“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.
The evening began with families, students, community members, and staff enjoying a tasty and nutritious meal including desserts and refreshing beverages prepared by the Child Nutrition Department. Followed by a ceremony where each student was honored and joined on stage with their most influential teacher. “We know it was not easy for students to pick only one staff member,” said Winton Woods High School Principal Eric Martin. “This is a special place filled with special people who care deeply about our students and want to prepare them for the next chapter of their life. This year has been an unbelievable year but hearing about how much our Warrior staff has impacted them means we’re doing a lot of things right.”
The class of 2021 diploma honors scholars are Valedictorian Nicolantonio Prentosito, Salutatorian Franck Djidjeu, Paige Adams, Faith Augustine, Mark Behrendt, Monica Escobedo-Barahona, Khina Darjee, Sabina Gurung, Darin Haag, Ayden Hassertt, Derek Hooten, Bianca Horner, Alexander Ingram, Briana James, Ashleigh Johnson, Zy’Reaija Johnson, Camron Love, Elizabeth Mavridoglou, Alycia McNeil, Cris Mejia-Sanchez, Chrishay Miles, Hailey Miller, Kavita Nelson, Renaud Noubieptie Kamgang, Elizabeth Okemmiri, Victoria Okoh Okai, Jezreel Otchere, Leasiah Payne, Yadira Perez, Betisha Pokhrel, Lailah Robinson, Sheridan Semes, Emma Smith, Michael Stothfang, Anjana Sunwar, Samba Sy, Jamel Trwumasi-Ankrah, Shima Upreti, Alejandra Velasquez.
To receive an honors diploma from the State of Ohio, students must meet all but one of the following criteria, unless it is a minimum graduation requirement:
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4 units of Math
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4 units of Science
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4 units of Social Studies
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3 units of World Languages
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1 unit of Fine Arts
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3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale
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27 on the ACT or 1280 or higher on the SAT.
To receive a career technical honors diploma from the State of Ohio (indicated with an asterisk), students must meet the following criteria:
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4 units of Math
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4 units of Science
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4 units of Social Studies
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2 units of World Languages
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4 units of Career-Technical Courses
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3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale
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27 on the ACT; 1280 or higher on the SAT; WorkKeys: 6 or higher on Reading for Information and 6 or higher on Applied Mathematics
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Field Experience
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Portfolio
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Additional Assessments: earn an industry-recognized credential or achieve proficiency benchmark for appropriate Ohio Career-Technical Competency Assessment or equivalent.
Michelle Mitchell – Xavier University for theatre
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Naomi Hall – Kentucky State University for psychology/biology and minor in business
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Riley Lauchard – Columbus State Community College for double major in literature and Spanish
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Seth Okoh Okai – University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College for information technology
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Shelley Mbidi – Cincinnati State Technical and Community College for electro-mechanical engineering
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Stephanie Trubl – Cincinnati State for early childhood education
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Tajammal Hill – The Florida State University for finance
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Taylor Fields – University of Cincinnati (Blue Ash Campus) for African American history
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Yoselin Ramirez Lopez – Loyola Marymount University for undecided
PHOTO CAPTION: The district celebrated 27 Honors Diploma Scholars by surprising them at their homes with their Most Influential Teachers and a delicious nutritious family-sized packaged dinner. Photo by Drew Jackson.