Time Marches On for the Class of 2015

Summer 2015
Time Marches On for the Class of 2015
Supportive family and friends gathered at
Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center
on Friday, June 5, for Bedford High School’s
130th Commencement ceremony.
Principal Samuel J. Vawters welcomed the
219 graduates and guests and highlighted
the special achievements of several students
from the graduating class. (See “Did You
Know?,” p. 7) He then welcomed Gary
Kaplan and the BHS A Cappella Choir to
the stage for Mr. Kaplan’s final performance
as Bedford High’s choir director before his
retirement at the end of the school year.
“Everyone here has or is about to make a
big decision, whether it’s college, military,
trade school or a job,” noted BHS Teacher
of the Year, science teacher Eleni Marron.
“Make sure you have a plan and a backup
plan. Prepare yourself for the worst, while
still hoping for the best.” She told the graduates that if at any time their plans seemed
to be falling apart, to call on family and
friends to help pick them back up and
remind them never to give up.
The top five students in the class, Elise
Sampson, Keyon Bonner, Raelene Jones,
Victoria Dragga, and Paris Searight, presented Superintendent Sherman C. Micsak
with the class gift. “Throughout our four
years at Bedford High School, ‘time’ has
been a constant theme,” Valedictorian Paris
Searight explained. “One of our illustrious
teachers constantly reminded us that ‘time
is the best gift you can give someone.’ In
light of this, please accept our gift of a clock
for the auditorium. We hope that future
Bearcats will start their days being aware
“The Class
with Class”
(2015 Class Motto)
Valedictorian
Paris Searight
of the greatest gift we
could leave behind. To my
classmates, remember that
you can’t turn back the
clock, but you can wind it
up again.” Superintendent
Micsak thanked the class
for the thoughtful gift and
introduced selected senior
speakers, Raelene Jones
and Kimeisha Buchanan.
Raelene offered three key
pieces of advice to her classmates: Don’t let
others define who you are. You do not need
to be perfect. Never, under any circumstance,
should you give up. She quoted Ralph Waldo
Emerson, “Life is a journey, not a destination,”
and offered as a final piece of advice: “May
you never forget to enjoy every part of the
journey that leads to your destination.”
“Whether every test you took was an
effortless ‘A’, or studying until the late hours
was an all too familiar undertaking, we have
all arrived at the same destination, and I
couldn’t be more proud,” Kimeisha said.
“I am standing in a room full of graduates that
are more than capable and more than willing
to offer themselves and their abundant talents
to society.” She asked her classmates to not
only leave graduation with a diploma in their
hands, but to also leave with a marvelous
outlook on life in their hearts and minds.
Following the awarding of diplomas, the
graduates moved their tassels from the right
side to the left side of their mortarboards and
recessed out of the Wolstein Center to begin
the next journey of their lives.
From the top: • Kayla Agee
• Senior Class Principal Kenneth Elder with Brett Biederman
• Gary Kaplan
• Keyon Bonner, Raelene Jones, Elise Sampson, Victoria Dragga and Paris Searight
• Ladell Mills Black, Antonio Levert, Keyshawn Prinkleton, Marqua Morgan,
and Amhir Robinson
Head of the Class, 2015
Congratulations to the top five
graduates of the Class of 2015.
All graduated Summa Cum Laude
(3.9 or higher GPA), receiving
Academic Honors Diplomas.
Elise Sampson
• Class Rank #5
• Plans to attend Xavier University to
major in Business Administration/
Marketing
• Activities: SADD, NHS, Friends 4
Friends, FEA, A Cappella Choir
• Favorite High School Class: Marketing
and Spanish
• Favorite High School Teacher: Mrs.
Kirin and Ms. Jelks
• Daughter of Edith and Eddie
Sampson, Bedford Heights
• How has BHS helped to prepare
you for the next phase of your life?
Bedford High School has given me the
opportunities I will need to succeed in
my life and career after high school.
Raelene Jones
• Class Rank #3
• Plans to attend University of Mount
Union to major in Biochemistry
• Activities: Marching Band, Varsity
Softball, Girls Varsity Soccer, NHS,
Jazz Band
• Favorite High School Class: Band
• Favorite High School Teacher: Mr.
Burnside and Ms. Shauf
• Daughter of Adam and Laurie Jones,
Bedford
• Class Rank #4
• How has BHS helped to prepare
you for the next phase of your life?
Bedford High School has taught me
how to prepare and plan better when
it comes to my education. After failing
my first test in one of my AP classes,
I learned that I couldn’t skate by
myself anymore, that I had to become
more active in my studies. I also
learned, through being president of a
120-person marching band, that you
definitely gain the respect of those
around you by giving it out first.
• Plans to work toward becoming a
Chef
Victoria Dragga
• How has BHS helped to prepare
you for the next phase of your
life? The extracurricular activities
provided me responsibility and
leadership. My peers taught me
comradery. Our teachers gave me a
valuable education and taught me to
challenge myself.
Keyon Bonner
• Activities: Office Runner, Peer
Mentor, Environmental Club
• Favorite High School Class: Biology
• Favorite High School Teacher: Mrs.
Topolski and Mrs. Kalina
• Son of Jamal Bonner, Bedford
• Class Rank #2
• Plans to attend Kent State University
to major in Fashion Design/Business
• Activities: NHS, Swim Team, Stage
Crew, Student Advisory Council,
University Bound Scholars
• Favorite High School Class: AP Statistics
• Favorite High School Teacher: Mrs.
Dilyard
• Daughter of Jack and Gail Dragga,
Bedford
• How has BHS helped to prepare you
for the next phase of your life? Bedford
High School has definitely prepared
me for the next stage of life by making
me more confident in myself and
my abilities. Taking a challenging
coursework, along with extracurricular
activities all at once, pushed me to go
beyond my limits. It is because of the
amazing teachers and advisors that
I am now so good at organizing and
prioritizing, traits that are essential for a
successful future.
Paris K. Searight
• Class Rank #1
• Plans to join the United States Air Force
• Activities: Zeta Archonettes, FEA,
Language Club, Homeless Stand Down,
University Bound Scholars, NHS
• Favorite High School Class: AP English
Literature and Composition
• Favorite High School Teacher: Mrs. Dean
• Daughter of Myra and Frank
Washington, Bedford
• How has BHS helped to prepare you
for the next phase of your life? Bedford
High School has equipped me with the
ability to work with vigor and persistence in every task that I aim to complete. Teachers like Mrs. Dean, Mrs.
Dilyard, Mr. Marron, and Mr. Inman
instilled in us students high expectations. They encouraged us to work hard
and accomplish tasks correctly and efficiently. Such teaching has encouraged
me to make the decision to join the Air
Force and continue my reign of tactful
accomplishment.
Congratulations also to Kimeisha
Buchanan, who ranked #6 in the class
and to Zaria Gilmore, who ranked #7.
They also graduated Summa Cum Laude.
Kimeisha plans to attend Baldwin Wallace
University to major in Biology/Pre-Med,
and Zaria plans to attend Kent State
University to major in Biochemistry.
2
l-r: Elise Sampson, Victoria Dragga,
Raelene Jones, Paris Searight, and
Kemeisha Buchanan. Not pictured:
Keyon Bonner and Zaria Gilmore
Superintendent of Schools for
the last six years, Micsak Retires
Sherman C. Micsak will retire as superintendent of
the Bedford City School District, effective July 31. He
has been with Bedford for 23 years and has led the
3,800-student district for the past six years. Under his
leadership, the district has achieved five consecutive
years of growth on the Value-Added rating of the Ohio
Report card, ranking 35th out of 611 public school
districts in the state last year. The district also passed an
additional 4.9 mill operating levy last November, which
passed by the largest margin in 46 years.
Superintendent Micsak has been in public education
for 35 years, beginning his career as a teacher and coach in the Lorain City
Schools. He was an assistant principal in North Ridgeville City Schools before
he joined the Bedford District in 1992 as Secondary Supervisor and later as
Director of Secondary Education. He was appointed Assistant Superintendent
in 2001 and superintendent in 2009.
Bedford Schools Once Again
Chosen “Top Workplace”
For the fourth consecutive year, Bedford
City School District was named by the
Plain Dealer as one of Northeast Ohio’s
Top Workplaces—The Best Employers
in the Region. The school district ranked
#15 in the Large Business category
(500+ local employees) of the 150
companies, nonprofits and government
agencies selected as Top Workplaces.
Heskett Honors
Top Academic
Achievers
“Professionally, I have had the opportunity that few people will ever have,
which is serving as the superintendent of this outstanding school district and
community,” Mr. Micsak said. “I will miss the friendships, the professionalism,
and will hold on dearly to the fond and loving memories that I have
accumulated over the past 23 years. I am proud of the work that we have
completed and the accomplishments we have attained, and I will always hold
my head high as I declare: I am proud to be a Bearcat!”
Dr. Andrea Celico Named
New Superintendent of Schools
At its June 11th meeting, the Bedford Board of Education
appointed Andrea Celico, Ph.D., Superintendent of
Schools, effective August 1st. Dr. Celico served as
Assistant Superintendent for the Cleveland HeightsUniversity Heights City School District for the last two
years. The balance of her career was spent in the Euclid
City Schools, where she began teaching fifth grade in
1996. She advanced to assistant principal in three years
and became a principal in 2002. In 2009, she was
promoted to Assistant Superintendent.
Dr. Celico earned a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary
Education and Reading Certification from John Carroll University. She earned
both a Master’s Degree in School Administration and a Doctorate of Philosophy
(Ph.D.) in Urban Administration from Cleveland State University. She has served
as an instructor at Cleveland State since 2011, teaching Leadership, Community
Engagement; Instructional Leadership and Pupil Personnel Administration; and
Managing Personnel. Dr. Celico has published several articles in professional
periodicals addressing effective strategies for teaching minority youth and
minority recruitment and has spent years presenting on the achievement gaps
that exist between African-American and Caucasian students.
“I have learned the Bearcat tradition of offering a high quality education is due
to the wonderful people of the communities and the hard work of the students
and staff,” Dr. Celico said. “As Superintendent, I will work tirelessly on our path
to excellence.”
Catherine Lescook
Yessica Berru
Kaela McMullin
Eris Thomas
Heskett Middle School’s highest
honor, the prestigious Dale D. Heskett
Award was presented to Catherine
Lescook at the end of the school year.
Named in honor of Bedford Schools’
superintendent from 1950 to 1964,
this award is given in recognition of
outstanding scholarship and leadership.
Three other students were
recognized as Heskett’s STAR award
winners for exhibiting outstanding
Scholarship, Talent, Achievement
and Responsibility. This year’s STAR
recipients are Yessica Berru, Kaela
McMullin, and Eris Thomas.
3
Future Directions
Out of the 219 graduates in the Class of 2015:
The members of the Bedford High School Class of 2014 leave the hallways
of their alma mater to spread out in many different directions. The majority
plan to further their education. The following information was obtained from a
survey that each student completed prior to graduation. (Information for some
students was provided by BHS staff members.) As of press time, here are the
grads’ short-term future plans. Good luck to the newest group of BHS alumni.
Arizona State University
David Arman Gray
Ashland University
Michael Aaron Jones, Jr.
Baldwin Wallace University
Kimeisha Ravilita Buchanan
Samantha Darlena Dobbins-Cobb
Reina Sharice Houston
Daniel Allen Presby
Berklee College of Music,
Boston, Mass.
Charise Nicole Grimes
Bowling Green State University
Jaylen Merlita Lindsey
Bryant & Stratton College
Kenneth Eugene Anderson
Alan Michael Ballachino Jr.
Central Michigan University
Deandre Kevin Chambers
Alycia Marquis Pames
Jordyn Ryah Williams
Cleveland Institute of Art
Asia Mone’ Moore
Cleveland State University
Darrien Kamal Benford
Markita Evette Robinson Burgess
Santia Zatai Cole
Antonio Deandre Cook
Kennady Elise Crayne
Brianna Charmanye Davis
Dwana Charmaine Glenn
MacKenzie Laurel Goodwin
Aiyana Jevon Grady
Anthony Elijah Lamont Haywood
Jarren Deandre Highbaugh
Alvorado Malik Alphonzo
Jackson
Rahmel Michael Johnson
Chase Anthony Jones
Arthur St Clair Kay
Antonio Antwon Levert
Tiana Nicole Lovelace
Brandy Chanel Moore
Marqua Brandon Morgan
Alissa Renee Mullen
Mariah Nichole Linsey Nelson
Maliaq Nile Leibre Dean Phillips
Shakera Dashawn Phillips
Christin Chandler Range
Kameron Deon Sanford
Arionne Dejanae Simmons
Markia Vannise Washington
Columbus State
Community College
Diamond Destini Brown
Alliyah Naja Harper
4
Eastern Michigan University
Jenna Taylor Howell
Alicia Shavon Lewis
Dejenai Nicole Norris
LaGerrica Dejanae Simmons
Erie Community College City
Campus, Buffalo, NY
Austin Jordan Ester
Ervin Jones Jr.
Erie Community College,
Williamsville, NY London Alexander Cloud
178 will go on to higher education - 81%
12 will enter the military - 5%
11 will enter the workforce - 5%
18 are undecided or plans are unknown - 8%
Notre Dame College of Ohio
Decarlo Sherman Fowler
Ohio Dominican University
Justin Nathaniel Harris
Ohio Northern University
Ledondrick Gabel Chapman
Ohio State University
Ahmir Lamar Robinson
Brittney-Lee Ruth Thompson
Ohio State University-Mansfield
Lavell E. C. Sudberry
Fort Scott Community
College, Kan.
Najee Marneo Stevens-McKenzie
Ohio Technical College
Ashanti Dejon Bailey
Anthony John Piazza
Full Sail University, Fla.
Derick Lamonte Barnes
Ohio University
J’Nae Dominique Bennett
Shirlea Jeane’ Blue
Kailey Nichole Bobbs
A’Seana Charae McIntyre
Heidelberg University
Matthew Isaac Gaston
Myron William Prewitt
Jamir Rashaan Warren-Bey
Wimbley
Olivet Nazarene University
Victoria Lorraine Skrebunas
Hiram College
Shamar Carlyle Jeffrey
Joseph Biagio Travarca
Purdue University Calumet,
Hammond, Ind.
Brett Michael Biederman
Jackson State University,
Jackson, Miss.
Terrence Alexander Sotillio
Remington College,
Cleveland Campus
Sinnaka Alaysha Williams
John Carroll University
Shannon Michelle Johnson
Johnson & Wales University
North Miami, Fla.
Kayla Brittany Agee
Treasure Monai Hunter
Kent State University
Brandon David Bounds
Cordell Bruce Bounds
Kiarra Nicole Burch
Carlin William Colston
Victoria Lin Odbert Dragga
Zaria Anita Gilmore
Tyrell Kelvon Gordon
Tyler Jamal Hamilton
De-Marey Paris-Lashaee Holloway
Imani Ayana Hubbard
Cendra Danielle Hylton
Justice Andrew Roper
Jayla Antonese Sweet
Courtney Noel Wagner
Tahja Renee Williams
Kent State University-Twinsburg
Mercedes Marie Binns
Lakeland Community College
Michael Jared Smith
Mercyhurst North East, Pa.
Steven Justin Fore
Shawnee State University
Emmanuel DaShaun Adams
Tiffin University
Kevin Erskin Anderson
Tri-C (Cuyahoga
Community College)
Aaron Patrick Akers
Taylor Marie Austin
Nicholas James Colvin
Ashley Simone Conner
Kortni Jai Daniel
Jasmine Shante Dickerson
Eyani Juanisha Shainique Forte
Sariya Salim Fares Khanfar
John Herbert Finley
Tatyana Shailaja Fort
Allyssa Jennae Fowler
Abraham Douglas Graham
Frederick Da’Shon Harris
Walter Roger Hawthorne
Juana Jasemine Hill
Kyra Dyshay Howard
Deonna Jealynn Isler
Keith James Jones
Hector Isaac Lopez
Najaya Chemia Lyons
Nequia Kene Lytle
Christian De’Angelo McDaniel
Kayla Nicole Merriman
Ashley Marie Minute-DeSalvo
Jennifer Jade Moore
Tailyn Jourdan Marie Nevels
Yeleanna Kaitlyn Oladeji
Sydney Nakya Owens
Jhanae Janette Pearl
Ja-Juan Alize Randle
Roman Mark Schultheis
Sharnnell Lanaja Sims
Jordan Anthony Swoope
Terrion Jeramiah Warner
Terry Dominick Warner
Tyra Iman Williams
Brendalyn Sarima Wright
Haylie Amber Zenda
U. S. Air Force
Justin Jamal Jackson
Kelvin Ramon Lyons
Paris Krishan Searight
Breana Nichole Vinson
Mercedes Maria Zanath
U. S. Army
Issaiah DeForrest Snorten
U. S. Marines
Nicholas Gnoddie Barto
De’Von Lee Cummings
Dwayne Lamar Cody Johnson
Desiree Ellen Jones
James Henderson Maddox
U. S. Navy
Darnell Saveon Walton
University of Akron
Ladale Laquan Mills Black
Dominique Ashap Deanes
Malik Omar Evans
Malik Brian Flowers
Destiny Janay Garrett
Tyree Kevon Gordon
Daniel Arthur Jones
Anglique Lashawn Jones-Hall
Arshaun Marquez Parham
Diontez Jovaun Ross
Harwinder Singh
Montonio Rmon Williams
University of Cincinnati
Marquise Matthew Copeland
University of Findlay
Justin Edward Robinson
University of Mount Union
Daijahnae Markeshia Jones
Raelene DiFranco Jones
University of Toledo
Starr Samantha A. Bouyer
Ursuline College
D’Anna Kevon Berry-Creel
Ryanne Marie Harris
Jasmine Marguerite Miller
Kayla Mariah Miller
Mya Clarice Tomasek
Shardai Arielle Turner
Wayne State University,
Detroit, Mich.
Anthony Lajuane Copeland
Winston-Salem State
University, NC
Arielle Yasmiene Harris
Wright State University
Kenje’ Patrice-Gloria Taylor
Daysha Kreshawn Vason
Scholarship Winners
The Bedford Board of Education, administration, faculty and staff would like to congratulate
the following Class of 2015 local scholarship recipients. Thank you to the various community
and school organizations and individuals who fund these scholarships, which help students to
further their education.
Xavier University
Spencer Jake Pliske
Elise Renee Sampson
Darrien Benford
• Bedford Education
Association (BEA)
Scholarship
Treasure Hunter
• Bedford Band and Orchestra
Parents Miller/Balogh
Scholarship
Youngstown State University
Aaron Jevon Phinnessee
Krystan Olivia Robinson
J’nae Bennett
• Southeast Region Chamber
of Commerce Scholarship
Daijahnae Jones
• Bedford City Schools’
Foundation Chris Valley
Scholarship
• Bedford Heights Scholarship
Award
• Bedford Rotary Foundation
Scholarship
Two- or Four-Year College
Antonio Arnez Diggs
Lakita Sherill Watson Dowdell
Simone Donille Jackson
Evan Hamilton Lunder
Timothy McKinney
Arielle NaShauna Stennett
Isaiah Anteny Keshawn Thompson
Orris Donnell Washington
Anthony Jameel Williams
Taylor Leneice Wimberly
Business, Trade or
Technical School
Leon Dashaun Fitzwater
David Miler
Keyshaun Duane Prinkleton
Enter Workforce
Keith Andre Askew
Alexander James Benjamin
Bohanon
Keyon Zaire Bonner
Maria Nicole Ciprian
Juan Terrell Hickman
Anthony William Jackson
Francis Valentine Lukasik
Isaiah Michael Robinson
Tiara Sarah Stephens
Bryant Jamahl Stewart
Jesean Jay Willis
Undecided or Plans Unknown
Fermin Guadalupe Cisneros
Cabrera
Diana Joy Day
John Welch DiRocco
Ahmiur Rashaan-Tony Exum
Cortez Ramon Harris
Drew Vincent Herrage
Tia Cheri Larkin
Ezandra Teneil Linton
Nataya Tremia Lyons
Sophia Evangeline Mouat
Amber Kristin Obhof
Brandon Vernon Orr
Amerieal Stefone Penman
Taylor David Powell
Amanda Brione Robinson
Arius Arnes-Malek Shields
Nathaniel Tyler Whitted
Rolanda Roshell Wilford
Brandon Bounds
• Bedford Heights Scholarship
Award
• Bedford Lions Club Bert
Zahn Scholarship
Starr Bouyer
• Bedford Heights Scholarship
Award
• Bedford High PTSA
Scholarship
Ledondrick Chapman
• Bedford High PTSA
Scholarship
Samantha Dobbins-Cobb
• Bedford Heights Scholarship
Award
Victoria Dragga
• Carter Family Foundation
Scholarship
Malik Evans
• Ohio PTA Memorial
Scholarship
Tyrell Gordon
• Bedford High PTSA
Scholarship
• Grant T. And Kathryn R.
Noble Scholarship
Arielle Harris
• Bedford Lions Club Helen
Paulson Scholarship
Ryanne Harris
• Bedford City Schools’
Foundation Scholarship
• Joseph C. Searcy Memorial
Scholarship
• Leo Lucas Scholarship, Ohio
Schools Boards Association
Black Caucus
• Bedford Education
Association (BEA)
Scholarship
• The 1-4 Our Students
Scholarship
Reina Houston
• Bedford Firefighters Terry
Tench Memorial Scholarship
Raelene Jones
• Bedford Band and Orchestra
Laing/Allie Scholarship
• Bedford Rotary Foundation
Scholarship
• Charles S. & Virginia A.
Bright Memorial Scholarship
• Cleveland Area Minority
Educators Recruitment
Association (C.A.M.E.R.A.)
Scholarship
• Ohio PTA Memorial
Scholarship
Tiana Lovelace
• Bedford Band and Orchestra
Parents Miller/Balogh
Scholarship
Marqua Morgan
• Bedford Heights Scholarship
Award
• Bedford PTA Council
Scholarship
Ahmir Robinson
• Bedford Band and Orchestra
Laing/Allie Scholarship
• Bedford Rotary Foundation
Scholarships
• French Bartlett Ladies
Auxiliary of the VFW
Scholarship
• Ohio PTA Memorial
Scholarship
• Scholarship for the
Continuance Of Music
Performance Locke/Mitchell
Scholarship
• Bedford Heights Scholarship
Award
• Bedford High PTSA
Scholarship
• C. Michael Robinson
Memorial Scholarship
• Christopher Koger Memorial
Scholarship
• Ernest F. Petrilli Memorial
Scholarship
• Grant T. And Kathryn R.
Noble Scholarship
• Nora C. Beach Excellence In
Leadership Scholarship
LaGerrica Simmons
• Ohio Association of Public
School Employees (OAPSE)
Scholarship
• Paul C. Deevers Memorial
Scholarship
Arionne Sims
• Bedford Lions Club Joseph
Kerekes Scholarship
Terrence Sotillio
• Bedford High PTSA
Scholarship
Joseph Travarca
• Bedford Rotary Foundation
Scholarship
• Friends Of The Southeast
Library Scholarship
• Fuhrmeyer Memorial Art
Scholarship
Terry Warner
• Bedford Heights Scholarship
Award
Jordyn Williams
• Bedford City Schools’
Foundation Scholarship
• Southeast Region Chamber
of Commerce Scholarship
Elise Sampson
• Bedford Association
of Administrative and
Supervisory Personnel
(BAASP) Scholarship
• Bedford City Schools’
Foundation Scholarship
Raelene Jones
5
Pictured left to right: Elise Sampson, James Dowdell III, Seth Thomas, Anthony Piazza, Ahmir Robinson, Mariah Nelson, Raelene Jones, Eyani Forte, and Robert Taylor
Rotary Club Honors Career
and Technical Education Students
Outstanding Bedford High School Career and Technical Education (CTE) students were honored at the Bedford Rotary Club’s
57th Annual Recognition Banquet May 12th at the Birchwood Party Center in Walton Hills. Dennis Castiglione, a seasoned
businessman in the field of marketing, as well as in the film industry, gave the keynote address.
Teachers select CTE student award winners based on their demonstration of a positive attitude, professional image, academic
performance, initiative, judgment, dependability, creativity, leadership, craftsmanship, and job performance. Bedford is part
of the Maple Heights-Bedford Ohio Career Technical Planning District, and as such, the two districts share programs for
the most efficient delivery of career-technical program offerings for all the students. This year’s honorees, along with their
business sponsors and teachers, are:
Classes housed at Bedford High School:
Classes housed at Maple Hts. High School:
•Anthony Piazza, Automotive Technology
Sponsor: Tim Lally Chevrolet; Teacher: Rick Marzen
•Alycia Pames, Cosmetology
Sponsor: Mary Kay Cosmetics; Teacher: Renishia
Houchins
•Raelene Jones, Biotechnology
Sponsor: Swift Filters; Teacher: Nathaniel Marron
•Mariah Nelson, Business Management
Sponsor: La Gra Jewelers; Teacher: Glenn Yorkievitz
•Ahmir Robinson, Cisco Networking
Sponsor: Bailey Communications; Teacher: Thomas Jansen
•Brandy Moore, Financial Management
Sponsor: Sutherin-Melling Insurance; Teacher: Felicia McMiller
•Eyani Forte, Health Science
Sponsor: University Hospitals; Teacher: Thelma Ford
•Elise Sampson, Marketing Education
Sponsor: Oswald Companies; Teacher: Melanie Kirin
•Seth Thomas (Maple Hts. student), Building and
Property Management
Sponsor: CT Consultants; Teacher: Buddy Bell
•James Dowdell III (Maple Hts. student), Media Arts
Sponsor: Liberty News & Views; Teacher: Tricia
Wintergerst
•Robert Taylor (Maple Hts. student), Teacher Academy
Sponsor: Non Ferrous Heat Treating, Inc.; Teacher:
Richard Wakefield
•Trechelle Thigpen (Maple Hts. student), Administrative
Office Technology
Sponsor: Walmart; Teacher: Deborah Kleinhenz
School supply lists for the 2015-2016 school year can be found on the district website
at www.bedford.k12.oh.us, on each individual school’s home page. There is no
supply list for Bedford High School. The district’s dress code can also be found
on the website under the Parents drop-down menu from the home page.
6
Did You Know?
The following interesting facts about
members of the Class of 2015 were
taken from BHS Principal Samuel J.
Vawters’ commencement address:
• The “Class with Class” was the first
to earn a 94.1 on the Ohio Report
Card’s State Performance Index.
• J’Nae Bennett, Charise Grimes,
Amanda Robinson and Mya
Tomasek, originally from the Class
of 2016, graduated a year early.
They worked hard to earn two years
of credit in one, to become true
members of the Class of 2015.
• Four members of the most winning
football team in Bedford Bearcat
history will attend universities on
athletic scholarships: Justin Harris
to Ohio Dominican University;
Justin Robinson to University
of Findlay, Anthony Copeland
to Wayne State University (full
academic and athletic scholarship);
and Marquise Copeland to
University of Cincinnati (full
athletic scholarship).
• A leader in his class, Ahmir
Robinson will continue his
education with a scholarship to
The Ohio State University to study
engineering.
• David Miler, a foreign exchange
student from the Czech Republic,
earned a 3.68 accumulative GPA
after only nine months in the
United States.
• Tiana Lovelace earned two
associate’s degrees before receiving
her BHS diploma.
• Ryanne Harris was awarded $40,000
of scholarship money (plus local
scholarships, see “Scholarship
Winners”, page 5) to attend Ursuline
College and major in nursing.
Ranked 8th in the class, she earned
an accumulative GPA of 3.915, while
battling three different illnesses.
• Raelene Jones is the recipient of
the University of Mount Union
Presidential Scholarship, which
covers the full four-year tuition
of $117,100. Ranked 3rd in the
class, this class leader has been the
president of Marching Band and
National Honor Society and captain
of varsity softball and girls varsity
soccer.
• Paris Searight, ranked 1st in the
class with an accumulative GPA
of 4.245, already owns stock in
Disney, General Motors, Nike,
McDonalds and Google. She ships
out August 4th to Lackland Air
Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.
Kerry Boscarello Selected as 2015 Shipley Award Winner
One of the most coveted awards an educator can receive in the Bedford City Schools is the Woodrow W. Shipley
Memorial Award. Glendale preschool teacher Kerry Boscarello was presented with this prestigious award by the Bedford
Board of Education at the end of the school year. She has just completed her 16th year with the Bedford City School
District.
Well-loved by her students and coworkers alike, Boscarello has been described by her colleagues as a leader, a true
friend, someone who goes above and beyond the call of duty, is compassionate and always
smiling, with a wonderful sense of humor. “She laughs when the students say really
terrible knock-knock jokes (they are 3-5 years old, after all), at their silly faces, and most
importantly, she always laughs at herself,” said one colleague.
“When thinking of a preschool teacher, especially a teacher of special needs children,
many people would automatically assume the teacher must be compassionate and
have a love of children,” said Makenna Bullington and Lisa Alonzo, two new
Glendale teachers who Boscarello mentored this school year. “But she has the
compassion of Mother Theresa! You can see the love she has for her students
shining in her eyes. She treats each and every child with compassion and
empathy simply unrivaled by anyone we’ve ever met.”
The Shipley award is bestowed annually to a school district teacher or
administrator for exhibiting compassion, generosity, tolerance, fairmindedness, respect, leadership, intelligence, community service, love of
children, and sense of humor--qualities exemplified by Woodrow Shipley
in his 30-year career with the Bedford Schools, and later, as a member of
the Bedford Board of Education.
Bedford High School music teacher Gary Kaplan, last year’s Shipley Award Winner, presents
Kerry Boscarello with the 2015 Woodrow W. Shipley Award at the May 28 meeting of the
Bedford Board of Education.
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Your Schools is a publication for residents of the Bedford City School
District, including the communities of Bedford, Bedford Heights,
Oakwood, and Walton Hills. To request additional copies or for more
information; contact Beth A. Russell, Communications Coordinator, at
440-439-4520. No material may be reprinted without written consent
of the Bedford City School District. ©2015.
The Bedford City School District does not discriminate on the basis of race,
color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities
and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth
groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries
regarding the District’s non-discrimination policies: Richard Dillman,
Director of Pupil Services, 475 Northfield Rd., Bedford, OH 44146.
Administration
Andrea Celico, Ph.D., Superintendent
Linda A. O’Neill, Assistant Superintendent
Janet M. Pavlic, C.P.A., Treasurer
Jerry Zgrabik, Business Manager
Bedford Board of Education
Barbara A. Patterson, President
Phil Stevens, Vice President
Debora J. Kozak
Tim Tench
Merry Anne Hilty
Beth A. Russell, Editor
Visit our website for updates and additional information,
including supply lists, bus routes and dress code: www.bedford.k12.oh.us
Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/BedfordCitySchoolDistrict
Follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/BedfordCSD
Congratulations to the Bedford City Schools’
2015 Teacher, Employee, and Rookie of the Year
Congratulations to the 2014-2015 Teacher, Employee, and Rookie of the Year. Tricia Wilms was
named Teacher of the Year. A 26-year veteran teacher, Ms. Wilms has been with Bedford Schools
her entire career. She is currently a second-grade teacher at Glendale Primary School and
previously taught at Carylwood Intermediate School. Glendale’s head custodian, Paul Stoltz,
was named Employee of the Year. He has been with the district for 22 years, and worked at
Carylwood and Columbus Intermediate Schools before being appointed to his current position
in 2008. Megan Evans was named Rookie of the Year. She just completed her second year of
teaching science at Bedford High School, as well as coaching volleyball and softball.
l-r: Tricia Wilms, retired Superintendent Sherm Micsak, Business
Manager Jerry Zgrabik, Paul Stoltz, Glendale Principal Nora Beach,
Megan Evans, and Assistant Superintendent Linda O’Neill.
Directory of Services
Schools
Carylwood–––––– 440-439-4509
Central––––––––– 440-439-4225
Columbus –––––– 440-786-3322
Glendale ––––––– 440-439-4227
Heskett –––––––– 440-439-4450
Bedford High–––– 440-439-4848
Administration
Superintendent –– 440-439-4777
Assistant
Superintendent––– 440-439-4377
Business
Manager–––––––– 440-439-4333
Treasurer–––––––– 440-439-4670
Departments
Athletics–––––––– 440-439-4588
Curriculum
& Instruction–––– 440-439-4412
Pupil Services ––– 440-439-4363
Transportation ––– 440-439-4234
Nutrition
Services –––––––– 440-439-4530
For a department or service
not listed above, please call
440-439-1500.
8