District News

With art, one can express themself, whether it’s an experience or about a period of life, it’s vulnerable, sometimes relatable, and allows others to see from a new perspective. Ten Winton Woods High School students from Carol Becci-Youngs’ Winton Woods High School advanced art and AP art classes were recently honored at area contests and art shows.

Completing high school is an academic milestone Winton Woods City Schools looks forward to celebrating every year. The community showed their support by decorating graduation ribbons to honor the class of 2021. This is an annual tradition that has spanned nearly three decades and occurs during graduation week. Students can look forward to seeing their name adorned on a blue and green ribbon located south on Winton Road near the high school. “This is a reminder to the students that the community is proud of them. It affirms it is important to us that you graduate,” said Ribbon committee president Rogie Vollmar.

This year, Winton Woods High School’s graduation class earned over $7 million in scholarships with more scholarship dollars coming in daily. On Thursday, May 14, Senior Honors Night was held in the Winton Woods High School (WWHS) auditorium to celebrate the seniors’ academic success and award scholarships.

Registration and conditioning has begun for fall sports. If your student is interested in participating or finding out more information, please call the coach listed below.  

Over 300 Winton Woods High School scholars received their diplomas at the 2021 Commencement ceremony held at the Cintas Center. Warrior families, staff, alumni, and students were proud to be with one another to celebrate this momentous occasion. “This graduation ceremony was different. We know it being held in person meant a lot to our families,” said Winton Woods Assistant Principal Princess Crenshaw. “It felt like another step forward in the right direction towards things becoming normal again; after a year, we all feel we overcame together.” The energy was set high for the evening as students entered the Cintas Center. Cheers that were louder and lasted longer followed for students who had reached new heights.

For the sixth year, Winton Woods City Schools was selected as a 2021 Best Communities for Music Education by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation. Every year, districts around the nation are selected based on their top quality programs in the fine arts and like previous years, Winton Woods exceeded expectations. “We have a dedicated group of hard-working passionate teachers who love the students and the community. It makes a difference,” said Winton Woods High School (WWHS) Band Director Danelle Ashbrook. 

It was the beginning of the season for the Winton Woods High School Lacrosse team when they were told to hang up their cleats and put away their gear. Their season, like the rest of the world, had come to a sudden halt. Now with a new year, season, and fourteen members, two familiar faces have returned to the field - not as players but coaches. Warrior alumni and former lacrosse players Nigel Akalaanana, Class of ‘19, and Daris Stallworth, Class of ‘18, were both recruited by Head Lacrosse Coach Christian Twitty as students when they began the game and now as members of the staff team. “My goal is always to bring alumni back to coach,” said Coach Twitty.

And the curtain was drawn for the last time. Winton Woods High School Theater Department said their final goodbyes to their former high school auditorium also known as the David Bell Performing Arts Center on Sunday, April 18. Theater and longtime students who had spent the entirety of their academic career in what is now the former high school were glad they could complete their final show at a building they had come to know and love and call a second home.

“I do not know who I would be without you,” said Winton Woods High School senior and honors diploma scholar Alycia Mcbeil to her Choir Director Beth Miller. “I am going to miss you,” Betisha Pohkrel said somberly to her Guidance Counselor Kim Goins. These and other similar heartfelt words were shared throughout the evening of the Superintendent’s Honors Diploma Scholars dinner. An annual event dedicated to celebrating scholars who received an honors diploma recognized by the state of Ohio for high achievement. Students were also provided with an opportunity to honor their “most influential teachers.” Staff members who have had the greatest impact on their lives and academic career. This year, thirty-nine students were honored for achieving this prestigious academic award.

Winton Woods Middle School began the softball season with fourteen seventh and eighth-grade girls, twelve of whom never played the game before. However, these young ladies continue to show they are excited and ready to step up to the plate. In 2019, Head Softball Coach Kelly Rozelle and Assistant Coach Courtney Wilson became the first coaches of the girls middle softball program - a program the district had not offered before. The team was started to create more opportunities for students and provide a head start for those who wanted to play in high school and eventually in college.

Three exceptionally hard-working Winton Woods High School students will be collecting more than a high school diploma on May 20. This incredible trio consists of Mya Jackson, Renaud Noubieptie Kamgang, and Nicolantonio Prentosito. They have much to be proud of. The trio has attained a challenging academic achievement by earning enough college credits to obtain an associate’s degree. 

It is no secret that Winton Woods City Schools prioritizes providing nutritious meals for all students. From creating a Nutrition is the Mission meal distribution bus to implementing a new menu of fresh fruits and vegetables for elementary students’ daily snack time. These are a few of many reasons why the department received the No Kid Hungry Emergency Grant from the Children’s Hunger Alliance (CHA) and the GenYouth Covid 19 Emergency School Nutrition Relief grant from the HC Schott Family Foundation. These funds will support child nutrition and meal distribution. Also, for the third consecutive year, the district received the Breakfast Champion Award for demonstrating collaborative and innovative school breakfast practices.

Winton Woods City Schools held its first ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new 7-12 North Campus building on March 8. Students, parents, alumni, community, state and local leaders, and staff were all present to celebrate this exciting historic occasion. The event kicked off with a parade by the “best band in the land” - Winton Woods High School’s marching band, led by Ms. Dani Ashbrook.  Before entering the socially distanced beautifully decorated high school gymnasium, guests were greeted with a specially designed mask that read, “Love our children, schools, and community.”

The Board of Education recognized three Winton Woods High School counselors for  receiving awards for their exceptional work with students. Christina Jeranek, Winton Woods High School counselor who serves students in Grades 11 and 12, was selected as the 2020 Career Quest School Counselor of the Year. She was informed by Career Quest in February of 2020 with a surprise celebration with staff, before the pandemic, in the Winton Woods High School media center. Jeranek was honored at the district’s November board meeting for her award. “I appreciate this honor. I love working with our students at Winton Woods and it gives me such happiness to do what I can do to help promote their success to their future. Thank you.”

Winton Woods Primary North student Drayden Booker received the Kiwanis Character is Key award for resourcefulness at the November board meeting. Former Primary North Principal Kevin Jones had a lot of great things to say about him. “Drayden is a problem solver, a student that knows how to adjust to any situation, and uses his resources to succeed. Each and every day, he uses positive relationships with everyone in our building to gain positive rapport with his classmates and every adult he encounters. 

Winton Woods High School Counselor Brad Tash says Allahnah Dedrick was selected as the Kiwanis Student of the Month award because, in his words, “Well, she is awesome.” The ninth grade student has accomplished a lot since her short time at the high school, including receiving no grades lower than an A. Her demanding schedule includes a full list of honors courses.

In March, the Winton Woods City Schools Board of Education postponed student award recognitions at its monthly meetings due to the pandemic. However, that did not stop the district from acknowledging its recipients of those awards for their academic excellence. Winton Woods Class of 2020 graduate and March Skyline Student Athlete of the Month Makayla Adams was one such student who was honored at the November board meeting. She was hailed as a team player who enjoyed great success on the bowling, cheerleading and softball teams - all sports to which she brought positive impact and impeccable skills - while maintaining a 3.6 grade point average.

Winton Woods Elementary School is proud to announce Julie Helton as the Skyline Teacher of the Month for November. “We would like to nominate Julie Helton as the Skyline Teacher of the Month,” said Principal Nelson Homan. “Mrs. Helton does a great job challenging her students to do their very best on a daily basis. She has a positive attitude with the entire Winton Woods Community and it shows. She builds positive relationships and fosters a nurturing learning community in her classroom. It is with much pride that we nominate such a valued team member as Mrs. Helton.” 

Winton Woods City Schools is proud to announce Mark Docter, Director of the Child Nutrition Department, as a WeThrive Champion award winner. The organization recognizes exceptional leaders who put “community wellness in action.” For years, Docter’s efforts have reached beyond cafeteria rooms transforming what meal distribution and accessibility to fresh foods look like for Winton Woods students. On December 3, Docter, along with thirteen other recipients, were honored on a virtual live award ceremony that was streamed on Facebook where family, friends, and staff members tuned in to watch.

Three Winton Woods High School seniors will now be attending four years of college for free. The Questbridge National College Match Scholarship program selected Warrior scholars Faith Augustine, Franck Djidjeu, and Elizabeth Okemmiri for a full-ride scholarship to a college of their choosing. The powerful academic organization connects the nation’s brightest students to the top universities, colleges, and opportunities.

Ten Winton Woods High School (WWHS) students’ are now sharing their artwork with the world online. After being selected as winners of the Cincinnati Art Museum’s 10 x 10 Teen Art Expo and the Taft Museum’s Artist Reaching Classrooms 2020 exhibition, the students' art pieces are featured in virtual exhibitions. "I am so proud of my students and love the fact that everyone can see how talented they are,” said Fine Arts Director Carol Becci-Youngs. “My students are the best!"

Thomas Gray, Winton Woods City Schools new transportation director is no stranger to education. With family members who work in school districts, and a mother who was passionate about education, he knew it was only a matter of time before he found himself in education as well. After college, Gray entered into the U.S. Marine Corps and retired after 20 years of honorable service,  he worked diligently in the logistics and transportation career field. “I always had a love for transportation,” said Gray. He served as a transportation router for Cincinnati Public Schools, he served as  Director of Transportation for Northwest Local Schools and the Executive Director of Transportation for Dayton Public Schools.