2015 YSHS Senior Supplement

YSHS 2015 A S P E C I A L S E C T I O N O F T H E Y E L L O W S P R I N G S N E W S , M AY 2 1 , 2 015

CLASS OF

COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES will be held Thursday, May 28, 7 p.m., in the high school gym.

ALEXANDRA BASS*

FIELDING LEWIS

DYLAN BOCZAR

MICAH LINDSEY

DAVID BUTCHER

ISABELLA “IZZY” LONG

SAMUEL BUTLER

PETRINA “RINA” MAC-LAMPTEY°

MODJESKA CHAVEZ IAN CHICK AZSA COLEMAN* LOUIS LOUISA COLLINS SAMUEL CRAWFORD LIAM CREIGHTON KALONJI CROSS KARA EDWARDS MICHAEL GENTILE CONNOR GRAVLEYNOVELLO

MOLLYE MALONE HYPATIA MCLELLAN COLE McNEAL-HARDING CAMERON MILES MAR’RIA MILEY NATHAN MILLER NADIA MULHALL GAGNESSIRY “GIGI” NIANG° THERON ORME MADELEINE RAMAGE*

EVELYN GREENE*

EMMA ROMOHR

MADISON GUETH*

KAILA RUSSELL

RACHEL HAMMOND

JARED SCARFPIN

TIA HERBST*

JEREMIAH SCOTT

CHELSEA HORTON BENJAMIN IHRIG SARAH JAKO EDWARD JOHNSON TAYLOR JOLLIFFE-HAAS ALEX KELLOGG ASHLEI KELLY ANNA KNIPPLING ALEXANDER KRAUS JENNIFER LAWSON

JOSHUA SEITZ ANDI SORIANO GARCIA° LOUIS “ALEX” STROLGER LIAM WEIGAND JOSHUA WEIS* BRYCE WHITE ANNA WILLIAMSON† JESSICA WORSHAM BLAZE WRIGHT SHANICE WRIGHT

*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 Julie Lorenzo, Dave Smith, Donna Haller and Ron Bolender.

The Yellow Springs News is pleased to honor the Yellow Springs High School CLASS OF 2015 with this special section.

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

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Yellow Springs High School

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ALEXANDRA BASS No response submitted.

DYLAN BOCZAR PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

Paul Boczar,

Regan Parker Let me tell you a story.

In second grade my friend Morgan and I were doing state reports. I had Virginia, he Ohio, and we happened upon the fact that both states had the same state bird, the cardinal. Intrigued, we dug deeper. We researched, we pursued our muses, and four years later we returned to Yellow Springs, wear y but triumphant, 48 state birds painstakingly captured on our cross-country multiyear safari. Now, you may be thinking “Dylan, that’s ridiculous! No secondgraders have the funds for such an expedition!” But here the beauty of Yellow Springs shines through. For in this town, kids are encouraged, driven to pursue their own lofty goals, to live to their fullest potential. Sure, our parents were skeptical at �rst, but when we laid forth our detailed plans, our budgeting for ATV fuel and provisions, nets and bait, our expected route and our promise to remain in the continental U.S., they were thrilled to support our endeavor.

We raised funding through the usual ways: bake sales, door-to-door donations, petty theft. When the time �nally came for us to set off, the whole town came out to see us paddle away down the river emerging from the mouth of our beloved Springs, our ATVs waiting for us in the chopper overhead. After four years and 3,267

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miles of travel (most of it on foot, as most of our ATV fund was used to pay off native squirrels) we returned, lugging on our backs 48 occupied cages, six of which contained cardinals. Our project thus completed, to this day I maintain that we set the standard by which all other project-based learning must be measured. (On a side note, what happened to the chopper and the rafts is another stor y all together).

In the future, I hope to once again undergo some momentous undertaking. I have not hit my peak; far from it! I know not what yet I will do, be it sub-sea psychology, asteroid mining supervisor or animal repair therapist, but it will be fantastic, and I have this wonderful, whimsical town to thank for giving me the guts to dream big.

So thank you, Yellow Springs. Keep an ear open; in 10 years’ time you’ll be watching the news, and you just might hear my story.

May 21, 2015

Kara and Modjeska and everyone.

I’m going to miss the teachers too.

Mr. Jackson and Mr. Smith and the rest. Good people. I haven’t had a bad teacher in this school system.

I guess I should talk about my future plans. I’m going to be an astronaut. I’m not kidding. I want to go to space. I want to study astronomy at Ohio Wesleyan and eventually get my Ph.D. This isn’t a joke. I know it sounds like a joke, but it’s not. All I want is to go to space. But I guess if that doesn’t work out, I’ll just become a cowboy.

I’d like to thank my parents, Susan and Curtis Butler, for always being there for me, and my brother and sister, James and Morgan, for the same reason. My whole extended family is very close, so I better thank them, too. They know who they are.

I know I’ve already mentioned them, but I’d like to thank my friends for making the past few years so memorable. I’m excited about the future.

I don’t know how it’s going to play out, but I’m ready for a change. I’m nervous, but it’s about to be sweet. So long, everybody.

SAMUEL BUTLER Curtis and Susan Butler Alright, here we go. Yellow Springs is a fantastic place to grow up. I’m glad to have had the childhood I did. Here are a few things about me: I really like pizza. Pizza is my favorite food. I talk about it all the time. My favorite movie of all time is “West Side Story.”

I recently found out about Natalie Wood’s death. Tragic.

My best friends in the world are Jeremiah Scott and Blaze Wright.

I’m with them all the time. I’m going to miss them. But not just them. I’ve made so many friends worth mentioning. There’s Keanan and Jesse and Morgan Beard and Mollye and PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

DAVID BUTCHER Norma Tallent and Patrick Butcher While I didn’t grow up in Yellow Springs, I spent the entirety of my high school career here. Yellow Springs was a place that I was able to grow in. It has given me countless opportunities from going to High Tech High in San Diego, talking to senators, doing PSEO at Wright State and being a helping hand in initiating a entirely new curriculum that I believe will help our students for life. What I love about Yellow Springs is the sense of community; I PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

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can talk to my teachers (some of the best in Ohio) or adults in the village about anything and I know they are listening. People here care. If there is one lesson I can take away from my time here, it is to love all equally and appreciate the differences in people because there is a beauty in them.

I will be continuing my education at The Ohio State University, working towards my bachelor of arts degree in business administration and being a part of the ICE (Innovation, Creativity, Entrepreneurship) Scholars program. I hope to run my own business and stay connected to politics here in Ohio. I want to take this opportunity to thank my parents for their sacri�ces and giving me the advantages I’ve had to succeed. I would not be on the path I am today without them.

Stay weird, Yellow Springs.

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MODJESKA CHAVEZ PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

Amy Chavez,

Brady Burkett Growing up in Yellow Springs provided me with a childhood I will never forget. The friends I have here are more like family and I will miss seeing them all the time, but I know the Class of 2015 is going to do some amazing things. I have so many great stories and memories here,

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Antioch College

Antioch School Antioch University Midwest

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from playing fugitive on hot summer nights or going night sledding at Gaunt Park. I’ve had an experience that no one but a townie will understand and I feel incredibly lucky to have been able to grow up in such a supportive community. This fall I will be joining the Bobcat community at Ohio University and I couldn’t be more excited! There’s a whole world outside of Yellow Springs, and I hope it’s ready for me. Shout out to my amazing family. I love you all!

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learning in San Diego were among some of the most memorable. Yellow Springs’ diverse but small population has been an easy place for me to grow as a person. I truly have had a positive experience growing up in Yellow Springs.

Next year, I plan on attending Sewanee: The University of the South, in Tennessee, to play soccer and pursue a degree in ecology or biology and a minor in education. In 10 years, I see myself either becoming a high school biology teacher and soccer coach or exploring the world studying insects and reptiles. While I am ready for the next chapter of my life somewhere else, I undoubtedly see myself coming back to Yellow Springs.

IAN CHICK Gregory and Jody Chick I have been fortunate to live in Yellow Springs my entire life and attend Yellow Springs schools since kindergarten. During these years, I have had the pleasure of meeting an array of smart and friendly students and teachers. I have been surrounded by people who strive to contribute to the common good of this community. In Yellow Springs, opinions are heard without prejudice and a sense of community is formed by activism and engagement. I have been given in�nite opportunities to contribute and participate in and out of the classroom. I feel my experience in Yellow Springs has been unique.

Playing soccer in the Columbus Crew Stadium senior year, going to Washington D.C. with my eighth-grade class and exploring project-based PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

AZSA COLEMAN Autumn Coleman, Carole Cobbs.

Going to the Greene County Career Center was one of the best choices I made while in school. I loved taking the digital media courses and meeting new people there. I have been accepted to the Art Institute of OhioCincinnati, although I am currently still looking at other schools. I plan to major in digital media, with a focus on animation. After I graduate, I want to pursue a career in animation and create video games while working for my dream company.

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Bing Design

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LOUIS LOUISA COLLINS Kristin and David Collins I honestly am not sure what I want to write; I could say a lot of nasty, mean things about the people at YSHS, but I don’t want to do that. I could also B.S. it and say I loved high school, but I would be lying, and I’m just not feeling that at the moment.

So, here we are. I’m graduating and I have no idea how to live out in the real world. But, y’know, thank God I know the quadratic formula and I could recite the order of operations for as long as I live. Instead of teaching us advanced algebra, old poems we don’t care about and the table of elements, it would have been nice to learn basic medical care, how to do taxes, how to survive in general.

Despite all that, I do want to thank Ms. Simon for being a great ar t teacher and a friend to her students, and I want to thank Mr. Smith for helping me to pull my grades out of the gutter.

See you around, YSHS. Maybe I will come visit.

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SAMUEL CRAWFORD PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

Amy and

Mark Crawford A big “thanks!” to my teachers, mentors, tutors, instr uctors and advisors at Mills Lawn, the Antioch School, McKinney Middle School and Yellow Springs High School, for trying to knock some sense into me. Also, I’d like to thank the community as a whole, and especially Samuel Butler for his enriching presence during the composition of this piece. My favorite thing about Yellow Springs is the surrounding wilderness. During the remainder of my life I will listen, run around, work, fall asleep and try to justify my existence, among other things.

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Jerome Borchers, Lamm’s Insurance

Children’s Center After School Program

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Yellow Springs High School

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every year. My friends and I have become very close with some of them and even gone back to visit their home countries. Thank you, Yellow Springs.

Yours truly, Liam

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May 21, 2015

I’m the love that you’ve looked for, write to me, and escape.

MICHAEL GENTILE No response submitted.

LIAM CREIGHTON

EVELYN GREENE

Sean Creighton, Laura Carlson Hello, all. I would like to start off by thanking everyone who has helped and encouraged me to be successful during my years spent at Yellow Springs schools. I was born here and have been here ever since. This town is full of amazing people and, as sad as I am to leave all of you, part of me is very excited to begin a new part of my life in a new place with hopefully more than 3,500 people.

Thankfully, Yellow Springs has given me the tools to be successful.

I’d like to reach out and thank all of my teachers and coaches, but in particular I’d like to thank Kathryn Burkland, my Spanish teacher; and Dave Smith, my guidance counselor and past French teacher. Both of you have given me tremendous help, which I can’t thank you enough for. I believe everyone needs a mentor in their schooling who can encourage and support them in their studies, and in their life. With your help, and a little hard work, I am proud to say I have been accepted to four out of the four schools I applied to attend next fall. I will be attending one of the following schools, I’m just not quite sure which one yet: Denison University, The College of Wooster, University of Miami (OH) and the University of Colorado Boulder.

I also want to thank my friends. I’m lucky enough to have found such a great group of guys during my years in high school. I’ll never forget the times and memories we made. Also, I’m grateful that Yellow Springs High School brings in exchange students

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Gerry Greene No response submitted.

CONNOR GRAVLEYNOVELLO

KALONJI CROSS Sherry Cross, Garry Cross I’m happy school’s over. But wait, there’s more: college.

PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

Lori Gravley, Anthony Novello I, �rst of all, would like to thank my amazing family. They have made my high school career a little easier, and have given me every possible outlet for new experiences. Then, out of all of the fantabultastic people I have had the torture of going to high school with for four years, I would like to thank Dylan Boczar, Joshua Seitz and Gabe Day for being some really amazing friends. I would also like to thank Rachel Hammond for taking me riding and going crazy with other shenanigans. Finally, I would like to thank the admissions department of Belmont University and Roy Vogt for accepting me to their school promptly and making my senior year slightly less stressful. I would also like to thank the Academy.

Much Love, Connor PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

MADISON GUETH PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

Adam and

Vanessa Gueth “I was a smart-a**, born and raised.

This had been my curse and would continue to be so.”

—David Sedaris

KARA EDWARDS Scott Edwards and Michelle Newsome If you like piña coladas, and getting caught in the rain.

If you’re not into yoga, if you have half a brain.

If you like making love at midnight, in the dunes of the cape.

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Current Cuisine

Talitha and

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Craig Mesure, Coldwell Banker Heritage Realtors

Bambi Williams, Sam Eckenrode & Minerva Bieri, Coldwell Banker Heritage Realtors

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RACHEL HAMMOND PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

Scott and

Karen Hammond Yellow Springs has been a great place to grow up. You gain a bit of knowledge from ever yone, even just from passing on the sidewalk.

Opinions and reasoning are readily given to listening ears, and that is what prepares the youngins of Yellow Springs to go out into the world. I am ready to have adventures, but will always come back home. Listing all of the people that I would like to thank would take pages. So, thank you, Yellow Springs.

As a third grader, I remember thinking that I would never grow old enough to graduate from high school.

Even sixth grade seemed ages away.

I marveled at the big, scary seniors, who were so con�dent about their future plans. Some were going to college, some were going abroad.

Ever yone knew exactly what they were doing. Now, I understand that’s not usually the case. Now it’s my turn, and I honestly have no idea what happens next. Yes, I will be going to college, but I do not know where.

Ask me in a few months! Wherever I end up, I hope to be happy, cantering around on horses and surrounded by the people I love. And if that happens to take place at Downton Abbey or Buckingham Palace, I won’t complain.

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TIA HERBST Tonya Herbst I am glad I came to the Career Center. I got way better grades than I would have at Yellow Springs High School. I would like to continue working in the auto collision �eld and do custom work and own my own shop one day. I want to get out of Yellow Springs and start my life road.

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I love to do. I will be playing for the Clark State softball team with one of my fellow seniors and best friends, Jessica Worsham.

I would like to thank my family for always supporting me and my decisions. My mom and sister have been there for me since day one. My Nana is one of my biggest fans, and I am one of hers as well. My “Duncle” came into my life and has changed it for the better. I know I can always count on all of you. I would also like to thank my teachers for feeding me so much knowledge, even when I didn’t necessarily want it. Shout out to Mama Eguaroje and Mr. Comstock for treating me as if I were one of their own, and to Palmer for not only being someone I can look up to, but for also being a friend. I love you guys! I love you YS!

BENJAMIN IHRIG Barbara Sanborn and Ed Ihrig 010010101001011010111010110110 10110110101110110111101010111011 11011000101011010110101110110011 01010101010000001011101101110110 10101100110101001010101010101001 10000001010100010100101010011101 10111010110001010101010011011001 01101001110110110110101100010101 11011010110100101010111110101011 01010101010101111110110000110101 0101110010000111101101010100.

If you know what I mean.

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CHELSEA HORTON Jerry and Lesley Horton I have lived in Yellow Springs my whole life. This town has brought me many joyful memories, and has taught me many tough lessons. If it wasn’t for the people here I would not be the person I am today. Next year I will be attending Clark State. I will be going in undecided because there are so many things that I am interested in, and that

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SARAH JAKO Jane Jako Stepping into YSHS on my �rst day, as a freshman, was intimidating. Most of the kids knew each other since they were in pre-school. Walking from class to class with my mom during open house was nerve-racking, until I stepped out of the biology room and a girl came up to me. “Where are you going next?!” she said as she took my arm and led me down the stairs to geometry. To this day, she is one of my best friends.

This is what I love the most about Yellow Springs. No matter how close ever yone is or how long they’ve known each other, the students, teachers and community are so welcoming. Moving from Tucson, Ariz., to Mans�eld, Ohio, and then to Yellow Springs, has shown me what a unique place Yellow Springs is. The teachers are so welcoming and caring to all of their students. Many of them have shaped me into the person I am today. The arts programs and extracurriculars, such as cheerleading and participating in the musical this year, have brought me even closer to my peers and the rest of the village.

In college I plan to major in biology with a pre-medical track. I am so grateful for all that Yellow Springs High School and the community have done for me over the past few years.

Thanks, YS! PARENT/GUARDIAN:

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Ehman’s Garage Emporium Wines/Underdog Café

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Glen Garden Gifts

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I’ve done a lot in the time I’ve spent in here in YS. I’ve started a band called “Tradgities Beneath Us” and another called “Bury Me Alive.” I’ve also met some great people/friends here.

Can’t wait for the future, where good things come.

EDWARD JOHNSON PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

Janice and

Anatoly Johnson My humble, occasionally called hippie, town of Yellow Springs, has motivated me to challenge beliefs and ideologies when I see �t, instructed me on how to problem solve, and expanded my mind. My town is very art centered, focusing on free expression and individualism. It is near impossible to live in such a population and not absorb the same mindset. Following this way of thinking my high school has just recently adopted a new form of education called project-based learning or PBL. This new method implements the same rules of character my community holds so dear into everyday learning. PBL transforms standard education and focuses on cooperative projects, and while still teaching the curriculum, puts emphasis on helping our town. I support this project fully because of the bene�ts it continually has on me and my peers, and the new, unique outlook I have on education and innovation. I would like to thank my teachers, parents and family, coworkers at the Winds Cafe, and everyone else who has given me love and support throughout my years here. Without this countless encouragement, I would not be where I am today.

TAYLOR JOLLIFFE-HAAS Julie, Karen and Jerri Jolliffe-Haas I moved to Yellow Springs a yearand-a-half ago. It was ver y quiet, because I came from Kettering, where there was no room for silence.

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ALEX KELLOGG Linda Grif�th, Scott Kellogg “Shame is resilient and empathy is the antidote,” said Laverne Cox, in a speech of hers that I was incredibly fortunate to attend. Laverne’s speech spoke to me on an emotional level I had not thought to be possible. Not only are Laverne and I both members of the queer community, we are both survivors of suicidal depression. The way this all connects to our town is that the Yellow Springs community and my family helped me out of that dark part of my life. If you look practically anywhere else in the world, queer (particularly gender non-conforming and transgender) people are physically and emotionally hurt on a daily basis by their community and family. Despite my often cynical attitude about Yellow Springs, this town helped keep me alive and I am eternally grateful for that. I have to take this opportunity to thank Shirley Mullins, the Hatfield Twins, Jamie Whitmore, Martin Bakari, Jennifer Shaffer and James Johnston for all the musical knowledge you passed to me.

You all had unique things to offer me, and I wouldn’t be anywhere near the level I am with my voice and violin if it weren’t for each of you.

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Greene County Career Center

My high school experience was decent. Considering how many high schoolers experience hell on a daily basis, I’d say I’m satis�ed with just “decent.” I am genuinely going to miss a lot of the people in my graduating class, which is yet another thing that I feel is rare among high schoolers. The academics of YS are not necessarily the greatest (project-based “learning” at our school is a joke at best), but we have some really amazing faculty that make up for it. Thank you, Mr. Comstock, for unlocking the orchestra room each day and for always seeming to know when I needed encouragement the most. Mr. Smith: I am so glad you understand that personal connections can be way more important than grades, vocabulary and grammar. Mrs. Nickell: your efforts and aid to the GSA are unmatched and we all appreciate it.

Ms. Eguaroje: science really does not seem to be my thing, but we both love to laugh and to eat really good food, so I’ve loved taking your class. To all the other people who have helped me in big or small ways throughout my life, thank you so much.

In 10 years I hope to be an accomplished zumba instructor and to have at least one dog (preferably eight). I enjoy helping others and teaching, so hopefully my career will involve those things.

ASHLEI’ KELLY Lauren Rhinehart, Tommy Kelly I wasn’t born in YS nor did I grow up here. I was a transfer from Spring�eld, Ohio. Moving to this school was a great PARENT/GUARDIAN:

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May 21, 2015

experience and one of the best choices my mom made for me! I love everyone here, you notice the uniqueness and love spread on the daily. I’m grateful for all the support and affection I received these past two years from all my friends, Mr. Smith and anyone else I forgot. Yellow Springs is a wonderful place that will always be a major piece of my life.

ANNA KNIPPLING Alpana Sharma, James Knippling When we move onto new chapters in our lives, it is important to re�ect on both the positive and negative aspects of what we are leaving behind. In so many ways, I wouldn’t be who I am today if it weren’t for Yellow Springs. I have met a number of unique and talented artists in this community who have shown me what it means to be passionate and to see the beauty in what you choose to do. Many of these individuals have been my teachers at Yellow Springs High School. From creative writing to �lmmaking, my experiences here have been completely essential to me becoming who I am and who I hope to be.

However, I feel that the artistic integrity this community possesses is starting to fade from our schools. It has been sad to see theater arts and music at my school diminish in some ways. I wish more could be done to support rising artists in a school that calls itself creative. Muse Machine was an amazing outlet for me to explore theater on a larger and higher PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

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Greene County Combined Health District

Chris & Rick Kristensen & Shelly Blackman Re/Max Victory

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level than what my high school could offer, and I don’t think I would have had the con�dence or peace of mind to apply to music school this year without it. It’s incredibly heartbreaking to me that my high school doesn’t value the impact of this program on its students enough to become a Muse school.

Admittedly, these last four years of my life have been dif�cult in a number of ways and, while a part of me is sad to let go, I couldn’t be more excited to leave for a big city and a completely different experience. But I will never forget the amazing mentors and friends I’ve had. I would like to speci�cally thank all my English teachers, but especially Ms. Blake, who truly gave me a voice. I also send gratitude to Mr. Smith, Lorrie Sparrow and my amazing mother. I will always think about late preteen nights at Brother Bear’s open mic night and listening to Goat Rodeo in French class with the people I have grown up with and love. I will miss looking around at the beautiful nature all over this town when spring comes and everything around me blooms and turns green. I wouldn’t trade that for anything.

ALEXANDER KRAUS Alisa Meier I’m glad I attended this school for the last three years of my high school career. Yellow Springs is a very nice and accepting place, and I’ve made a lot of enjoyable memories here with teachers and fellow students.

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getting annoyed whenever I would talk to him about yet another college application, and all of the other YSHS teachers for a wonderful learning experience. The opportunity to spend the last �ve years of my life here has truly been a privilege and I hope that wherever I may end up in the next few years, I know I can always come back to the familiar surroundings of the place I have been my happiest.

JENNIFER LAWSON PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

ISABELLA “IZZY” LONG

Stephanie

and Jeff Lawson There are so many things I could talk about. I could give you a very dramatized sob story about the girl who moved every three to four years, forced to keep herself from becoming too attached to any person or place with the expectations of only having to leave again. I could talk about how hard it has been for me to feel like a part of a community that is so small and so tightly knit that if you are not born into it, you must earn your place. And I could even talk about having a class of 60 people that seemed gigantic compared to the small 12-person class I had at my tiny Catholic school.

I could go on about these topics and more forever and ever, or I could say how much of an eye-opening experience living in Yellow Springs has been for me. Where I lived in Texas, the thought of wrapping trees in knitting, thinking outside of the box, and unsweetened iced tea were incomprehensible. But I welcomed the change.

I loved the idea of living in a place that had a mind of its own and the challenge that came with the right of calling yourself a true “Springer.”

In the next four years, I plan to study retail merchandising and hopefully dabble into some equine studies as well. And although I am not sure what my career situation will look like in 10 years, I do know that I hope I will be happy, healthy and enjoying whatever curveballs life throws at me. I would also like to thank my wonderful family for always being there for me, Mr. Smith for never O U R

Reichley Insurance Agency Springs Motel

Jane A. Patrick Izzy Long has been going to Yellow Springs Schools since first grade, and has been struck by the town’s kindness ever since. As a child at the Antioch School, she learned how to work hard and play hard, and holds on to those lessons even today. Nowadays, she assists as an Explorer with the local �re department, and looks forward to attending the University of Cincinnati in the future. Izzy hopes to be a general surgeon someday, but is looking at a degree in biomedical engineering for now. Izzy is super grateful for all of her friends and teachers, especially Rhi Harsh and Mr. Comstock, and for her awesome brother, Indy Long. Her favorite things are food, video games and her boyfriend, Judd.

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FIELDING LEWIS Ronald and Amy Lewis I’m really glad I was lucky enough to grow up in Yellow Springs. It’s a small town, which made it easy to build good relationships with a lot of people. Ms. Morgan, Ms. Pettiford, Mr. Jackson and Ms. Katy Burkland stand out in my mind as being great teachers who made my school day more enjoyable. I’d like to thank Jim Hardman and Curtis Butler for coaching the FC Springs soccer team since we were all little kids. I had some really great and funny times playing on that team. Everyone in this town has been pretty good to me.

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MICAH LINDSEY No response submitted.

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Tom’s Market

Town Drug Village Automotive

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May 21, 2015

decided to) and Yellow Springs High School for deciding to educate me.

If I should mention names I will not only run out of time but also paper.

To Giulia, Andi and Gigi: you guys are the best and you will forever be in my heart; glad we met. Miss you, Giulia Cussoli(another exchange student).

Thank you, Yellow Springs, for the diversity.

PETRINA “RINA” MACLAMPTEY Paul and Caroline Mullin That very day when I was on board to come to America as an exchange student, I tell you I had so many questions in mind that needed answers, but who to ask, I had no idea. Life in America has been great, but having Yellow Springs as a host community is just on point. The very �rst day in school was so tiring and stressful since I was new and knew no one. As the saying goes: If Plan A fails, keep calm; the alphabet has 25 more letters, you know. Well, I won’t say the beginning of my stay was perfect, because actually it wasn’t.

It was tough (who leaves home on an adventure, leaving the people you care about so much). The diversity in Yellow Springs has taught me that it’s not only about the people you love and care for, but about loving and caring for new people you meet.

For me Yellow Springs is my second home. No matter the time that passes by, I will always love Yellow Springs and de�nitely come back because you know, I really met some wonderful people and I tell you, forgetting them will be trouble.

I would like to say a big “thank you” to all teaching and non-teaching staff of Yellow Springs, all students and the community as a whole. To my host family I say thank you for deciding to host me(still don’t know why you

HYPATIA MCLELLAN

CAMERON MILES

Gail Lichtenfels, Eric McLellan I have lived in Yellow Springs for my entire life. Growing up here has molded my life in many different ways. This community is a very unique and nurturing place for children and young adults and encourages growth at every stage of life.

I am not entirely sure what comes next for me; I plan to attend college not too far away and study sociology and anthropology, then hopefully see some more of the world. I am very thankful to this town and I am so excited for the future ahead!

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Joyce Miles I have had many great experiences in Yellow Springs with all my friends and family. What I like about Yellow Springs is that no one here is afraid to be themselves. For the most part, ever yone is pretty independent.

Living here has helped me grow as a person in many ways. I have become more mature, smarter and more of a people person. My plans for the next couple of years are to attend a fouryear college and get my degree. In 10 years, I can see myself as an athletic trainer somewhere.

COLE MCNEAL-HARDING

MAR’RIA MILEY

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MOLLYE MALONE John and Kathryn Malone Yes, I like piña coladas, and getting caught in the rain.

I’m not much into health food, I am into champagne.

I’ve got to meet you by tomorrow noon, and cut through all this red tape.

At a bar called O’Malley’s, where we’ll plan our escape PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

Nichole McNeal, Keith Harding and Margie Harding “I like trains.” —I Like Trains Guy

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Village BP Keith A. Watson, M.D.

Mark Miles,

Antoinette Miley and Mario Spears (deceased) Since moving to Yellow Springs in 4th grade I have met amazing people

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Jaimie Wilke, Holistic Massage The Winds Cafe

YS Federal Credit Union

Yellow Springs High School

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and made friendships that I hope will last a lifetime. I have had some amazing and not-so-amazing experiences.

A few of the people that I would like to give extra special recognition are Mr. Smith, Ms. Blake, Ms. Lutz and Palmer Jordan. Each and every one of these phenomenal people have impacted me beyond belief and I am unsure where I’d be without them. I would also like to thank the Yellow Springs school system for all the help support I have received over the last nine years.

A Special Section of the YELLOW SPRINGS NEWS

fact, he is baked before he comes to work, during work, and I’m sure after work. He probably hasn’t been sober anytime in the last ten years, and he’s only 22. He dresses like a beatnik throwback from the 1960’s, and to make things worse, he brings his big dog to work. Every day I have to look at this huge Great Dane walk around half-stoned from the second-hand smoke. Hell, sometimes I even think it’s trying to talk with its constant bellowing. Also, both of them are constantly hungry, requiring multiple stops to McDonalds and Burger King, every single day!

Anyway, I drive these people around in my van and we solve mysteries and shit. (Reddit, 2009)

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I love everything that happened to me here because it was more exciting than I thought it would be. It’s the best experience so far. Thanks for all the people that I spent time with. That was a pleasure.

GAGNESSIRY “GIGI” NIANG Naomi Ewald-Orme and Jim Orme The most valuable thing that happened to me was to have the chance to be an exchange student, being able to live in Yellow Springs, going to YSHS, being part of a really amazing family and working on having the best year ever.

I love my schools a lot because people are so helpful and I got the chance to learn new stuff. The students are so kind and friendly. It’s not the same compared to where I came from, where you got school from 8 a.m. to noon, then the afternoon from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.! That’s quite hard.

But I could not feel this happy and comfortable without my lovely host family. They are the best ever. We talk, we laugh, we exchange a lot of stuff and I like that. Shout-out to the Orme family. Shout-out also to the YSHS principal, Dr. Krier and the counselor, Mr. Smith, who are the ones that gave me the chance to be a YSHS student. Thanks a lot.

Well, I guess I could write a novel by talking about my experience here throughout my host family, the YS environment, the YS schools, the sport teams I’ve been in, because I enjoyed it a lot.

I plan to go back to my country, Senegal, and get my two years nailed up to have my bachelor’s degree. Then I’ll look for a university, hopefully in Ohio or Canada. I don’t have a preference yet, but I would love to focus on chemistry, psychology and literature.

And always keep doing sports.

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NATHAN MILLER PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

David and

Kim Miller My job is so unbelievable.

I’ll try to sum it up by �rst telling you about the folks I work with: First, there is this supermodel wanna-be chick. Yeah, okay, she is pretty hot, but she’s completely useless. The girl is constantly fixing her hair or putting on makeup. She is extremely self-centered and has never once considered the needs or wants of anyone but herself. She is as dumb as a box of rocks, and I still �nd it surprising that she has enough brain power to continue to breathe.

The next chick is completely the opposite. She might even be one of the smartest people on the planet.

Her career opportunities are endless, and yet she is here with us. She is a zero on a scale of 1 to 10. I’m not sure she even showers.

But the jewel of the crowd has got to be the stoner! And this guy is more than just your average pothead. In

NADIA MULHALL PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

Jacoline and

Kevin Mulhall learned many cool things thanks to my educators —you are warriors

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THERON ORME Naomi Ewald-Orme and Jim Orme I’m more of a cat person.

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MADELEINE RAMAGE No response submitted.

EMMA ROMOHR PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

Elizabeth

and Gary Romohr From the day I started kindergarten at the Antioch School 12 years ago, Yellow Springs has been my home. It’s been the place where I met

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Yellow Springs Chamber of Commerce

Yellow Springs Chiropractic

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my best friend; where I began and ended my �rst relationship; where I of�cially moved at the end of second grade. I can’t remember a time when Yellow Springs made me feel unwelcome or weird. The town has supported me one hundred percent through my life. I’ll always cherish the many memories I’ve made while growing up, even the ones that are not so pleasant.

One of my favorite memories from living in Yellow Springs was when I started running cross country at the beginning of my junior year. It took guts, but I learned to not give up and run through hardships, and I earned myself some new friends. Thanks to Vince Peters, one of the best cross countr y coaches ever, I gained a new outlook on life and a coach who pushed me to succeed.

I’ve had many other special memories, but many become a huge blur.

However, there are many people who have impacted my life. I want to thank my family; my friends, especially Izzy; my teachers; my coaches, including an aforementioned cross countr y coach; and all those whom I have met along the way. You people have helped to shape me into a successful young woman.

My future plans will be quite busy.

I intend to attend the University of Findlay in the fall, majoring in pharmacy, and hopefully settling down with the man of my dreams. My future is still uncertain, however, so I will have to face every new event with courage and grace, and accept the outcome, whatever it will be.

Shout-outs go to the Class of 2015, Izzy, my immediate and extended family, Ms. Lutz, Coach Gudge and many others. If I were to go on, this list of shout-outs would be neverending. Shout-outs to everyone else who took the time to get to know me as a person, and I wish everyone the best of luck in their future.

A Special Section of the YELLOW SPRINGS NEWS

KAILA RUSSELL

JARED SCARFPIN

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Patricia and

Nicholas Russell Growing up, I was always encouraged to be passionate about the things that I love; I’ve gotten this both from my parents and from my community.

I’ve been pushed to follow (and work for) my dreams. Even when it’s been tough, I’ve been able to count on the people around me. Without the support I’ve received, I doubt that I would be as driven as I am today. I’m enormously grateful for all of the love and kindness this town has given me.

In the future, I want to help as many people as possible to receive the same support. I want to give people the same opportunities and kindness that I’ve been given.

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Will and

Valerie Scarfpin YSHS has given me many opportunities to excel in sports that I might not have had anywhere else. In my four years, I have played soccer, basketball and baseball. I loved playing with my friends and for the school.

Representing the community is something that I will miss greatly.

In the fall I will be attending Mount Vernon Nazarene University to play soccer and to study exercise science.

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May 21, 2015

friends than I could have ever hoped for. Although I intend to leave, for a time, I will certainly be back. To grow old, or to live forever as a cyborg.

Whichever happens �rst. Either way, Yellow Springs is my home, no matter where I live.

The end of high school feels much more like a start than a �nish. I think this is what you would call “the beginning of the rest of your life.” What are my plans? Truthfully, I have no plans.

I have tentative plans to make concrete plans, but even those are barely past the planning stages. I have a lot of questions to ask myself. What is the purpose of life? Money? Probably not. Love? Possibly. Pizza? We’re de�nitely getting close. I suppose it’s time for me to �nd my own personal purpose. After high school I intend to do just that (How’s that for a cop-out answer?)

I want to say “thank you” to all the people who’ve ever played music with me, been my friends, coached me in soccer, taught me in school or have been a part of my life in one way or another.

Sam, Blaze, Tom, I really don’t know what to say to you guys. Where would I start? Thank you for being my friends, the time we’ve spent with each other I wouldn’t trade for the world.

Lastly, I want to say “thank you” to my mom and dad for being loving and most of all supportive to no end.

I couldn’t ask for better parents. If I could write the way you parent, these thank-yous would be a lot longer and sweeter, but hopefully you’ll still get the point.

JEREMIAH SCOTT Amy and Evan Scott Growing up in Yellow Springs has been incredible. I consider my childhood exceptional, definitely better than yours (“you” being, well, anyone. Everyone.) Ample trees to climb, walks in the Glen and better PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

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Yellow Springs Country Bed & Breakfast

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A Special Section of the YELLOW SPRINGS NEWS

me with opportunities to participate in lots and lots of diverse activities, rather than just focusing on a few little areas.

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LOUIS “ALEX” STROLGER Shahkar and Jackie Strolger Overall, I’m grateful to have gone to Yellow Springs High School. I’ve spent my whole life in Yellow Springs and have made great friends and met very nice people. I’ve learned a lot going to YSHS and am both excited and sad to leave. Sad because I’m leaving the school behind, and excited because I don’t have to go to high school anymore. (Schoolwork sucks no matter where you go.) I thank my family and teachers for helping me get this far.

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JOSHUA SEITZ

BRYCE WHITE

Daniele Norman and David Seitz They say it takes a community to raise a child, and I would say that is most de�nitely the case. I have lived in Yellow Springs almost my entire life and if it truly an incredible place to grow up. It’s funny how a particular moment pops out at you when you try to remember all that’s happened leading up to the present. Playing in the indoor sandbox in Mrs. Brunsman’s kindergarten class, taking the particularly difficult spelling tests in second grade, whimping out at my first YSKP audition. I truly have been supported in my studies, both academic and non-academic, and in my many performances by teachers throughout my school career and many other adults in the community.

I was inspired by theatre students who came before me to pursue and develop a long love of theatre. One of my favorite moments of my senior year was when I received a message from a younger cast member of “West Side Story” saying I inspired them to continue theater. I have also been supported in my love of clarinet, which I am pursuing at Lawrence University’s Conservatory of Music. I feel YSHS has done a great job of preparing me for the future, I only wish that there were more opportunities of students who wanted to go above and beyond in music along with academics. I had no desire to take �ve AP courses my senior year, but at that point, I had taken every other academic course in the school. However, living in a small town with a small school provided

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Yellow Springs Library Association

LIAM WEIGAND Kirk Weigand, Mindy Severtson I have learned a lot growing up in Yellow Springs. The most valuable piece of knowledge I have taken away from living in YS and going to YSHS is learning how to treat the person beside me. Respect has always played a part no matter where in Yellow Springs I might happen to be, and I am blessed to have grown up in such a wonderful place. Special thanks to Kathr yn Burkland and Paul Comstock for making my last year a great one.

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JOSHUA WEIS No response submitted.

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Kelvin White My experience growing up in Yellow Springs has been great. Throughout my career there have been a number of people who have helped develop me into the person I am today, and I would like to say thank you to those people and the community.

ANDI SORIANO GARCIA Angela Brintlinger and Steven Conn I’m an exchange student here, so I can just tell you about my six months of experience here. The part I love most about Yellow Springs is the fact that the town is so small and everybody knows each other. The best part about the school is the extra activities teachers use to make you learn. In Italy I wasn’t used to it, so for me it is a good surprise and a really good way to learn. I personally wouldn’t change anything because, for me, living here is a dream, and you can’t change dreams.

For the next year, I’m going to �nish my Italian school and think about a college or university I would enjoy. But I really don’t know what’s going to happen in 10 years, because I have no plans for my future right now!

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ANNA WILLIAMSON Marsha Casdorph, David Williamson I’m very grateful to have grown up in Yellow Springs. It’s hard for me to imagine life without Glen Helen, or not being within walking distance to everywhere in town. The bike path, the golf course, swimming at Gaunt Park in the summer and sledding there in the winter, croissants from the Emporium, coffee from Dino’s,

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Yellow Springs Police Dept.

YS Psychological Center, Aïda Merhemic & Bob Barcus

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Yellow Springs High School

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the list of things I love about YS could go on and on. What I will miss the most, though, will be the place that has been my second home for the past 10 years: The Riding Centre.

There’s not much to say about the Riding Centre, except that it’s a magical place. The people there are incredible, and have taught me so much about horses and also about being a decent person. The Riding Centre’s goal is to give affordable horse care and riding lessons to people of diverse capabilities, but I believe that they go above and beyond by offering ever yone who comes through the privilege to be around horses. To quote Winston Churchill, “There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.”

I need to thank all of my barn moms, but I especially need to thank Carolyn Bailey for helping me grow up at The Riding Centre. Thank you for teaching me to ride, for giving me the opportunity to own the most wonderful horse in the world and for giving me a job. All of my experiences at The Riding Centre are invaluable and will stay with me always.

Yellow Springs holds yet another special place: the Antioch School.

I cannot be more thankful to have attended the Antioch School. When I went there, I was always excited for class. Trying to think back on that feeling now is hard, because I haven’t felt it in a while. At the Antioch School, I was always encouraged to explore my interests. The entire staff is supportive of every student and encourages the students to do the projects they want. The leeway, and amount of “free time” (or recess) students have at the Antioch School is often misinterpreted as lack of work or rigor. I can’t express how inaccurate this is. While I may not have learned speci�c details from a textbook, or how to take a standardized test, I learned how to learn. I learned how to express myself and how to pursue my interests. I learned how to be a kind, caring person, and how to effectively resolve con�icts. I learned about the importance of music and art, and being outside. While the high school is exploring project-based learning, I believe that the Antioch School’s democratic, child-centered structure is something to look at.

A Special Section of the YELLOW SPRINGS NEWS

As far as my future goes, I plan on studying abroad for the 2015–16 school year. I will most likely be going to France with AFS for what would be my senior year. After that I plan on attending college, although I don’t know where. I’m very excited for this opportunity, and I am thankful for all of the support from my teachers, friends and parents.

JESSICA WORSHAM No response submitted.

SHANICE WRIGHT Sterling Wright and Agnes Borg I went to Yellow Springs High School my junior and senior year. I used to live in Toronto and, before that, France. I found that Yellow Springs is a meaningful place by knowing that you could be who you want to be without being judged.

In fact, they embrace it. What I like about this school is that people take their grades ver y seriously. The PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

BLAZE WRIGHT PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

Rachel

Litteral, Scott Wright I’d never spent as long a time in a school district as I have in Yellow Springs, and I’m so glad I stayed.

I came here in seventh grade and it was immediately an entirely new

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experience from any other school I’d ever attended. No more bullying, better food, nicer people and a safe town to enjoy.

The quality of education here is fantastic, and I’ve not only learned a lot, but also found my passions in music, art and astrophysics through the help of the teachers and my peers. I would especially like to thank Mr. Smith, who has always been there for me, whether it be as a teacher, an adviser, a friend, a critic or a mysterious and wise master of the arcane.

I plan to attend Ohio Wesleyan University this fall, where I will study astrophysics and continue to play music. Afterwards, I will likely travel to a faraway land known only as “Germany” to seek free graduate education, whereupon I will acquire my Ph.D. and begin assembling the followers and materials I will need to build a fortress on a high mountain peak. There, I will construct a hyperadvanced spacecraft to shuttle myself and my most loyal followers to the stars, where we will exchange stories and pastry recipes.

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YSI, a Xylem Brand

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May 21, 2015

teachers and friends will help you out if you’re failing or having a problem with some assignments.

I would put the middle school and high school into different buildings because the middle schoolers are in our business. It will have more impact from eighth grade to freshmen and they would respect more upperclassmen.

Next year, I’m going to Youngstown State University. I would like to major in business management, but I always change my mind, so I’m taking general studies to see if I might be interested in something else. But for now I’m planning on going to YSU for two years and then go to an HBCU for my junior, senior year and going back to France for at least six months and go into culinary school there.

Come back, and open my own French bakery.