Kenston School News

September 26, 2019 by Staff Report

Rotary Senior

Robert Sunderhaft has been selected Kenston’s Chagrin Valley Rotary Club Student of the Month in September.

He carries a 4.376 GPA and has earned five academic awards over the past three years, in addition to being recognized with the Excellence in Mathematics Award, President’s Award for Academic Excellence and Cleveland Technical Society Achievement Award. Robert has been honored as a scholar-athlete, as well as earning AP Scholar with Distinction honor for earning all 5’s on his Advanced Placement exams. He placed 23rd in the National Trig Star Competition. Two years in a row, he won first place at the West Geauga STEM Science Fair math contest. His engineering project placed third at the Ohio State Science Fair and earned the Clock Award, the top prize, at the Ohio State Fair through 4-H Engineering.

Although he takes the most pride in his academics, he enjoys extracurriculars of the golf team and Math and Trivia clubs. He is a member of National Honors Society and volunteers within the school community tutoring students in math and science. He has been part of the Kenston Symphonic Band, Concert Winds Band, Jazz Band and pit crew for “Seussical the Musical” playing trombone.

Outside of school, Robert participates and has leadership roles in GEAR 4-H Robotics Club and Boy Scouts. He has been an active member of Boy Scouts since first grade and has earned 32 merit badges, Order of the Arrow and his Eagle Scout award. He volunteers his time being a buddy to children with special needs at the Holy Angels Breathe program and various organizations through Boy Scouts. He also enjoys caddying at The Country Club in Pepper Pike.

Although he is still undecided on which college he will attend next fall, he plans on being a double major in applied mathematics with either engineering or science major.

KHS Students of the Month

Kenston High School is pleased to announce their Students of the Month for September.

Students selected for Student of the Month honors were ninth-graders Micah Andrews and Madeline Ramsey; 10th-graders Hannah Lamont and Peter Maldonado; 11th-graders Jennifer Adams and Elise Bradbury; and 12th-graders George Sell and Aubrey Taylor.

Class Officers

Kenston High School Class Officers were elected by their peers. Representing the freshman class of 2023 are Chase Tuller, president; Robert Phillips, vice president; Nicholas Lai, secretary; and Samuel Koltas, treasurer.

Representing the sophomore class of 2022 are Ryan Peters, president; Michael Yost, vice president; Ronja Markoff, secretary; and Max Yost, treasurer.

Representing the junior class of 2021 are Chloe Peiffer, president; Nathan Gaskins, vice president; Alexa Busby, secretary; and Adler Weber, treasurer.

Senior class of 2020 officers are Gianna LaSalvia, president; Logan Vargo, vice president; Anthony Alandt, secretary; and Megan Sparks, treasurer.

Parent Teacher Conferences

On Sept. 26, Kenston High School will host parent conferences for the first nine weeks while Kenston High School’s will occur on Oct. 10.

The parent teacher conference is an opportunity for parents to learn about their child’s progress in school and for teachers to gain insight into their student’s home and community lives. Both schools utilize an open format with teachers at individual tables set up in the gym, where parents can stop to see any or all of their child’s teachers.

High school conferences are scheduled from 4-8 p.m. with middle school conferences from 3-7 p.m. During the school year, utilize Infinite Campus to check one’s student’s weekly progress.

Distinguished Hall of Fame

The Kenston Alumni Association is extremely proud to induct the second class into the Distinguished Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame celebrates and pay tributes to alumni and staff who have earned distinction in their lives and careers and in the Kenston community.

The program was developed by a planning committee with representatives from the Kenston Alumni Association and the school district including teachers and students. Honorees were selected through a nomination and application process.

The inaugural class of 2019 honorees are:

• William Berger, educator: retired Kenston science teacher, co-founded Kenston Field Experience, the summer geology field trip, created lifelong learners and stewards to the planet and community;
• Alan Gurd, M.D.,team physician: volunteered for 30 years as team physician for Kenston Athletics, retired orthopedic surgeon with Cleveland Clinic;
• Robert A. Lee, Ph.D., educator: retired superintendent of the Kenston Local School District guiding the district to educational and community excellence;
• William O’Neil, educator: retired Kenston English and Russian teacher, devoted to the education and development of youth;
• Lt. Col Andrew Rule, USAF, 1996: F-15 and F-22 fighter pilot has flown countless combat missions.

Alumni and community members are invited to attend the induction ceremony on Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium.

Homecoming Parade

The Kenston homecoming parade is Oct. 3 at 6 p.m. The parade will feature the Kenston band and drill team, building floats and individual participants. The theme is Arabian Nights.

The parade will begin in the high school staff parking lot. Please park between the middle school and intermediate school and view from the lawn of the middle school.

Community Tailgate

Join for the community homecoming tailgate Oct. 4 from 5:30-7 p.m. at Kenston Stadium. Before the 7 p.m. kickoff versus Willoughby South, mingle with the community cuisine from local food trucks. The homecoming court will be announced and the king and queen crowned during halftime.

Safe School Hotline

The Ohio Department of Education has partnered up with Ohio Homeland Security to offer all Ohio school districts a safe and secure tip line. The tip line can be anonymous, or callers have the option to leave contact information. Any threatening information or suspicious activity will be assessed by the Homeland Security team to determine the level of the threat. If it’s determined to be a high-level threat, they will communicate directly with local law enforcement and the school district.

Information that is only school related such as bullying, social media issues or other school related information will be routed directly to the school administrators to address.

Safer Schools Ohio tip/text line: 844-SAFEROH or 844-723-3764.

KCE Seeks Board Applicants

The Kenston Board of Education is seeking a community member to serve as a representative on the Kenston Community Education (KCE) Board of Directors. The board is comprised of three representatives appointed by the Auburn Trustees, Bainbridge Trustees and the Kenston Board of Education. They meet monthly on the fourth Sunday at 7:30 p.m.

Qualifications would be to be a resident of the Kenston Local School District that can bring new ideas and enrichment programming to the communities. It is a three-year volunteer term.

By Sept. 30, interested individuals need to submit the following documents of application: one-page statement of interest, resume including background, education, experience, professional accomplishments and major strengths, and two letters of recommendation. Please send applications to: President, Kenston Board of Education, 17419 Snyder Road, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023.