. It has been a great two years of my life, and I got to meet a lot of awesome people. My plans after I graudate will be going to Wright State University in the fall of 2014 for a major in music and a minor in psychology. I can’t wait to start!

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CAMERON HENDERSON

Stephanie HarshawButler, Kaner Butler, William Pearson

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Linda and Carl

PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

I like how small the Yellow Springs community is. My whole family went to YSHS and going here feels like home. I grew up coming to basketball open gyms run by my dad, and basketball, football and soccer games my brothers were in.

I want to thank my teachers and coaches, especially my coaches Mr. Gudgel, Mr. Hatert and Coach Barga.

I found a passion of mine while at YSHS and that is volleyball. I plan to play volleyball in college. Even though basketball is not my passion, playing for Coach Barga taught me valuable life lessons, like responsibility and giving 100 percent. I honestly became a better person while he and Mr. Hatert were coaching me.

Most valuable to me is that if I was struggling I could always �nd help in Yellow Springs High School. I would like to see the amount of spirit our school has go up and more community members come to games and support YSHS. In the next couple of years I plan to go to Wilmington College and study physical therapy. In 10 years I plan to have a nice apartment and have a steady job as a PT for athletes.

I want to thank YSHS for the experiences that I will never forget, I want to thank the class of 2014 for the memories, and I want to thank my parents for helping me make this home.

Arriving here in the �fth grade, looking back I can say the community of Yellow Springs has had a signi�cant role in de�ning the young man I am today. I have learned and experienced so many things in the last eight years; the most important is what it means to have true friends and true bonds. Being from Dayton and coordinating a lifestyle based from there and the village has been at times very dif�cult, but has made the bonds I’ve formed, some with the most unlikely of people, even stronger.

Leaving, I hope to major in English literature and writing, while also participating in the ROTC program for the Air Force to get through school. In doing these things, I only hope to have meaningful experiences wherever they take me and to create even more, perhaps even stronger bonds with a few of the many people I’m soon to face out in the world.

Farewell, Yellow Springs; remember the guy with the bass in his voice.

Remember the guy with the radical waves in his head. Remember who made you laugh.

Henderson

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dents. When people think of high school, they think of a gossiping, drama-�lled cesspool, but YSHS was never like that. I mean, sure, we have drama and we have gossip, but I have friends at other, bigger schools, and the comparison is astonishing.

So great job, YSHS, for keeping the drama down! Thank you for a great high school experience, and I hope to see my classmates again eventually.

SHANE HERBST PARENT/GUARDIAN:

Tanya Herbst

REED HUSTON (No response given)

EIZO LANG-EZEKIEL PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

Yellow Springs is a good small town to grow up in. My plans for the next couple of years are to get into a shop and work on cars, because that’s what I love to do.

MAEVE KORKAN-LAUGHLIN

ZAK KIMMET Ryan Kimmet and Tanya Ellenburg-Kimmet

PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

SAM HOLMAN-SMITH (No response given)

PA R E N T S : Pegeen Laughlin, Kim Korkan Yellow Springs was the per fect place for me to grow up in. The community shaped me into who I am today and I’m eternally grateful. I plan on attending Ohio University this fall, and from there decide what I want to do for the rest of my life!

My name is Zachary Kimmet, and I am in the class of 2014! My experience at Yellow Springs High School was a ver y positive one. I’m ver y excited to move onto a college lifestyle, but there are some charms that I will miss from YSHS. I enjoyed the track and �eld team my senior year. I will always regret not joining sooner. I enjoyed all of the teachers at YSHS. I liked how you could talk with them informally about anything and you are always met with a delighted response. YSHS always had a really good atmosphere between the teachers and the stu-

O U R GREENE COUNTY CAREER CENTER

Judith Ezekiel

When I graduate, I will have spent a total of four years in Yellow Springs.

I �rst moved here from France in 2007 with my mother and sister. The whole community was astonishongly welcoming and I will always be grateful for that.

After my �rst week at Mills Lawn, I asked my mom, “Why is paradise free here, when in France we have to pay (I was in a semi-private school) to go to hell?” My �rst teacher, Mr. Trumble, was unlike any I had ever had — he was fun, friendly and he made the transition easy and enjoyable. I had been nervous, but the students and teachers welcomed me, especially my sixth grade teacher, Ms. Pettiford. For middle school, I returned to France, but I came back for my freshman and junior/senior years at YSHS, which proved just as enjoyable as elementary school. So many teachers there helped me grow, especially Kathy Burkland. All of my positive experiences in the Yellow Springs school system have had a huge impact on my life, because I am now planning on going to college in the United States, which I had not considered before living here.

Soccer in Yellow Springs also had a great in�uence on me. In France I had only played at recess with friends, but upon my arrival here, I joined the

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YELLOW SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL

CLASS OF 2014

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local team, FC Springs. The coach, Jim Hardman, made me the player I am today and I am thankful to have played for him. Overall, growing up in Yellow Springs has been truly amazing.

ERIC LAWHORN (No response given)

TONY LEWIS PARENTS:

SIERRA LAWRENCE PARENT/GUARDIAN:

Celia Prether

My experience growing up in Yellow Springs is dif ferent than most. I started here my sophomore year, but my whole life I have been around the Yellow Springs culture.

My mom’s side of the family was born and raised in Yellow Springs. My mom graduated from YS, so I wanted to follow her footsteps. I transferred here from Catholic Central and it was the best choice of my life. I’ve had so much fun these past three years here, between hanging out with friends and playing sports that I love with the coaches that helped me so much, most of all Coach Jim and Coach Shay.

I grew academically and socially as a person when I came here and I’m so glad I have the teachers and students in my life; I wouldn’t change a thing.

Yellow Springs has set up a great path ahead of me and I hope this continues when I attend college in the fall at Wilmington.

Bev Wilson, Duane Lewis

Yellow Springs has shaped the person I am today. Growing up in a town that has a culture that is accepting and supportive of artistic expression gave me the security I needed to properly grow and just live my life on a day-to-day basis. I will never forget the times I spent with friends running around town on the weekends and hanging out in the Glen after school everyday.

JESSICA LIVEZEY PARENT/GUARDIAN:

Deb Spencer

My Yellow Springs High School experience. Hmm. What can I say?

The experience taught me a lot about people. This school taught me how to accept and befriend new types of people, how to blend with all the differences they have to bring to the table.

I had a lot of wonderful friends in seventh and eighth grade. Then I met new people the summer after eighth grade. I started focusing on other things and academics slipped to the bottom of the barrel. I got into some trouble freshman year. My family saw me as a monster. I turned to friends,

ZOEY McKINLEY PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

McKinley

Doug and Rachel

Growing up in Yellow Springs has generally been a very positive experience. Yellow Springs taught me to stand up for my ideas. The community feels safe and accessible.

Because I was able to ride my bike to the Riding Centre, I was allowed to get a horse in the sixth grade. The

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then lies were spread about me which caused me to lose them. This resulted in a combination of rebellion and not thinking. I was expelled the last 10 weeks of my freshman school year.

I came back the next year with only two and a half credits. I needed 21 credits in order to graduate. This knowledge of being behind all of my classmates did not motivate me. I was completely apathetic. I was forced to attend different summer schools all three summers in my high school years in order to catch up.

I came back junior year with a new view on school. I began to read. Then I began to read more and more to the point of three books a week. I started participating more in class.

I worked up the courage to read out loud in class despite my dyslexia and difficulty with fluency. My grades began to go up, and I liked the feeling of accomplishment. I joined student review board. I turned a bad experience into a good one, and that might be the best lesson I’ve learned.

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Riding Centre people and my horse have taught me so much! They have taught me patience, perseverance and a myriad of life lessons. Many of my happiest memories are centered around the Riding Centre.

In school, Ms. Reynolds and Ms. Holly inspired me in math and I plan to pursue engineering. Like most incoming college students, only time will tell where I am in 10 years. I might be well on my way to becoming a neurosurgeon, or working as a biomedical or environmental engineer or doing something relevant.

What about the schools would I like to see changed? The new project-based learning (PBL) system unfortunately made the class of 2014 collateral damage in the battle to �gure out how to teach through this new educational model. I would like to see PBL succeed for the sake of the younger classes, but I am not convinced it will.

One of the problems is that the projects are art intensive, despite the class subject. For some students, this is a good way to learn, despite its often narrow focus. For other students, it can be frustrating. In high school, it’s important for students to be offered a complete, broad and academically challenging curriculum so they are prepared for college. I am not convinced PBL can achieve that for some students.

In order to succeed, YS schools need to invest in technology and materials to perform the projects properly and ef�ciently. Money was spent to have PBL representatives visit Yellow Springs and its schools, to educate administrators, staff and students on the bene�ts and structure of PBL. I question why they spent money designated for PBL to send two students and many teachers to a model charter school within a San Diego school district. Perhaps

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we could have invested less money in educating and selling the program and more on needed equipment and materials.

The projects took time away from broad-based learning. Much of the curriculum for college-bound students was missing. Luckily, for my senior year, most of my classes were at Wright State (through PSEO), which I have really enjoyed.

My �nal suggestion for the schools would be to have student surveys.

This would allow the students to evaluate and provide feedback on what works and what doesn’t.

HAFIZ “THE BEAST” MENSAH PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

and Jim Orme

Naomi Ewald-Orme

My name is Hafiz Hammond Mensah. I am 17 years of age and I am from Ghana. I came here in 2013 as an exchange student through the “YES” program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State in order to learn, share my culture and have a wonderful exchange year and experience here. I actually chose Yellow Springs because of its hospitality and the unity the people share and possess within them. Indeed, when I came, I was gracefully welcomed by

A Special Section of the YEllow Springs News

this great community.

Having been here for a year has been the best experience ever in my life, a wonderful and unforgettable experience for me. I have gotten to learn so much living here. Yellow Springs empowers you to your true identity, brings the best out and shapes you well for you to be ready for the future.

I love the way people in Yellow Springs tend to respect, love, care and be each other’s keeper and also live in harmony. They have trusted me nicely and showed me love as their own. One of the most important things I also love about Yellow Springs is the way they embrace education and sports all together. They have passion for these two things and that made my experience the best.

I also love the education system in Yellow Springs; the way the teachers have time for students, communication between them is fantastic, just understanding and great.

I love soccer and, due to the support that this lovely community, school, friends, teachers and host family have shown me, I am being recruited by Wittenberg University to play there.

Also, I intend to major in �nance. I also intend to invite people to Ghana, starting with my host family, teachers and friends.

I therefore give big thanks to my host family, authorities and staff of Yellow Springs schools, teachers, friends and, most of all, the community, for taking me and treating me as your own. Thank you so much.

O U R VILLAGE AUTOMOTIVE

RACHEL ZENDLOVITZ MEYER PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

Debra Zendlovitz

Cheryl Meyer and

I never thought I would be a senior.

It’s not that I thought I would �unk out or die or anything, it was just hard to imagine it all coming to an end and striking out on my own when I could not even drive. Even when I was old enough to buy my �rst lottery ticket, it was still hard to believe that I would eventually graduate. It is difficult to summarize most of a lifetime of experiences and thank all the people that should be recognized in a few paragraphs. At least I have had some practice with my college applications.

I’ll start with the most recent. The greatest realization I have had this past year is that I really, really do care about my school and my community. I think Yellow Springs and our schools have potential to be elevated from great to fantastic if the dedication to traveling the path continues and all members of the community really listen to one another. The time has come to good-naturedly accept weaknesses, because they offer a starting point for a better future. I am so excited to enter this new stage of my life, but sorry that I will not be here to play my part in making Yellow Springs an even grander place to be. I have become who I am here because I have been given the space. For that, I am grateful.

In terms of PBL, the most important aspect of YSHS, for me, was that it offered a broad-based education.

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If PBL is going to take away this broad-based education by making it impossible to cover the breadth I was exposed to in high school, then I believe it should �nd a place in select classes, but otherwise be abandoned.

This way students have opportunities to explore breadth and depth and learn the way that works best for them. It is early, but from my experiences so far I believe this might be the best path to take.

I need to thank my parents most of all for making me think about the world around me, for being there when I needed it most (and also when I did not), and for doing their best to let me go. Of course, my sister comes next, one of the funnest, most beautiful people I know. Thanks for sharing the laughs and trading insults back and forth until the end of time, for letting me read to you and for making up a good 50 percent of my reference photos. I have some of the best friends I could imagine. They are wonderful and intelligent people whom I am honored to know. There are so many others to thank. All of those who have taken the time to listen to me, to look at my art, to watch me swim, to read my paper ... If I have the positive impact so many have had on my life on even just one person, I will feel truly accomplished.

The big question, what is to become of me? College �rst. This fall, I will begin my journey as a �rst year at Macalester College, a small liberal arts school in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Right now I plan to double major in studio art and maybe theater or voice or women’s studies or ... After that, graduate school, I’d wager. Currently I have my eyes set on Rhode Island School of Design in Providence. I do not know where I will be in �ve or 10 years. I don’t want to close doors by limiting my imagination. I �nd it hard to imagine a future where I would not swim. I plan to see the world and when I �nd myself in a stable family situation, share my life with children.

One of the greatest lessons I have learned is that sometimes the impossible is possible if there is enough

S P O N S O R S VILLAGE BP

K E I T H A . W AT S O N , M . D .

YELLOW SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL

CLASS OF 2014

dedication and passion. The drive to be passionate and dedicated comes from self, family and community.

Thank you.

JIMMY MILLER PARENT/GUARDIAN:

Terry Miller

Growing up in Yellow Springs has been a good experience with friendly people. My plan after I graduate is to start a military career.

NICHOLAS MILLER-JACOBSON PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

Hans Jacobson

Lauren Miller and

My involvement with Miami Township Fire-Rescue (MTFR) has been the most valuable and rewarding experience of my life so far. I believe that my greatest learning has taken

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place outside of school. I started with MTFR the summer after my sixth-grade year, and am now a full member. The learning that I have gained has deeply affected me in every way imaginable. I would have never become the young man I am today without this experience, nor would I have chosen a career in the medical �eld. My life would be so different without these many wonderful opportunities I have gained; it has completely steered the direction my life has taken. In terms of my friendships with my classmates, I have found I am more serious about life and perhaps have a harder time goo�ng off than many. What I have, though, is meaningful friendships with people who have my back and I have theirs, and for this I am very grateful. In some ways, this means I have missed out on a more carefree teenage existence and greater time with my classmates. Occasionally, I have regretted this, but time will tell.

I have also enjoyed playing varsity tennis for four years and watching the team change. This year has been the best yet and I am very appreciative to Donna Silvert, our head coach, for her unrelenting dedication.

If I could change anything at YSHS, I would give students a choice between the senior project and additional (meaningful) community service hours. I am very thankful for the opportunity to take PSEO courses at nearby colleges instead of regular high school classes. I have also been able to take my EMT (emergency medical training) during the second semester and valued the �exibility and independence of this option.

I plan go to college at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, where I plan to study pre-med as I intend to have a career in the health care �eld; possibly as a physician’s assistant. In 10 years, I hope to have �nished my education and training and be employed in a career �eld brings me joy with the quality of life that I desire. I want to be doing work that matters and that contributes to the well being of others.

O U R JAIMIE WILKE, HOLISTIC MASSAGE

Mullin

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NKOSI NGQAKAYI

MAX MULLIN PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

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PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

Paul and Caroline

Temba Ngqakayi

I believe that Yellow Springs is the best town I could have grown up in.

What other town is so close to three parks, has two great elementar y schools (one private and one public) and has a high school with such great teachers?

I attended the Antioch School, which was amazing for me, with such understanding and patient teachers.

I was a late reader and Kit Crawford, Jeanie Felker and Chris Powell really helped me with one-on-one work to get me up to speed by the time I was going to middle school. Brian Brogan also helped me to discover my love of engineering. I would like to say that it was constructive learning, but I took apart too many circuit boards for that to be true.

As I progressed through high school, I learned about the magic of science in physics and chemistry with Mr. Collins and Mr. Lowry. I now plan to go to Ohio University for a computer engineering degree and possibly a minor in physics. Then I plan to earn a master’s in education.

I would love to teach right back here in Yellow Springs, but I think I will be happy teaching anywhere.

Terry Whorton and

It was great. I found YSHS to be a ver y positive experience. It was very valuable to me and it taught me responsibility and character. I would like to see a change in the cafeteria food and I would like to see more after-school programs. My plan over the next couple of years is either to work straight out of high school or go to college. I will �nd new things and new opportunities in the long run.

RACHELE ORME PARENTS/ GUARDIANS:

and Jim Orme

Naomi Ewald-Orme

I grew up in Yellow Springs and had a great experience. Next year I am going to Savannah State University on a golf scholarship. I want to thank my family for all of their support

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THE WINDS CAFE

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YELLOW SPRINGS BOARD O F E D U C AT I O N

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Ye l l o w S p r i n g s H i g h S c h o o l

C L A S S OF 2014

throughout my high school years.

Shout out to my friends and family, especially Greg and the cool cats!

TATIANNA PECKHAM (No response given)

ANNDEE PETTIFORD PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

Pettiford

Jody and Anthony

I have lived in Yellow Springs my entire life and I have had the privilege of having the loving support of my friends and family. Growing up in Yellow Springs has given me many opportunities to express myself as an individual, as well as help my community. During my time in Yellow Springs schools, I have taken on leadership roles and found ways to give back to my community. I was a founding member of SPIDEE (Students Promoting Inclusion Diversity Equity Education) and have also had the opportunity to be involved with the Students Facilitators, the 365 Project, cross country and track and �eld. As Archimedes said, “Give me a place to stand and I will move the world.” I feel that Yellow Springs has given me that place to stand.

This fall I will be attending Wright State University to study political science. While a student at Wright State, I will also be participating in their Army Reser ve Of ficers’ Training program. My plans for the next four years and beyond are to hopefully go to law school after college, shut down SeaWorld, marry a Kennedy,

A Special Section of the YEllow Springs News

and become the �rst woman of color to be Attorney General of the United States. No matter what I’m doing, I will always be helping my community, state, country and people.

I want to thank my two amazing parents, Jody and Anthony Pettiford, for giving me their love and support and for always believing in me, no matter what I attempted to do. I want to send a “shout out” to my two brothers, Anthony and Addison, who have always protected me, included me, and have been my superheroes.

To my wonder ful grandparents, all of them, no matter where they are, thanks for always �nding the time to care for me, love me and for making me feel special. Also, to my 20 exceptional cousins, they have been my inspiration and have given me unconditional love, support and understanding. And to my amazing aunts and uncles, a heartfelt thanks for driving across the country or all over creation, just to come see me, to give me advice, to make sure that I succeed. I also want to acknowledge the passionate teachers who never gave up on me, Pam Conine, Aurelia Blake, Jack Hatert, and Cameron McCoy ... thank you all so very much, I hope to make you proud. I also want to thank my dedicated coaches, who spent so much of their time to help me improve, John Gudgel, Peter and Isabelle Dierauer and Vince Peters, you all are the best!

I want to bring change to this world, I want to make it a better place. Drawing from my education, the teachings from my parents, the motivation from my family, and all my other inspirations, I will try to use it for good. As the late Robert F. Kennedy said, “Few will have the greatness to bend history itself, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events. It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped.”

O U R YELLOW SPRINGS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

OLIVIA RAMAGE (No response given)

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ERIC REIMERS

“B****, real g’s move in silence, like lasagna.” — Lil Wayne

GRANT REIGELSPERGER PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

Brad Reigelsperger

Jenny Alexander and

Growing up in Yellow Springs, I’ve learned that you should be yourself, because ever yone else is already taken. Next year I will be attending the University of Cincinnati to study marketing. In 10 years I see myself settling down with a loved one while being a successful sales representative.

AARON REPORTER-HARSHAW PARENT/GUARDIAN:

Shernaz Reporter

I had a pretty good experience at Yellow Springs.

The small town made it easy to get to know people so I had a good list of friends. High school was a time of growth for me and I was able to discover myself as a person. I met an inseparable group of friends here that helped me become who I am today.

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YELLOW SPRINGS CHIROPRACTIC

YELLOW SPRINGS COMMUNITY CHILDREN’S CENTER

YELLOW SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL

CLASS OF 2014

MYCHAEL ROBERTS Jacqueline WaggonerRoberts and William Roberts

PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

I am very grateful to have grown up in Yellow Springs. I moved here in kindergarten and am so glad I did because it has been such a great experience living in this town. Living here has taught me so much, like how to be my personal best. There is so much encouragement in this community that has helped me become the person I am.

Yellow Springs schools have really prepared me for the next big step in my life. The teachers here are some of the best and the connection the students have with them is such an amazing thing. I’m thankful for many of the teachers in our school that helped push me to be con�dent and reach my goals, especially Mrs. Eguaroje and Ms. Burkland. I have grown up with many of the people from our school and I’m so thankful to be close to everyone and the life-long friendships I have made.

I will be attending Wright State University in the fall with a tuition free scholarship for the �rst year, and then transferring my sophomore year and moving to Lexington, Kentucky to attend the University of Kentucky.

I want to thank my lovely family, my great friends, especially the Cool Cats, and all of the wonderful people in my life that have always been there for support, love and always making me smile. We are the kings and queens of 2014!

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SAM SALAZAR PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

Chris Salazar

SHARDÉ SCOTT Kristin Bottelier,

PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

Cobbs

winding up in the gusts of lagoons, spring is here, the end is near, the ebbing suspension down in the dunk tanks of dreams, pressings of vestigial rays, in green glen waters, a sun came when it said it would, bending into burrows of thick nettle clay knotted in combs, little branches, muddy bricks, eternal roots waking up to stretch in visions of distant lovers, visions of green mountains who am I helping, what am I breaking, what am I giving, what am I taking,

O U R YELLOW SPRINGS COUNTRY B E D & B R E A K FA S T

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JACOB SMITH Danita Scott, Carole

My name is Shardé Scott and I have lived in Yellow Springs all my life.

However, my school experience was somewhat different. I started out at Antioch School for two years, then went to Mills Lawn where I graduated from sixth grade. Next, I attended McKinney Middle School and ninth grade at YSHS, then STEM school for two years, and �nally, Greene County Career Center’s Health Science Academy program.

Along the way, I have had many people who have helped me. I am thankful to all the teachers and staff at Mills Lawn, especially Mrs. Winks, Mrs. Pettiford and Mr. Hatert. At the high school I would like to thank Mr. Gudgel, who is my role model, Ms. Burkland and Ms. Haller.

My plans are to complete my health science program at Greene CCC and either attend Sinclair College’s nursing program and continue at Wright State University, or enroll in the fouryear nursing program at Kettering.

My ultimate goal is to continue in the medical �eld and receive my degree as a nurse anesthetist.

PARENT/GUARDIAN:

Ricky Smith

Growing up in Yellow Springs, I have learned a lot and have had many good experiences. I feel that living here has made me grow physically and spiritually.

JULIA TARPEY (No response given) LINDSEY WARD PARENT/GUARDIAN:

Mark Ward

My experience going to school in Yellow Springs has made me feel like I have grown up to be more social since the classes are small and we have more discussion than most schools. The most meaningful thing about growing up through the Yellow Springs school system is the relationships I have had with my classmates.

The friendships you have with the people in your class are so valuable because everyone is so close. The school and classes as a whole are so small you get to have a better relationship with your teacher. After I graduate I plan on studying physical therapy at Wright State University. I hope what I have learned in Yellow Springs will follow me throughout my life.

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Y E L L O W S P R I N G S L I B R A R Y A S S O C I AT I O N

Y E L L O W S P R I N G S P O L I C E D E P T.

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C L A S S OF 2014

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new cultures. I’m thankful to have had that opportunity at YSHS. In particular, I owe a deep gratitude to the inspirational Dave Smith, who put me at ease from day one and also to Elizabeth Simon and John Day, both of whom have been so engaging and welcoming to me during my time here, and whom I hope will remain friends in the future.

My plans for the immediate future include attending Ohio University’s School of Theater, on a fine arts scholarship. I hope to continue traveling and to study abroad.

JOSHUA WEIS (No response given)

TABEA WEGERS (No response given)

HUE WHITE PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

Snyder

IVY WELSH PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

EVIE WEIR PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

David Roche

Emma Weir and

As I did not grow up in Yellow Springs, my experience living here tells a different stor y than most.

When I relocated from Ireland my junior year, I really didn’t know what to expect from a small village in Ohio, but I quickly discovered that moving to an unfamiliar place gives you the opportunity to learn, explore and experience interesting people and

Welsh

Robert and Leslie

I am beyond grateful that I grew up in Yellow Springs, but I am beyond ready to leave — and luckily I am! I will be attending West Virginia University this fall, and I plan to major in art history. Long live the Cool Cats!

O U R YS PSYCHOLOGICAL CENTER, AÏDA MERHEMIC & BOB BARCUS

NOAH WINOLD Pat White and Doug

I came to America from Vietnam when I was only 6 years old. I began my education at the Antioch School, and it was a great way to start. Following my sixth grade graduation, going to McKinney seemed like a big change, but I liked it and adapted quickly. I particularly enjoyed working with Ms. Conine. High school proved to be another positive step up. I want to give a “big thank” you to Mr. Johnston for helping me through my high school experience and helping me with my next steps in life.

A very special thank you to Donna Haller who was �rst my tutor, then a high school teacher, but most of all, a friend. Following high school, I want to work toward being a fashion designer and keep following my dreams.

PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

Thomas Stewart

Claire Winold and

Yellow Springs is not the only place I’ve lived, but it is the nicest. I love the way the town looks and I love how nice everyone is. Even though I don’t go out or talk to people very often, I can still feel the warmth of our community.

I will be attending Vassar and hope to go to law school afterward.

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YOUNG’S JERSEY DAIRY

YSI, A XYLEM BRAND